This study was conducted in the city of Bahir Dar to investigate trends, situations, impacts and measures of begging. It employed mixed research methods, and cross-sectional and approximating longitudinal design with cross-sectional designs, and an integrated vulnerability model which focuses on cross-cutting combination of socially produced vulnerability and natural hazards leading to peoples' vulnerability which in turn exposes them to begging. It involved 98 participants drawn from beggars; officers from governmental, non-governmental and community based organizations; leaders of religious organizations; the public; tourists and a tour guide by employing census, convenience and purposive techniques of sampling. While qualitative data collected through in-depth and key informant interviews, personal observation and survey data having qualitative nature were analyzed through content and thematic analysis, quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS for windows version 20.
The findings revealed that Bahir Dar city shows an ever increasing trend of beggars largely fueled by rural migrants. Sizable portions of beggars are physically strong; actively participate in different income generating activities in addition to begging; hate their begging and have strong desire to withdraw from it. However, they live in degrading and discriminatory type of social life; one of the unhealthiest life styles and poor access to basic services the urban life demands. By obstructing traffic and tourist flows, and participating in deviant and criminal acts, beggars in the city presented pressing socio-economic and health impacts on themselves, residents, city’s security and tourism development.
Dealing with the issue of begging in the city, however, was found at a nascent stage with the involvement of only one Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and continual shift of responsible government bodies; poor coordination among many and lack of it with some of the concerned organizations. Currently, one of the most responsible government bodies in the region, BoLSA, has only 23.57% coverage to 140 districts. Therefore, due concern should be given by all governmental, non-governmental, religious and development organizations to act independently and jointly to deal with the impacts of begging by creating public consciousness, mobilizing the public and conducting multidisciplinary research aimed to deal with the subject.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Acknowledgements
- Table of contents
- Acronyms and Abbreviations
- Glossary of Local Terms
- Dedication
- Abstract
- CHAPTER ONE
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
- OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
- DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
- ORGANIZATION OF THE THESIS
- CHAPTER TWO
- REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
- CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
- Structural Functionalism
- Rational Choice Theory
- Exchange Theory
- The Culture of Poverty Theory
- Integrated Vulnerability Model (IVM)
- REVIEW OF RELATED EMPIRICAL STUDIES
- Global Experiences
- African Experience
- Ethiopian Experience
- Begging in Bahir Dar
- SITUATIONS OF BEGGARS
- IMPACTS OF BEGGING
- MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH BEGGING
- CHAPTER THREE
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA
- DURATION OF THE STUDY
- RESEARCH APPROACH
- SOURCES OF DATA
- METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
- Survey
- In-Depth Interview
- Key Informant Interview
- Observation
- SUMMARY OF METHODOLOGICAL TRIANGULATION
- VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY
- ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- FIELD WORK EXPERIENCES
- CHAPTER FOUR
- SITUATIONS OF BEGGARS
- INTRODUCTION
- TRENDS OF BEGGING IN BAHIR DAR CITY
- Trends along Demographic and Residential Categories of Beggars
- Trends along Places of Begging
- Trends in Techniques of Begging
- Trends in Almsgiving Practice of People
- Trends in Income of Beggars
- SITUATIONS OF BEGGARS BEFORE THEY START BEGGING
- Beggars Experience of Work Before They Start Begging
- Beggars Assets Before They Start Begging
- CURRENT SITUATIONS OF BEGGARS IN BAHIR DAR CITY
- Social Situations of Beggars
- Economic Situations of Beggars
- Health Situations of Beggars
- Results of Some Extended In-Depth Interviews from Beggars
- CHAPTER FIVE
- IMPACTS OF BEGGING AND MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH IT
- IMPACTS OF BEGGING
- Economic Impacts
- Health Impacts
- Social Impacts
- Impacts on Residents, the City and Its Tourism Development
- MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH BEGGING
- Measures Taken By the Government
- Measures Taken By Religious and Non-Governmental Organizations
- Measures Taken By the Public
- Responses from Beggars on Measures of Begging
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis investigates the complex phenomenon of begging in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, examining its social, economic, and health impacts. The research aims to understand the situations of beggars, the reasons for begging, and the measures taken to address this issue. The study seeks to highlight the challenges and opportunities in dealing with begging and ultimately, to propose actionable recommendations for improving the well-being of those engaged in begging.- The social, economic, and health situations of beggars in Bahir Dar.
- The factors that contribute to begging in the city.
- The social, economic, and health impacts of begging on individuals, families, and the community.
- The effectiveness of existing measures taken to address begging.
- The development of recommendations for improved interventions and policies.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the study by introducing the background of begging in Ethiopia, specifically focusing on Bahir Dar. It outlines the problem statement, research objectives, significance, delimitation, and the organization of the thesis.
- Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing literature related to begging, exploring both theoretical perspectives and empirical research. It covers global, African, and Ethiopian experiences, as well as previous studies on begging in Bahir Dar.
- Chapter Three: Research Methodology: This chapter details the research design and methodology used to collect data for the thesis. It includes a description of the study area, duration of the study, research approach, sources of data, methods of data collection, methodological triangulation, validity and reliability of the data, ethical considerations, and field work experiences.
- Chapter Four: Situations of Beggars: This chapter presents the findings of the research regarding the situations of beggars in Bahir Dar. It analyzes trends of begging in different demographic and residential categories, places of begging, techniques of begging, almsgiving practices, and income of beggars. It also explores the situations of beggars before they started begging, including their work experience and assets. The chapter concludes with an examination of the current social, economic, and health situations of beggars.
- Chapter Five: Impacts of Begging and Measures Taken To Deal with It: This chapter focuses on the impacts of begging, covering the economic, health, and social consequences. It also delves into the measures taken by the government, religious and non-governmental organizations, and the public to address the issue of begging. The chapter concludes with responses from beggars themselves on the measures taken to deal with begging.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research focuses on the complex social issue of begging in a rapidly developing urban context, specifically in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Key concepts and topics include urbanization, poverty, social vulnerability, economic marginalization, health disparities, social exclusion, public policy, and development interventions. The study draws on theoretical frameworks such as structural functionalism, rational choice theory, and the culture of poverty theory to analyze the situations and impacts of begging.- Quote paper
- Dessalegn Mekuriaw (Author), 2015, Begging in a fast growing city. Situations and impacts in Bahir Dar, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/507655
