I'm not sure I can buy into the contributing to begging behavior as I saw no begging from the airport to the marina or on Caye Caulker and San Pedro. My wife and I were having some beers out in the sand at Crazy Canucks and two young girls tried to sell us bracelets. We didn't want one so they hung around and we talked to them for about 20 minutes and learned they were Kekchi (sp?) Maya and had 8 brothers and sisters. I bought them each a bottle of water while we talked and they seemed appreciative and drank it rather fast. The next day I went looking for them to give them some little stickers with different sports balls and some with more girlie stuff. The little one had the biggest smile.
Last year we took a bay cruise in Huatulco where we spent a few hours at a little beach village. A lady that was on the boat with us brought some cheap bubble-blowing toys, hair scrunchies, and a few other little toys bought at a dollar store. These kids were pretty poor (not imposing my American standards) and were really excited.
I also tipped waiters/waitresses 20% even though guidebooks say 10% is standard, is that considered a faux pas or insult by some? I try to operate under the passage "to whom much is given, much is expected". I bought some meat pies on the beach and offered one to the night guard at PV. I also gave him an unopened bag of fruit trail mix we brought down and we left the unopened/unused groceries for the housekeepers. These are little things to us but I can't help but think they are more useful to some of the local folk. Blast away.
I just can't believe that giving a few kids a cheap toy is going to create a bad behavior or cause an insult.