I donāt usually ever talk about things like this, especially to strangers and I will probably delete it eventually butā¦.
Iām 21. And from like age 8-20 I had a problem with stealing. And it was not because I necessarily needed to but I would usually just take candy from stores. And as stupid as sounds, thatās literally the only reason why I did itā¦because I wanted candy. Only time I took something I actually needed were some batteries and a phone charger but nothing beyond just that. I also took money from my classmates lockers and I even once almost took someoneās iPod, but I was so afraid that I ended up giving it back the next day. But whatās even worse is the fact that I have taken some of my brotherās birthday/Christmas money that he keeps in a stash. Rough estimate at least $250. Could be less. And yes I do feel horrible about it all. And I wish I could go back in time and have never done it to begin with. Fast forward to now I have successfully fought off the urge to shoplift because I know how bad it can be for your career if you get caught. Iām currently a full time college student so I donāt work. My dad gives me a certain amount of spending money every week to kind of help me. And I have been putting a bit of it back in my brotherās stash as restitution. And no I havenāt told my brother because we do have a good relationship and heās one of the closest people to me. I appreciate any advice. Feel free to call me a pos as well.
Edited Update: thanks for the advice and support. So basically after going back and forth about it I decided to tell my mom pretty much what I told this thread. I didnāt go too deep into detail in terms of listing every single thing I took but I told her enough to know whatās going on. Surprisingly, she didnāt get angry about it. Disappointed, yes. But I know she was glad I told her. She reminded me in her humorous fashion that she āreserves the right to get mad.ā So this weekend we plan on going to the bank to get money out of my savings and give it to my brother. Right now, heās at school in a difference city and wonāt be back until Spring break. Thatās when I plan on telling him and giving him the money and will offer to buy him lunch afterwards. I do feel better now that my mom knows but the mission isnāt accomplished until my brother knows. Like I said, him and I are fairly close and we rarely fight over anything besides petty stupid stuff, so I donāt know how he will react. Prayers and good luck would be appreciated as well as any additional advice.
Stealing is morally neutral, but can be a dick move if itās against individuals/results in the dispossession of something a person needs or cares about. But shoplifting/stealing from businesses is fine. They consider it inventory loss the same as if they dropped a bottle on the floor. Itās written into their spending calculations and is an expected part of business. And quote unquote āsmall businessesā still had enough capital to start a business in the first place, and are ultimately insignificant anyway since the petit-bourgeoisie is doomed to forever either become big bourgeoisie or become proletarianised/unpropertied; proletarianisation is a progressive force and Iām not bothered if members of the petit-bourgeoisie become proletarianised, not that they will anyway purely from someone shoplifting lol.
Just follow the standard advice. Donāt shit where you eat (donāt shoplift somewhere youād be upset if you got banned from) is the main one I adhere to. If youāre only shoplifting small amounts I wouldnāt worry about cops either, for small amounts theyāll just ban you from the store, at least where I live idk about everywhere.
For individuals, I wouldnāt steal from them if you care about your relationship with them. If they find out theyāll probably be upset. If I found out someone stole from me Iād mostly be upset at the dishonesty. So itās good that youāve been honest with your mom and are going to tell your brother. If it were me, I would be thinking, if you need something from me you couldāve just asked. Although it sounds like youāre not stealing because itās something you particularly want or need, but just because you find stealing fun. In which case I would say just try to limit your stealing to shoplifting, or piracy if it scratches the same itch. Or steal from people you find particularly contemptible I guess.
Beware. A lot of stores, namely large chain stores, are tracking people who shoplift with cameras and wonāt press charges until youāve cumulatively stolen enough for it to qualify as a serious offence with jail time and permanent criminal record.