Citation

Gillin JL. Am. J. Sociol. 1929; 35(3): 424-432.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1929, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/215056

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Beggars are a phenomenon of civilized society. Early substitutes for charity were slavery, remarriage, prostitution, clientage and vassalage. Social conditions giving rise to beggary and vagrancy.-Outlawry, economic and social disorganization due to changes in the economic order or political stability, breakdown of agriculture, religious ideals and practices, the Crusades, migrations, decay of feudalism, a plague or famine, all give rise to begging. Regulation of vagrancy and begging. -English methods were at first repressive, then after repeated failures charitable methods were tried. Finally in England and on the Continent labor colonies were tried, at first under private and then under public auspices. The Belgian and Swiss colonies are the best in Europe.