Thieving Teenagers, Teen Theft Problems, Teenagers Who Steal, Advice And Self Help
Teenagers who steal, advice on teens who rob. Labelling a person, teenager or not, as a thief, is not nice, especially if it is yourself of one of your children. But the fact is, a higher percentage of teenagers will steal, than those who will not. Teen theft problems are not uncommon, if your children steal from shops, then they are amongst a high percentage of teenagers who rob or steal from convenience stores, so you are not alone.
Reasons For Teenagers Stealing
Each teenager is a stroppy individual with their own character and ideas which are beyond most parents deciphering. Many teenagers will steal little things, shoplifting, until they get caught, then will not do it again through fear of imprisonment or other types of punishment. This type of stealing is more down to trying to see if they can get away with it and is not a serious problem. Many of their parents have already done the same when they were young.
Advertising campaigns by international conglomerates ensure their slogans are aimed at the proposed market audience. Teenagers who watch these adverts, which are aimed at them, will see that the product is a must have for fashion or some other reason. If they cannot afford it, they will steal it. This is not habitual stealing, but out of a sense of necessity for individual teenagers to fit into a group.
Habitual stealing is similar to collectormania, it is something they feel compelled to do. Even if the merchandise stolen is worthless, useless or just plain stupid, a person who does this needs some kind of psychiatric help.
Stealing For Financial Gain. This is very sad, causes anguish within a family unit, ruins lives and businesses, and ends in imprisonment. This is usually done by teenagers who have deep problems which their parents may not know about, such as a drug habit, alcohol addiction or debt through gambling. Many teens who steal in this way may want money for various reasons and will steal to order.
Forced Into Stealing. Some teens have been known to of been forced into a life of crime by bullies or more sinister groups or organisations. Occasionally their wayward girlfriends or boyfriends have coaxed them into doing these deeds through playing with their emotional heart strings.
Self Help
Teenagers who steal have a problem, not to dissimilar to others who have drink or drug problems. Stealing is a problem which needs to be recognised and addressed. If your teenage son or daughter is stealing, you need to discover why. If they have been caught stealing once, and it appears that they do not steal anymore, all well and fine.
If they continue to steal, simply ask them why. It may cause an argument, but it also lets them know that you are onto them. If they are continually stealing, watch their demeanor whilst they are at home. If they are fidgety and cannot seem to sit down without having to do something for ten minutes, they may have a slight or growing habit, such as drug use or alcoholism. Check their finger nails for regularly bitten nails. Smell them when you hug them or walk past them, see if there is an odour to try to determine if they are on something.
Casually search their room or private space. This is an invasion of privacy, but you could be saving their lives. Look for loose tobacco or any type of drug paraphernalia, or shopping lists which provide a list of items which other people require. If this all seems clear with nothing found, then at least drugs are not the cause. If drugs or alcohol are the problem, the contact your local governing body for a list of self help groups who will assist the family in helping their children.
Gambling
Teenagers with gambling problems may steal to feed their addiction. It is down to the parent or their partner to help ease them off of this habit. Talk to them before their obsession becomes their downfall. Talking and listening are both great healers, but they will only accept help if they want it. There are many organisations such as gamblers anonymous or government funded groups within your local area which will help. The groups are there for parents and partners as well as the individual.
What To Do
Getting a person to admit that they have a problem with stealing is the very first issue. Once the cause for the thefts have been discovered, either work on the cause such as gambling or drugs. If it a case of they have no job and need money, encourage them to participate in one of the government funded programs to help assist with employment prospects.
Help is always at hand, you just need to ask the right person.
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