It is also important to acknowledge that not all begging is driven by genuine need. Organized begging networks do exist, sometimes involving exploitation of children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. In these cases, begging becomes a profession managed by intermediaries who profit from others’ vulnerability. The law’s focus on “professional” begging is partly aimed at addressing this phenomenon. However, distinguishing between coerced, organized begging and individual acts of survival is often difficult in practice.
The historical experience of the Tehran beggars’ training camp offers valuable lessons for contemporary policy debates. Its emphasis on skill-building and reintegration recognized that sustainable solutions require more than punishment. While the camp was not without flaws—such as limited resources, inconsistent outcomes, and elements of compulsion—it represented an attempt to address the human dimension of begging. By contrast, a purely punitive approach risks treating symptoms rather than causes.
Modern research in criminology and social policy consistently shows that deterrence is weakest when crimes are driven by necessity rather than opportunity or greed. Begging, in most cases, falls into this category. When individuals beg to meet basic needs, the threat of punishment does little to change behavior unless alternative means of survival are made available. This insight suggests that criminal law, while perhaps necessary to address exploitation and organized networks, is insufficient as a standalone response.
