The Psychology behind my little crime?

Question

Alright, I remember when I was in about grade 6, I went over to this family's house with my family. Before I go on explaining what I did there, I'd like to point out some attributes about my character which I feel might be related to this question I am about to ask. For as long as I know, I've feared my father a lot. He "was" rather abusive until I grew older. Anyways, I could never saw my opinion, afraid that my father might get mad. I could never do what I wanted...I felt caged because of him! And so it kind of affected my social life, I always feared people's responses when I was honest, almsot feared what they would think of my if I did this or that.
Now, here's this matter I've been wondering about...and have become so baffled about. So, on that day when I went to that family's house, I wandered into a room and so a ring (A wedding ring, as I found out later on) resting on the dressing table. I don't, but something drove me to take that ring, not because I wanted it...but I just

took it and walked up to a closet and threw it behind these luggages stacked inside it. Later on that day, our family was getting ready to leave. Then, my father walked up to me, pinched me hard in the arm and dragged me outside and asked harshly: "Did you steal the ring?!" Father always asked me if I stole whatever was missing--even now, at the age of 19, I am always asked by my father if I stole his money, if he finds it missing. I DIDNT steal it though. Anyways, I told my father I hadn't stolen it. He told me that Mrs. Miller couldn't find her wedding ring. I felt guilty. A wedding ring! How precious it must be to that lady....and she'd probably never find it if I didn't tell her where I had thrown it. But I remained silent. I feared my father's reaction to be crime more than I felt guilty. So yah, the question is, WHY did I throw that ring into the closet?

Answer 1

You said that you felt "caged" as a child, never being able to do what you wanted...
I believe that the reason you stole the ring was that you saw an opportunity to do something, and no one could tell you not to do it. It was your secret. Your freedom. You would know that you did something, and no one could take that away. Its an act of rebellion, against your father, but in a passive way, since you were scared of standing up to him.

Answer 2

Personally I don't think it's about the ring. I think you had anger building up inside of you and (fearing your fathers reactions) didn't know how to express it. Throwing the ring could have been a way of doing that. It's easy in these situations to do little things like you did. Just to release even the smallest amount of tension. Don't feel guilty though you could have done far worse. Might be wrong but I gave it a shot ;-) Good luck.

Answer 3

That ring symbolized the eternal bonding of a man and a woman. You being abused and seeing the ring there then throwing it ay have been like trying to throw away the life the man and woman (your mom and dad) were going to create. Though it may last forever, it will be a tough relationship (between you and your father). You wanted to be independent by trying to get rid of the bonder that brought you to be caged when you should've been free. Beautifully explained story.

Answer 4

Children who are demeaned by their parents often live down to their parents' expectations. Once a child is told that she/he is stupid she/he acts this way. Probably the same happened to you, since your father accused you of stealing you decided to act it out.
Maybe you would feel better it you told this story to the lady whose ring you threw in the closet.

Answer 5

just a thought,could it have been a cry for attention?a desire to be noticed.or maybe nearly the opposite an act of suppressed anger