I really want an answer to this from people who are not reddit-brained libs. I have seen some good points elsewhere about this contributing to a cycle of abuse and control, causing parents to withdraw their kids from school to beg instead, etc., but if someone is desperate enough to humiliate themselves by begging on the street, shouldn't we give to them? Or should I feel bad that I did give to them?
Yeah, it's insidious. I'm constantly upset by the idea that my parents or friends will judge me for "giving people handouts" and i always have to push it down. Culture is real, and powerful, and strongly effects how we think and behave. Pushing back against violence in our culture is like swimming up river - a constant effort, and wouldn't it be so much easier to just float with the current?
I hope things will get better, soon, for everyone.