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The desire and emotion of getting something for nothing is something we likely all have. Advertisers know this which is why we see the word "free" just about everywhere. Most of us love to get a discount and some seek out discounts and free things more than others. Most of us know that to seek out an offer of something for nothing or at a discount is okay, but to take something without it being offered is not right. We know the legal consequences, and we know generally that it is not morally right and society does not approve if stealing.

This is not to say that advertising leads anyone to do wrong that otherwise would not, it's just an example of how the emotion works in humans. Many examples of stealing are obvious, the first on the list is necessity. If someone is truly down and out and no help is available, it can cause the mind to tell the person that stealing is the only way out. In reality, there is always help in the form of churches, shelters, and family or friends.

Addiction is another on the top of the list. As we've seen with examples of not only people with drug addictions, but also psychological conditions in which even rich celebrities have stolen. People with drug addictions facing catastrophic withdrawal symptoms will do just about anything for the next fix, this usually involves stealing, among other things. And then for some, there are also the mental conditions that make stealing an adrenaline rush for those that have the money to buy an item. Some teenagers chalk up another percentage of ones that steal for both adrenaline or lack of money. The instant gratification prospect comes into play with this type if stealing.

Poverty falls close to the top of list of why people steal as well. If you look at the pirates in Somalia, you have to ask if they even know stealing is wrong. Their attitude is such that if they capture a ship they own it, and if the owner wants it back they have to buy it. In some of these third world countries stealing is a way of life, they are uncivilized, have no societal rules or values and anything goes.

If we study toddlers, monkeys and the otherwise un learned, we can see that stealing may be a basic nature as yet un-tamed by society. When toddlers play they always seem to want what someone else has, it makes it more attractive if someone else has it. They are exhibiting the feeling of jealousy and envy and don't yet know that they can't just walk up take something from another. Monkeys may never learn the rule that we humans learn as in their worlds, the strongest get what they want. The biggest monkey gets all the bananas, and that's just how it is in their world. Which brings the next point, if a child is never taught not to steal will they grow up thinking it's okay? We've all seen the child at the checkout line grab a pack of gum or candy off the point of sale rack and think nothing of it. If mom or Dad says nothing it will teach someone to go with their instincts rather than conform to the rules of society.

I know it sounds odd to bring the point of stealing being an instinct but consider that we still have some instincts from our caveman ancestors. Like the monkey example, cavemen likely fought for their food, stole from others and had no remorse for doing so. Men are hunters, women are gatherers by instinct, and because our way of life has changed we have adapted, but we still get some of our urges from our distant ancestors nonetheless. It is society, and I suppose religion, that has adapted us to defy our own instincts and thus not to steal.

Learn more about this author, Rob Purifoy.
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