Recently, street beggars become a major issue in Indonesia. This
happens since the government found that street beggars have higher income than
those who work in offices or other jobs. Due to this fact the governments
enforce a region law (Perda) DKI Number 8 2008 on section 4 states that
everyone or every institution are not allowed to be a beggar, street vendor,
singing beggar, and car polisher. this policy also forbids people or
institution giving money to beggars, singing beggars, and car polishers or buy
something to street vendors. If somebody does not obey this policy, they will
get punishment by paying fine 20 million rupiahs. However, some people believe that it is
essential to give money to them since they need money in fulfilling their daily
needs. Consequently, although the government already made that policy, some
people keep giving the street beggars. One of their considerations in giving
money is Indonesian Constitution Section 34 states that (1) Poor people and
unattended children are protected by country.
Based on this policy, they believe that money given to street beggars is
street beggars’ right. Indeed, giving
money to street beggars might help them to increase their welfare. If it is not
us helping them, then who will? Generally, giving money to street beggars is in
dilemma. Yet, giving money to street beggars gives positive and negatives
impact in our societies in terms of responsibility, humanity service, and
fortune.
Helping someone needing helps is good. Especially, for those who
are in a bad economical condition, such as a beggar. By giving money to street
beggars there might be some positive aspects. Firstly, Lou (2013) states that
it is our responsibility to assist those with less than us who are genuinely
going through a hard time. We have more than enough to go around after all.
According to World Bank Development Indicators, 2008 shows that almost half the
world, which is over 3 billion people, living on less than $2.50 a day. Over
80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day, and that gap is widening between
rich and poor, given the richest 20% of the world’s population actually
accounts for over ¾ of the world’s income. Vannath, Director, Centre for Social
Development (2004) states that in terms of my own moral satisfaction, it is
heart breaking to see the misery and suffering of people. Secondly, Bushell (2013) argues that if you
unintentionally enable mine people to buy alcohol while one is able to buy
themselves a square meal, you have done humanity service. If your real concern
is that they intend to spend it on drugs, but you would like to help, this
approach is a good one. If you still do not want to help them at least then you
know that is your time, money, or fear that is standing in the way – and
nothing to do with them. In addition, on occasions someone will ask me for
money and just one look in their eyes and I can see myself – but worse off. When
you sit down with homeless or hungry people you will hear sad stories. Anything
you can do to help is not a waste. A warm meal can make a person’s week.
Thirdly, based on Debate.org 2012 states that beggars are people too and they
have experienced a bit of hard luck, but they need to eat and buy many o the
things we take for granted. You never know what life can be like until you do
not have the basic necessities in life. Granted some of these individuals are
con artist, but do not let that discourage you from helping a fellow human in
need. Live by the mantra “pay it forward” because kindness will come back to
you and your time of need. Moreover, beggars are the most desperate people in
this world. Give them money while we are able to give. Help them while we are
able to help. We do not know how our life is in the future, better help from
now than we just leave them and let them suffer.
In contrast,
although giving money to street beggars gives at least three benefits, it also
brings some negative impacts. Reach (2013)
states that handing loose change to sad, disheveled, beseeching suitors on high
streets gives more harm than good. Firstly, Swain (2013)
states that because of the incontrovertible evidence that the vast majority of
people begging on the streets are doing so in order to purchase hard drugs.
Moreover, Moen (2012) argues that there is no guarantee that the beggar
who receives the money will spend it in ways that increase the quality of his
life. He might well spend the money on alcohol or drugs, and end up financing
organized crime. These objections carry some weight, but they are not decisive.
What is decisive is the fact that if you give money to beggars, you almost
certainly spend your welfare budget helping the wrong people. Even if you follow a
well thought out strategy to eliminate this problem, however, you are still
almost certainly giving your money to the wrong people. The reason why is that,
presumably, you live in the developed world—and so do the beggars that you walk
past on the street. The vast majority of beggars living in the developed world,
moreover, have a quality of life that millions in the developing world can only
dream of. Secondly, Kompasiana article (2012) states that there
are a group of residents of village go to the town to be a beggar. They
consider that being a beggar is an easy job.
Secondly, in terms of safety, there might be high level of crimes in our
society. We give them money regularly, one day, they will not only beg money,
but also insist us or somebody else to give everything they want. Thirdly, Moen
(2012) states that for every dollar that we give to a beggar, the more
lucrative we make begging and, comparatively, the less lucrative we make
working. This is bad, for we want people to work, not beg. Working is
productive; begging is at best neutral and often a burden and a nuisance. Moen
(2012) advises as well that in seeking to help
others, we should not merely give to those who are geographically close to us
and whose appearance elicits our sympathy. Rather, we should give to those who
are the worst off, who can be helped the most with each dollar that we give,
and who are the least responsible for the situation that they’re in. We should
(i) consciously decide how much of our money we are willing to spend on helping
others, (ii) find the
most efficient charity, (iii) donate money to
that charity, and (iv) say no the next
time a beggar asks if we can spare a dime. Therefore, giving money to
street beggars gives bad impacts as well.
In a shell of
nuts, we are in dilemma about giving money to street beggars. Yes, it helps
them to make their economical conditions get better. On the other hand, we also
create some negative things. Eventually, it depends on us whether we give them
money or not. If we think we need to give them, we may give them money. Yet, if
we think it is not necessary to give them money, we may not give them money.
References :
http:/www.phnompenhpost.com/national/begging-question-give-or-not-give
By: NAILAH SA’DIYATUL FITRIAH
Academic
Discussion
No comments:
Post a Comment