NEVER TURN ANYBODY BACK FROM YOUR GATE: OPINIONS OF ISTANBUL TRADESMEN ABOUT BEGGING PHENOMENA

Abstract

This article handles the point of view of Istanbul's tradesmen to the begging phenomena under the frame of a field study realized in 2009 summer. Qualitative research techniques are used in this research which aims to put forth the point of view of Istanbulites to the begging phenomena which is declared as a social problem by the public institutions. 55 in-dept interviews and 1 focus group meeting are realized. Tradesman, members of different professions and religious functionaries are questioned in the interviews. An the focus group meeting is realized with the members of the municipal police forces (Zablta) of istanbul. In this article, we are analyzing the answers given by tradesmen -one of the main targets of the beggar mobiIity-to the questions about their approach to begging phenomena and beggars themselves. What are the descriptions of tradesmen about begging phenomena?, Which kind of begging strategies do they confront with? Which kind of beggar groups do they meet? Why do they give money to beggars? Do they percieve beggars as a threat for themselves and for their families? Do they perceive begging as a social problem? The answers taken for these questions, showed that tradesmen, as a traditional social category, still attend to their historical beliefs-values and functions.