A video showing a woman in Kuningan, West Java sending her children to beg while she sat back and relaxed at a warung (small eatery/convenience store) has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage over the apparent child exploitation.
In the video, members of the public accosted the woman for leaving her child to beg, telling her that she is able-bodied and should instead work to provide for her child.
In response to the backlash, the woman explained that they had no choice but to send her child out to beg.
“I don’t have a husband, my child is fatherless,” she said.
She also asserted that she was not simply chilling while her child begged, but was actively supervising and protecting them.
However, many netizens remain unconvinced by the mothers’ justifications. They argue that there are other options available to her, such as seeking assistance from the government or local charities.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by single mothers in Indonesia, who often struggle to provide for their families due to a lack of resources and support (not to mention the negative stigma toward them). It also highlights the need for greater government assistance and social welfare programs to help these vulnerable families.
In the meantime, concerned citizens are urged to report any instances of child begging or exploitation to the authorities, and to support local charities and organizations that provide assistance to families in need.
