Saudi Affairs
69% of Child Beggars Are Saudi: Study
By Mahmoud Ahmad
Jun 23, 2003, 10:10

A survey reveals that 69 percent of child beggars in Riyadh are Saudis. But it also shows that 68 percent of child street vendors are foreigners. 56.6 percent of child beggars are girls.

The study was conducted by Dr. Abdullah Al-Yousif of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University of Riyadh, Al-Watan newspaper reported.

It found that 88 percent of the mothers of begging children are illiterate, while nine percent did not go beyond elementary education.

Sixty percent of the children’s fathers are married to another woman, while 50 percent of fathers are unemployed, 62 percent are illiterate and 34 percent did not go further than elementary school, the survey found.

The study also showed 90 percent of families with children who beg live in public housing. None of the fathers cared about their children’s education.

Dr. Al-Yousif in the study said the children’s age ranged between six and eight years. The majority of the beggars are Saudis, a majority among them girls who beg with their mothers.

The researcher warned that young beggars were at risk of turning to crime if their plight and that of their families were not addressed.

Physical handicap as a result of polio or partial paralysis is the most common excuse used by beggars.

Punishment of expatriate beggars included fines and deportation to their respective countries. Saudi beggars were handed over to charity organizations and social insurance offices.

Beggars from various poor countries come to the Kingdom particularly in the holy month of Ramadan in the guise of pilgrims.

© Copyright 2003 by ArtArabia.com