How is them having mental health problems an argument for NOT giving them money? They didn't get the necessary health care they needed, so fuck them? Personally, I've never had a homeless person be overtly aggressive towards me, even if I usually look (not stare) at them as I pass them by. Edit: I'm not implying that you're staring at them.
My rule has now become that if they don't ask me for money, I will give a bit. If they only day it as I'm passing by, I may still give some, but I've decided that I will not support people who walk up to you and ask. I find it to be scoring and disruptive. To be honest, I haven't completely gotten around to following that rule every time, though. It's hard to follow a middle ground like this! It was easy back when I never gave money, then I would just automatically say no. Now I have to make a adopt of the moment value judgement, and it can be difficult to say no to someone who's down and out. I agree with this woman that they are people, and I will consider them as such. They probably don't enjoy panhandling. It's something you do when you're desperate. It doesn't cost me much to give a bit, and it makes a big difference to them.
It isn't. It's an argument for: The article is about "valid techniques to handle panhandling" based on the assumptions that panhandlers are rational human beings. My whole point is that the assumption is statistically invalid. No, you're implying I'm a heartless dickhead who uses insanity as a reason to forego compassion. So thanks for that.How is them having mental health problems an argument for NOT giving them money?
don't for a minute think that being nice and volunteering and shit will keep some meth-addicted schizophrenic from deciding you're smiling at him because the voices told you he masturbates to Bette Midler and you want to steal his fillings.
Edit: I'm not implying that you're staring at them.
With the dehumanizing tone in that paragraph, I think you brought that upon yourself. Having mental issues, which is the statistic you cited, is not the same as being a cartoon character loon with imaginary birds flying around your head. It certainly doesn't mean that you're incapable of rational thought. "Mental health problems" is a pretty vague term. It could be anything from mild depression to raging schizophrenia. Correct me if I'm wrong, but to me it sounds like you're saying that if you give a homeless person money, they most likely won't even understand what's happening, due to their raging insanity. Forgive me if I think the implied next thought is "So why bother?"
I'm neither correcting you nor forgiving you. You missed this: and this: Which is why you're ignored now.Note - I helped count homeless one night. I put a social worker through grad school. And every Friday, for four years, I had dinner with a pair of psychiatrists that treated the homeless 50-60 hrs a week.
Sure - if it makes you feel better, be nice. If it makes you feel better, volunteer or shit, just give money. Union Gospel Mission has gotten a couple hundred bucks off me.