I don't know about your area, but in the Los Angeles area, there are resources for the homeless that go unused. I've become very hard nosed on the subject. A woman who is knocked up and has no regard for her fetus? I feel for the potential baby, not for the mother.
I believe in what I call the "Law of 7-Eleven."
It's similar to Field of Dreams...If you provide, they will stay. If people give panhandlers money they will: 1) stay in the area (in this case, in front of the 7-Eleven); 2) You provide motivation for not changing their situation; and 3) You provide the means where they do not seek the social services that are available.
True, many of these people are mentally ill and all points may not apply, but providing a handout is possibly more detrimental to the panhandlers that one might think... as well as a drain on your neighborhood and wallet.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2003-10-25 01:05 am (UTC)I believe in what I call the "Law of 7-Eleven."
It's similar to Field of Dreams...If you provide, they will stay. If people give panhandlers money they will: 1) stay in the area (in this case, in front of the 7-Eleven); 2) You provide motivation for not changing their situation; and 3) You provide the means where they do not seek the social services that are available.
True, many of these people are mentally ill and all points may not apply, but providing a handout is possibly more detrimental to the panhandlers that one might think... as well as a drain on your neighborhood and wallet.