Motives behind thievery

Andrea Sessions, Reporter
January 20, 2010
Filed under Opinion

Thievery is not only a nuisance but also a crime, and is a problem store owners and everyday people have to deal with. Most people have had a brush with theft, whether they were the ones stealing or the ones getting stolen from. Almost everyone knows how bad it feels to have something taken from them and everyone knows that stealing is wrong. So why do people steal?

Although some thieves may have a condition called kleptomania that drives their actions, it is rare. In fact, most even have enough money to purchase the items they steal. The motives behind most thieving behavior aren’t such typical assumptions people would make and they vary tremendously.

Most people have a clear understanding that stealing isn’t right, but some are apathetic towards this. This is why it’s important for parents or guardians to instill morals in their children. Many thieves lack the knowledge to comprehend that stealing is morally wrong.

Ignorance is also a major issue behind theft. In a poor economy, prices are skyrocketing and shoplifting only bumps up the prices even more. People complain about how stores add on pre-calculated rates to prices based on the amount lost due to shoplifting the prior year. If theft rates went down, so would costs.

Those who steal most likely don’t realize how unfair it is to those who don’t steal and basically have to cover the cost for the items they take, or how much of a hassle it is for managers and employees to deal with the problems that arise from shoplifting. Many don’t fully grasp the seriousness and severity of the consequences that can result from stealing. I personally think it’s important for people to be provided an education on the impacts theft can have on their lives, others’ lives and the economy.

Out of all of the reasons why people steal, I think peer pressure is the most common. Adolescents make the largest age group that partakes in shoplifting, despite the fact that they make up a small percent of the population, and they often rely on acceptance from their peers.

Overall, education is by far the best hope to prevent thievery.