Why do people (both kids and adults) shoplift?

Question

I can't understand the mentality of someone who thinks, "Hmmmm, I like that. I deserve it. I'm going to take it." Is it their stupidity or a general lack of morals?

Answer 1

Lack of morals mostly. I think some do it for the thrill, but the consequences they face are detrimental to their futures. I work at Wal-Mart in a college town that has a large Criminal Justice Department and we have apprehended several C.J. majors, at that point they have effectively wasted whatever education they have received towards their degree as you cannot enter a Criminal Justice profession with a criminal record. What's worse, they usually steal stupid stuff like cosmetics, cheap DVDs, air freshner refills, thongs, etc.. Small things that are easy to conceal, but at $50.00 you're going to jail in our store. It's always a thrill for us as we run a training tape to see if they are going or not. If not, our loss prevention guy gives them a good scare.

Answer 2

Many people who shoplift can't explain either why they do it. They often have enough money in their pockets to pay for the items that they steal. Most shoplifters know that it's wrong and expect to be punished if they're caught. Shoplifting experts believe that these people are "acting out" by using shoplifting to relieve painful emotions, such as stress. Teens whose parents are going through a divorce, for example, may turn to shoplifting because of the feelings of loss they're going through. Others may use stealing as a way of getting back at someone, like a parent or a friend, who has hurt them. Shoplifters are also frequently bored or depressed. Experts at the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention say that teens also shoplift because they:

1. think the stores can afford the losses
2. think they won't get caught
3. don't know how to handle temptation when faced with things they want
4. feel peer pressure to shoplift
5. don't know how to work through feelings of anger, frustration, depression, unattractiveness, or lack of acceptance

Unfortunately, it's easy for shoplifting to become an addiction. Some shoplifters report that they feel a "high" when they get away with it — a surge of adrenaline that temporarily relieves any underlying emotional problems that may have prompted them to shoplift. So shoplifting becomes a habit that's hard to break.

Answer 3

It's lack of morals! People see something they want, and feel they can take it.

Answer 4

Adrenaline rush and the sheer sense of satisfaction when they get away with it... not to mention the fact that they don't need to worry about the cost of things they'd like to have.