your take on panhandlers/homeless

[Smallsteps]

I think in many cases it is based on personal experience in sharing that I knew someone who was a scammer my point of view may be more skeptical than others whom heard the stories and do not believe some people would do this if they were not truly homeless/ in need.
I very seldom give to anyone but occasionally do. It is always nice when it is a person whom is truly grateful for any help you give.

[StormRichards]

I do give to panhandlers when I have the cash. I don't care what they do with the money- that cash will impact their life FAR FAR more than mine.

You should just stop at the liquor store and buy a bottle of booze. Use a rewards credit card and at least you get something back for aiding someone's further demise.

[Snydley]

You should just stop at the liquor store and buy a bottle of booze. Use a rewards credit card and at least you get something back for aiding someone's further demise.

Here's a crazy idea- maybe in life it's not about 'me getting something back'.. and to say we are 'aiding their further demise' by giving any homeless person some cash, well, that suggests a horrible, condescending attitude. Maybe such a justification it makes it easier for you to ignore these poor people who desperately need help. Whenever helps you sleep at night (in your glass house).

Also, when you see someone panhandling for money, you should realize how incredibly easily that could have been you. You are NOT necessarily stronger or smarter or more hard-working than a homeless person; plenty of now homeless came from stable, loving homes, plenty have extremely high IQs, even college degrees from top colleges (in my brother's case)..but the neurons misfired, severe mental disease took over, and the health care and legal systems failed them.

I don't go out of my way to give cash to all panhandlers. I agree with DS that it certainly makes more sense to allot $$ each month to charities that help the homeless. However, if I happen to have a few bucks and am approached by a homeless person, if I can brighten and maybe help their day by giving to them I will certainly do so.

[StormRichards]

Here's a crazy idea- maybe in life it's not about 'me getting something back'.. and to say we are 'aiding their further demise' by giving any homeless person some cash, well, that suggests a horrible, condescending attitude. Maybe such a justification it makes it easier for you to ignore these poor people who desperately need help. Whenever helps you sleep at night (in your glass house).

The saying is "whatever helps you sleep at night" but I understand what you meant.

And I don't give to charities for my benefit or to get anything back. My comment about the rewards card was made in jest because in my opinion you aren't really helping anyone by handing a homeless person $5.

I also don't go walking around in life thinking about who I am better than. I also don't make assumptions as to how someone became homeless or what their life was like before they ended up that way. They are in a bad situation and I choose to help them by donating to local shelters who provide beds and food. I choose not to give them cash because pretty much all of the experts believe it is a bad idea.

[james.hendrickson]

You should just stop at the liquor store and buy a bottle of booze. Use a rewards credit card and at least you get something back for aiding someone's further demise.

Storm, giving money generates feelings of psychological well-being in many people.

See this research:

Prosocial Spending and Happiness
Using Money to Benefit Others Pays Off
Elizabeth W. Dunn, Lara B. Aknin, Michael I. Norton
Current Directions in Psychological Science
First Published February 3, 2014

Although a great deal of research has shown that people with more money are somewhat happier than are people with less money, our research demonstrates that how people spend their money also matters for their happiness. In particular, both correlational and experimental studies have shown that people who spend money on others report more happiness. The benefits of such prosocial spending emerge among adults around the world, and the warm glow of giving can be detected even in toddlers. These benefits are most likely to emerge when giving satisfies one or more core human needs (relatedness, competence, and autonomy). The rewards of prosocial spending are observable in both the brain and the body and can potentially be harnessed by organizations and governments

[StormRichards]

Storm, giving money generates feelings of psychological well-being in many people.

See this research:

Prosocial Spending and Happiness
Using Money to Benefit Others Pays Off
Elizabeth W. Dunn, Lara B. Aknin, Michael I. Norton
Current Directions in Psychological Science
First Published February 3, 2014

Although a great deal of research has shown that people with more money are somewhat happier than are people with less money, our research demonstrates that how people spend their money also matters for their happiness. In particular, both correlational and experimental studies have shown that people who spend money on others report more happiness. The benefits of such prosocial spending emerge among adults around the world, and the warm glow of giving can be detected even in toddlers. These benefits are most likely to emerge when giving satisfies one or more core human needs (relatedness, competence, and autonomy). The rewards of prosocial spending are observable in both the brain and the body and can potentially be harnessed by organizations and governments

James

All of the information you shared supports that Snydley (or anyone else) giving cash to a homeless person makes the GIVER feel better about themselves. I never suggested that this type of benefit didn't exist. However, in this type of example, people are feeling good about themselves for an act that experts believe does more harm than good.

And clearly even though many have this information, they choose to ignore it.

[james.hendrickson]

James

All of the information you shared supports that Snydley (or anyone else) giving cash to a homeless person makes the GIVER feel better about themselves. I never suggested that this type of benefit didn't exist. However, in this type of example, people are feeling good about themselves for an act that experts believe does more harm than good.

And clearly even though many have this information, they choose to ignore it.

What evidence is there that giving money to the homeless perpetuates their homelessness?

[StormRichards]

What evidence is there that giving money to the homeless perpetuates their homelessness?

James, I made my statement based on expert opinions I have seen on TV or read over the years. Not sure what evidence they have to support it. Just trusting them as an expert. I am sure there is plenty of information that can be obtained with a simple Google search. Here is one quote I obtained from doing as such.

One report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that six out of ten homeless respondents admitted problems with alcohol or drugs. Given the likelihood of self-reported bias, the actual number could be even higher. Studies on homeless income find that the typical "career panhandler" who dedicates his time overwhelmingly to begging can make between $600 and $1,500 a month. But since panhandlers often have no way to save their money, they're incentivized to spend most of their day's earnings quickly. This creates a tendency to spend on short-term relief, rather than long-term needs, which can feed this dependency on alcoholic relief.

[Snydley]

James, I made my statement based on expert opinions I have seen on TV or read over the years. Not sure what evidence they have to support it. Just trusting them as an expert. I am sure there is plenty of information that can be obtained with a simple Google search.

Google searches (anyone can post anything, true or not, on the internet), and TV "experts" I would not trust to provide accurate information.

[Milly]

There is a corner I almost always see different people at with signs. As a mother of three, I'm usually well stocked on granola bars and hand them out. Some people look at it confused, some smile at me like I'm silly, and some truly appreciate it. It doesn't matter how they react though because I know that I'm showing to God I will act. Because He knows that, He can trust me and send people my way when they need something.

The best I've heard of is a man who would keep a case of pop-top chili in his trunk with a job offer glued to it. If they are in a rut and ready to change their life, they can show up the next day for a free hair cut and sweeping the store. If not, he knows he at least feed them one meal.

I've also heard of people handing out printed directions to the soup kitchen they volunteer at.

[~bs]

i live in a very urban area so see and deal with homeless all the time. I'm not likely to give anything to homeless at all, especially the ones that say they're hungry. In my area, there's kitchens every few blocks that feed the homeless meals. So them saying they're hungry is bull**** because they all know where they can get a nice hot meal EVERY DAY for free.

I'm far more willing to give to them if they simply tell me the truth, like being homeless sucks, and I want a few bucks to buy a 40 to ease the pain for a few hours. THAT I can understand. The hungry excuse, I cannot.

I get it that being homeless sucks, and I'm not going to sit on my high horse and judge them that they need to use my money to assist them in being a productive member of society, which may or (most likely) may not be possible. So if they need some money to get drunk or high or whatever to escape their reality temporarily, FINE. The truth is far more acceptable to me than a bunch of lies used to help me feel better about giving money and for them to receive more money.

[StormRichards]

Google searches (anyone can post anything, true or not, on the internet), and TV "experts" I would not trust to provide accurate information.

The ones I refer to are the ones that have the credentials to back up their opinions. Like a person who has been running a homeless shelter for 20 years. Or a doctor that has conducted a study.

Just keep pretending that your $5 is doing someone else good.

[james.hendrickson]

The ones I refer to are the ones that have the credentials to back up their opinions. Like a person who has been running a homeless shelter for 20 years. Or a doctor that has conducted a study.

Just keep pretending that your $5 is doing someone else good.

Storm, fine...so how would you recommend a homeless person save money? The mostly don't have addresses so they can't put money in a bank account.

[97guns]

If a homeless person does not have the mindset to escape homelessness then they never will, begging for today is the same as people working for today, there is no vision of the future.

If I really wanted to get off the streets I would lie cheat and steal my way into any job, yes I have a drivers license and transportation, yes I have a social#, if they figure me out that I'm lying I move on until I get in somewhere. From there you begin renting a room, continue looking for better work, betterment is an ongoing never ending process

[StormRichards]

Storm, fine...so how would you recommend a homeless person save money? The mostly don't have addresses so they can't put money in a bank account.

When did this thread become about the homeless saving money? Someone living on the streets is far from being in a situation of saving money. An outcome that is NEVER going to happen if they are getting drunk (or high) every night from the "generous" people giving them money.