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When people steal to survive, you can at least understand it. These kind of thieves are the minority, however. Those that steal for thrills, or because they have been dared are another minority. They find pleasure in the rush, or are addicted to that rush. Another minority are those who steal something because they can't afford it, and just can't resist, as a child might steal a candy bar from the grocer. These are more rare, and can usually be helped to 'kick the habit' if it becomes one.

At the other end of the spectrum are the big thieves. They are the ones that attempt large scale robberies, like bank robberies and white collar embezzling.

Some, steal because of issues in their past. They may feel disrespected or threatened by a boss and decide to steal money to 'get even'.

The majority of people who steal do it for other reasons: They want money they are not willing to work for. If you are willing to walk into someone's house, break into their car, etc., then you must be of a mind-set that allows you to do that. These people may start out with a conscience of some kind, but their conscience is soon seared. Some actually believe they deserve the things they take, and some just don't care. They have little empathy for those they steal from.

Another type of thievery also involves a seared conscience. These folks are on drugs or alcoholics, and need money to fund their habit. They couldn't make the money and still be able to use like they want. These last two are the kind that scare me.

I have a family member who has been using drugs for years even though he's not yet 20. We do not like to have him at our house because every time he shows up something goes missing. He steals from people he doesn't know (and has been in jail), but he also steals from his family. He stole his grandmother's wedding rings while she was in the hospital. He stole a gold locket from me while my mother was dying in the hospital. I could go on. The thing is that being able to look someone in the eye after you have stolen something precious to them, takes a lot of guts. I approached him once to 'feel him out' about the rings. I broke down crying, talking about how those rings were my inheritance from my mother. I wasn't interested in their monetary value: they were precious to me and I had grown up knowing they would be mine some day. The family member was sympathetic, but denied doing it even though we know for sure it was him. That's so sad that a person could sink that low for drugs. As drug abuse rises in America we will see more and more of this kind of crime.

Regardless of a person's reason for stealing, the effects can be devastating to the person who's things have been taken. First there is a breach of trust. You never really feel safe again. Some things cannot be replaced, and often they are being sold at a pawn shop for a fraction of their monetary value. Thievery is a violation of a persons rights and of their personal security, and it is sad that we live in a world where it's on the rise.

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
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