Between six million and 11 million children shoplift every day, experts say. For
juveniles, the choice between a greedy grab of theft or obeying the law by paying
for merchandise can be complicated.
The Journal "Child Development" published a study in its January/February
issue linking bad behavior—including lying, cheating and shoplifting—in
children to their genetic coding.
While there isn’t an actual shoplifting gene, the proclivity for risky and
adrenaline-producing behavior can be inherited, according to the study.
When
these genetic penchants combine with societal pressures and peer
encouragement, young people can find the right decision hard to make. (Click play on the right to hear from kids.)
“Eighty-six percent of kids we educate tell us they know other kids who
shoplift,” said Barbara Staib, director of development and
communications for the National
Association for Shoplifting Prevention.
“Sixty-something percent of those kids hang out with kids who shoplift,
and we know that you adopt the habits of those you hang out with very
quickly.”
Teenagers admit there’s pressure from their peers to participate
in this type of illicit behavior.
”I know a few people who shoplift,” said Allie, a 13-year-old
Upper Manhattan middle school student. (Surnames of juveniles are
omitted for reasons of privacy.) “One of my friends, he talks about it,
like ‘I’m so cool.’”
James, 11, who attends the same school, also said there was pressure
from others to steal from stores. “They’re showing off to their
friends,” he said. “Sometimes, they don’t even really want to do it,
but their friends want them to do it.”
Staib feels there are important societal pressures that reinforce shoplifting in youngsters.
“They quickly learn that it’s worth the risk,” she said. “So when their
friends learn that, they tell their other friends, and so on, and so
forth."
While most teenagers understand that shoplifting is illicit behavior,
younger children often do not necessarily grasp the concept.
Thirteen-year-old Claudine admits she used to shoplift as a little kid,
stealing small trinkets when she got the chance. “I didn’t really know
any better,” she said about stealing things “like rings or little teddy
bears
or stuff like that.”
Sophie, another 13-year-old, also admits to shoplifting. “I stole gum
once,” she said. “I probably did have money, but there was probably a
line and I didn’t want to stand in it.”
Although most young people say their parents have done a thorough job
explaining that shoplifting is bad, Staib believes that social
pressures override parental instruction in many cases.
“It’s more on society on a whole than on parents as individuals,” Staib
said. “Because I can tell my daughter it’s wrong to shoplift, but if
she goes out with her friends and shoplifts 10 times and never gets
caught, my message is significantly diminished.”
Charles Sennewald, author of "Retail Crime, Security and Loss
Prevention," said juveniles should be dealt with differently than
adults in a way that punishes them but is also sensitive to their age.
“With respect to dealing with juveniles, store owners should bear in
mind these young people are still impressionable and that positive
results can arise from this negative contact,” he said. “Courtesy can
go a long way, and making contact a learning experience can contribute
to later decisions in future conduct.”
Staib added, “Fifty-five percent of adult chronic adult shoplifters
started as teenagers.” She emphasized that the petit larceny of youth
can lead to a lifelong destructive habit.
Sennewald agrees. “I think if they get into it and they are successful
it proves to be a rewarding experience emotionally and materially,” he
said. “A lot of kids get a bang out of it. It’s an exciting thing. You
get a rush, you feel good. If that is not interrupted, that tends to
recur with some people who don’t mature.”
“Like, people who are like born in bad neighborhoods and their parents
don’t really care about them a lot, they usually shoplift more and do
bad things more,” said Claudia, who is 13.
Most
kids, though, do learn that shoplifting is wrong.
“I
have been tempted but I definitely know not to do it," said Oliver, also 13. “My
parents have always told me never to do it and taught me about the
law."
NYC24 Photo Illustration/Ahmed Shihab-Eldin
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