Why Children STEAL? How To Prevent It?

Children take things that do not belong to them for many different reasons. These reasons can differ from child to child, or any one child can steal for a number of different reasons.

1)Parents may knowingly or unknowingly reinforce stealing behavior.

Parents who do not punish their children when they take things that do not belong to them may be reinforcing the behavior.

2)Modeling.

Children learn by watching their parents. Parents who take things that do not belong to them, for example, parents who take supplies from the office for use at home, may be teaching their children that in some instances stealing is all right.

3)Some children have no money of their own to buy what they want.

Children who don't have their own money to spend may steal what they want.

4)To make themselves look good in front of peers.

Some children begin stealing because their peers are doing it and they want to be accepted by a certain peer group.

5)A sign of behavioral/emotional problems.

Some children may steal as a symptom of some underlying problem.

PREVENTION:

There are many things that parents can do to prevent the onset of stealing behavior in their children.

1)Discuss and explain why stealing is wrong.

Parents should make sure that their children know why stealing is wrong. Parents can point out that stealing means taking something that rightfully belongs to someone else.

2)Teach ownership.

While children are very young it is a good idea for parents to begin teaching their children what ownership means. Parents can explain that people have a right to their own property, and that it is wrong to take something that belongs to someone else. Parents can use examples, such as, "How would you feel if someone wanted your favorite stuffed animal and just decided to take it?" Parents can also use examples that occur in everyday life, such as by explaining to children how one pays for things at the store and borrows books from the library, by pointing out things in the home that belong to different people, what gifts are, etc.

3)Teach appropriate ways of getting what one wants.

Parents should teach their children how to get what they want without stealing. For example, parents can suggest that children ask for things they want, save up their money to buy the things they want, etc.

4)Model appropriate behavior.

Parents should set a good example for their children by asking before they borrow things, by not taking things that don't belong to them, and by being open and honest.

5)Develop a close, open relationship with children.

Parents should make every effort to communicate effectively with their children. Children who are close to their parents are much more likely to take on their beliefs and values than children who don't have a close relationship with their parents.

6)Praise and reward honest behavior.

Parents should make every attempt to praise their children for being honest. The more parents praise their children's honesty, the more likely they will continue to be honest in the future.

7)Teach law of restitution.

Restitution is required of those who steal. If the child still has the item that was taken, he has to return the object to its rightful owner.

8)Teach the serious consequences of stealing.

Let them know that arrests, court hearings, even jail sentences may follow stealing.

9)Encourage good work habits and ambition.

Parents should constantly encourage their children that to obtain what they desire in the righteous way is to pay the price by earning it. Besides of giving more satisfaction to themselves, items obtained in this appropriate manner may be proudly displayed and openly enjoyed without any distraction from memories of dishonesty.

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~For this entry, I just copy and paste my previous assignment during my second year study. Right now, I do not have much time to update my blog regularly, so I come out with this nice topic that I want to share with all of you.

~Alhamdulillah, today's presentation goes well even though we have a small technical problem to play a video. One of my group member cried accidentally because of this problem but not a loud cry, just a cute one.hehe. I felt very guilty towards her and other group members because I am the one who was responsible to edit our slide presentation. But lot of thanks to madam, who is really appreciates our works and efforts for this presentation. Unexpectedly, we got "very well done!" words from our beloved madam...huhuhu..Syukur sangat-sangat..=)