Kids shoplift for a variety of reasons. The more you understand the reasons, the better able you will be to recognize the signs and signals that your child could be shoplifting. Here are some of the reasons children shoplift.
Children may use shoplifting as a means of acting out feelings of anger, frustration, depression, boredom, or confusion.
Some children feel neglected by family members or peers and steal as a way of acquiring attention from these people.
Most children who steal say they do so because of peer pressure. 86% of children say they know someone who shoplifts and 66% of these kids hang out with the shoplifter. (National Association of Shoplifting Prevention)
Often children steal simply for the thrill of doing something they know is wrong without getting caught. Most shoplifters say the excitement they receive from "getting away with it" is an unbelievable high that is more rewarding than the merchandise they steal.
Some children shoplift as a means of acquiring items that they cannot afford or that their parents cannot or will not purchase for them.
Children may use shoplifting as a form of escape in order to avoid thinking about problems at home, school, work, etc.
Some children simply have poor impulse control, meaning that if they see something they want they feel they need it now and will get it by any means possible.
Sometimes children simply have difficulty distinguishing between right and wrong and do not realize that If children feel that they are unworthy or unattractive or that certain areas of their lives are out of control, shoplifting can give them a sense of power.
Some children shoplift in order to support drug habits.
Some children suffer from kleptomania, a disorder that causes compulsive stealing.It is important to determine the cause of the problem in order to solve it and prevent it from happening again. Taking an active role in your child's life could save your child from making a decision to shoplift. Listening to your child's problems, concerns, and feelings on the issue of peer pressure and stealing is key. Help your child to grasp the concept that there are consequences for his or her actions and that shoplifting is a dangerous choice to make.
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