Old Lady Ethics Question??

Question

Okay, so my mom 'old lady sits' one of our neighbors. She goes over there throughout the day and helps her with all sorts of stuff. During the summer I go over there with her and just watch TV (she doesn't even have cable). One day the lady called me over and told me to go in the other room and get some crappy toy that was her sons. I brought it back and she said I could have it. But anywyz, when I was in there I saw a bunch of other stuff that I thought was cool and the last times I've been over there I've been taking a couple things. Don't get me wrong, it's not a lot of stuff, just little things that I know she won't ever need, and more importantly won't know is missing. This lady doesn't know what's going on. Mostly it's just jewerly stuff, knifes, etc.

I told my mom about it and she said that Ms. Natalie won't be around for much longer and that I should just leave her stuff alone because those are her belongings and maybe she will leave us something in her will.

but she never leaves her bed. she will never go into the other room and will probably never use that stuff again.

my mom even has her checkbook and uses it because she said ms. natalie will never leave the house and will never miss any of the money in her account. you have to understand people, she is going to die soon. we don't want the goverment to take her things or her money. but then again, it is her things and it does make me feel bad when i take them home and store them up.

Answer 1

It's really tempting isn't it ... all that stuff lying about and no-one guarding it. But that's why you and your mum are employed to 'old lady sit' ... so no-one does what you are doing.

This lady will one day die and you will get her stuff and it's true that maybe no-one will know what is missing or not, but there is one person who will always know. You.

And one day, Jason you will be old and then will you fear that someone you trust, a young chap you like and would like to give something to, might be sneaking behind your back and taking things you wouldn't like to lose from your home?

These things can be replaced now ~ it will be too late after she's dead, the damage will be done. If you take the things back now, you can relax and feel good, not bad.

Don't forget, too, that whatever you do, your Mum will get blamed for because she brought you there.

Think about it Jason and make the right decision, the one you can look back on in a few years and smile at yourself because you did right.

You know already that you don't much like yourself for what you are doing. You can stop now, and do something nice for this lady ~ care for her and protect her. Then you can like yourself and feel right with the world.

Do it now because it will be too late, soon.

You can do it.

Do something to make yourself proud, today :-)

Answer 2

Someone giving you a gift doesn't give you the right to steal from that, and unfortunately that's exactly what you are doing - stealing.
Even if she doesn't use or need or miss the stuff, the fact is that it is still hers and not yours. What if she wants to leave that knife to her grandson, or her daughter has an emotional connection to a certain piece of jewelry? You don't know this woman's story, or the story behind any of the items you steal. Just because you like it, or even if you think you "need" it, doesn't give you any right to take it. Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Do the right thing. Take all the items back. Tell the old lady that you think these items are really neat, and ask her to tell you about them - you may find out something amazing. And if she knows you like it, she may decide to give it to you... but the point it, that should be HER decision and not yours.

Your mother is setting a horrible example for you by stealing the woman's money - no wonder you think greed justifies theft. You are both taking advantage of this woman. Is this really the sort of person you want to be?

Answer 3

I don't see your question but here's my opinion on what you told us. The old lady may not miss the items you took and maybe they are not important / valuable, etc. But it's stealing and you should not take her things no matter how trivial is seems to you. Maybe she has children somewhere in the world who will sort thru her stuff (memories) after she passes away. You aren't part of those memories and should stay out of her back room. Work on your integrity and honesty and on becoming a good person -- you will be rewarded with confidence and strength of character, which will are much more important than anything else you will ever own.

Answer 4

How's it feel to be a THIEF? A thief who steals from an OLD LADY! Must make your old mom proud! You're not much of a man, are you. Pathetic!
If I was your mother, I'd wail the tar outta you and make you go tell that woman what you stole!

Answer 5

Well, have you ever considered ASKING her for these things. Of course, that would be very presumptuous of you. But if you don't ask, you're stealing.

(If you wouldn't mind posting the old lady's last name and city, I'd like to make a call to the police in that town.)

Answer 6

Ethically, you are stealing. Morally, that's wrong. Legally, you could go to jail.

The honorable thing to do would be to go to the lady, returning the things you've taken, and apologize.

At the very least, sneak the stuff back, then ask her if you could have the things you took.

Answer 7

What you are doing is a crime punishable by the law. you could get jail time and so could dear old mom. SAD SAD SAD Tell me how you would feel if that was your mom? I bet you wouldn't be able to apply your situational ethic then,now would you

Answer 8

How horrid of you to take advantage of an elderly woman. Sure, she may not use them anymore, but that does not give you the right to divest her of her possessions.

Give them back. They are not yours, and what you are doing is a crime, both legally and ethically.

Answer 9

What a jerk! You are stealing from an old lady who is dying and you want to know if that's okay?

Answer 10

Thief!