Children And Stealing
May 16, 2009
Children often indulge in lies or steal from others. Of these activities, stealing is a more troublesome problem because it abuses the trust of others. If left unchecked, the thefts can progress to larger items.
Some children deliberately steal, but most of them take things belonging to others just because they want the object. It is not a conscious theft. At a young age, kids do not think of things as belonging to others, so if they like it or want it, they take it.
When this behavior is noticed by parents, it tends to worry them. Instead of overreacting parents should first find out why their child has stolen. Below are some of the most common reasons why children steal.
Peer pressure – Kids feel a strong need to fit in. If a child comes from a relatively impoverished background, and faces rejection because of it, he may be tempted to steal.
Low self-esteem – They may feel a need to prove themselves trendy to other kids and have the latest gizmos.
Buying popularity – If your child is lonely or wants to be included in a certain popular group, he may try to buy the friendship of others with money or expensive objects.
A lack of proper understanding – Some kids are nave and unaware that they are doing something wrong. They may mistakenly take things thinking that they are their own.
They lack self control – This is a common problem. If a child covets something that belongs to someone, the urge to have it makes them steal.
Jealousy – Some children own many pretty, trendy things. If the child wants it, they may try to steal it.
Vengeance – If a child is upset with someone more privileged or powerful than himself, and he would like to hurt the person or make him suffer, he may steal from the person.
Attention seeking - Sometimes, when the child feels that he does not have the attention of the parent, he tries to compensate for this feeling of neglect by surrounding himself with pretty things belonging to others. It is also a cry for help and attention directed at his parents.
For thrills – Stealing is daring; it has its own thrill and excitement. Some children know that stealing is wrong but do it for the adrenaline rush. They also steal to impress their friends.
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