What is society to do with individuals who steal?  Laws are written to prevent theft and of course there are numerous monetary and physical penalties, depending on the type of theft and the person’s criminal record.  A punishment might be to reimburse the cost of the items, pay court fines and do community service, but is this enough to stop the behavior?  While there are some people who commit theft because they simply lack the necessary resources to survive, most do it because they simply feel compelled to, whether it's for the thrill of the chase or the satisfaction of the catch. In many cases, the behavior has become habit and paying a cash fine and working on the side of the road might not be enough to change the behavior.

A more beneficial solution for both society and to the individual caught stealing is to take theft and shoplifting courses combined with the above punishments.  Thankfully, courts across the nation have also seen the benefit in this education and have begun assigning them to criminals for rehabilitation purposes.

Theft classes are beneficial because most programs start by exploring why the offender is behaving in this way.  The offender first needs to understand why he or she steals, and what they feel right before, during and after the act is carefully analyzed.  

In general, the second part of the program is focused almost exclusively on victim awareness and personal responsibility. In order to change a criminal’s behavior it is important to lead them to truly regret their past mistakes. An integral part of what this section teaches is empathy towards other people; after all, if you care about what other people feel and what your actions might do them, chances are you won't do anything to hurt them. The concept of personal responsibility is also discussed.  This refers to the rules and conventions a person needs to follow if they expect to live peacefully and successfully in modern society.

In many cases, an online theft and shoplifting class is an excellent way to not only gain the knowledge you need to stop this inappropriate behavior, but also to fulfill your court mandate.  Simply check first with the court to make sure they will approve a web-based class.  Then it’s as easy as going online and selecting one that is provided by a licensed and practicing therapist.  Classes can then be taken in the convenience and privacy of your own home.  They are an excellent solution to individuals who are trying to work or fulfill community service projects during the day and simply do not have the time to fit in a traditional school room class at a specific time each day.  Also be sure to check that you are able to speak directly with a licensed professional in case you have questions or concerns that arise while you are taking the class.  Just like in a classroom setting, these online courses will provide you with a certificate of completion after you pass the final exam.  This certificate is what you present to the court to prove that you have fulfilled your mandate.  Quality online theft classes are definitely the way to go to help improve behavior.

This past weekend, Chicago Police arrested five teenage girls from shoplifting at Walgreens drug store.  They reportedly stole make-up and iced tea.  Police officers happened to be on the scene immediately because they were parked around the block responding to a separate theft that occurred at another store.  This bad luck for the teenagers involved will teach them a life lesson. 

According to shopliftingprevention.org, out of the 27 million shoplifters in the nation, 25% are kids. That implies that 6.75 million children in the country today are stealing from stores.  And, these numbers only reflect the cases in which offenders are getting caught!  The question is why are so many adolescents involved in criminal activity?

Studies show that the most common reason among young teenagers for stealing is peer pressure. In evidence of this, shopliftingprevention.com states that 89% of kids know other kids who shoplift and 66% of the kids hang out with those kids.  In this particular Chicago case, it is most likely that not all 5 of the teenagers were excited about the prospect of stealing, but they went along with it to fit in with their friends. 

Another common reason for stealing in teens is a lack of self-control. The child may be well aware that stealing is wrong but he just cannot control himself. Furthermore, stealing is a huge attention getter.  In many cases, children whose basic needs are not being met or who lack emotional support from their parents resort to stealing to fill the void.  

If you find out that your child is stealing, the very first thing a parent should do is to remain calm and collected.  Next, the parent should discuss the implications of what the child has done.  How has this affected the shop-owner? Discuss empathy with your child and how their actions have affected those around them.  Aside from the legal repercussions, insist that your child directly apologize to the owners and explain to them how they understand what they did is wrong.  Have your child write it down as well in a follow-up letter of apology to everyone negatively affected by the situation. 

As parents, what can we do to avoid or stop this poor judgment?  Open communication is extremely important.  The child must be able to talk about his actions with his parents in a calm, serious environment.  Most likely the court will mandate that some type of  behavioral modification class be taken.  To help guide your discussions at home, taking an online theft class is extremely beneficial.  These classes can be taken together as a family in your own living room, in front of the computer.  They will help improve the child’s thinking and behavior by discussing the impact of their behavior on society, reviewing why individuals steal, talk about empathy and how to deal with and stop these tendencies.  One of the most important personality traits that needs to be instilled is the confidence to overcome peer pressure and walk away from the type of situation that the 5 teens in Chicago found themselves in.  Give your teenager the tools she needs to be able to avert this type of peer pressure.  An online class with a length of 4 to 16 hours, depending on your needs, can easily be purchased today.

While there are hundreds upon hundreds of written laws which keep most societies relatively stable and prevent people from simply turning on one another, there is something more which allows us all to live together in the same environment without fearing for safety: respect and empathy. Even though the laws may not state it, most people who have been raised in modern society have learned that other people have just as much of a right as they do to live on this planet and that we should not only live and let live, but also care for each other and offer help in times of need. Needless to say, people who care for each other or have empathy for each other, are much less likely to get into a fight than those who can’t put themselves in the other’s shoes. 

As you can probably guess, criminals who cause physical or monetary harm to others, don't necessarily do it because the act makes them happy.  They do it because they do not have the ability to understand what others are feeling.  They simply cannot relate to them and understand just how much damage they are causing. A lack of empathy is often the root cause of why thieves are able to steal from others.  In most cases thieves do what they do because they cannot take into account the gravity which the consequences of their actions hold for other people… they simply do not care.

So, is it possible to do anything apart from sending them away to jail? Is it possible to help them change their ways without doing it through fear and repression? Is teaching empathy to thieves possible? Well, as it turns out researchers such as Edith Stein believe that empathy is something which occurs in us and cannot be taught… but the values of an empathic person can be taught. In other words, it is possible to teach a person how and why empathic people act, and it is even possible to have them implement attributes and behaviors of empathy into their lifestyle.  More clearly stated, teaching empathy to thieves will not turn them into empathic people but it will help them acquire their values.

Developing empathic attributes in a person is generally done through therapy-like sessions in which the person who is taught empathic values expresses him or herself in regards to various events which put them in their current position. What's important is to have the person get in touch with their personal emotions during these acts, as well as times in their life when they felt bad. It is very important to name and identify the emotions concretely as it can be very helpful for a person who spent most of his or her life hiding and suppressing emotions. The most important skill which needs to be taught is the ability to put one's self in another person's shoes and to imagine what they would be feeling. It takes a lot of practice and patience, and unfortunately there really is no secret or magic switch: it's all about helping the person establish a connection to their emotions and developing the ability to read what other people are feeling. With time, a person can definitely learn what they are doing wrong and why it is wrong.

If you or someone in your family is able to identify with this personality trait, taking theft classes online will teach you what empathy is and how to incorporate those feelings into your life.  A high quality website to try is www.theftclassonline.com.  You can take the classes as a family or individually in the privacy of your own home.  They are an excellent educational device if you notice this behavior in your child or yourself and will help you to stop bad behavior prior to getting a conviction. 

Online learning has become a popular alternative to traditional classes at the college level, for general ongoing educational purposes, and for court-ordered learning requirements. The benefits of online learning can far outweigh the negative aspects of  learning in a traditional classroom setting. Online theft classes can provide a private, secure setting as opposed to having to travel and take a class with other people present.

Traditional classroom settings are rarely one-on-one. Theft classes mandated by courts usually contain a class size of several people, and privacy can be an issue. When mandated to take a theft class by the court, many people feel a sense of shame or embarrassment in having to take a course which is multiplied when other people are present. Regardless of the fact that everyone in the class is there for the same reason, having to share a potentially embarrassing experience in front of others is extremely unpleasant. Taking an online theft class can alleviate that embarrassment while still fulfilling the mandate of the court. Court-ordered attendees can take the class in the privacy of their own homes without having to face an instructor or other students. They can learn at their own pace within a deadline without having to face embarrassing questions or the judgment often associated with court-ordered learning. By taking a class online, students can complete the court's requirement individually and mostly on their own terms.

Online classes also provide the added benefit of not having to travel to attend a class setting. If transportation is an issue, the pressure of having to travel to a classroom in order to attend a court-ordered class can be significant. This is especially true for young adults who have legal obligations to fulfill but their parents work and can’t take them to meet a specific classroom schedule.  Online classes alleviate that pressure and allow the student to remain at home without having to leave the privacy and comfort of their normal surroundings. Without the added stress of travel which is sometimes significantly far away, students can more successfully focus on the material and complete the course quickly and efficiently in a way that meets court requirements.

Most online theft classes fall into the guidelines of specific court mandates, but it is important to double check before signing up or paying for an online learning course. Most online learning centers list their certifications upfront and are open to potential customer inquiries upfront should there be a certification question. If the class does not fulfill the court requirements, the student will still have to take a court-approved course and can waste significant time and money. Certification should be double checked before any online course is purchased.

Online learning is quickly becoming a preferred alternative to a traditional classroom setting for all the reasons listed above. With most people preferring privacy and convenience to having to travel and take a court-ordered class with other strangers, online learning is growing exponentially. Taking an online course can reduce the stress a student faces when forced to take a court-mandated class, and can greatly improve the lasting impact that course will have on their future behavior. By taking a class online, students can gain access to the same material taught in traditional learning environments while still maintaining their privacy and security of their home environment.  A licensed, currently practicing therapist is available to speak with Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5 p.m. with any questions that need personal assistance.

Access to information has become easier resulting in plagiarism cases increasing. This generation of Google users has turned plagiarism into a substantial issue. There have been countless cases involving plagiarism in recent times.

Plagiarism is essentially the unauthorized use of information that is not your own. It is the idea of imitating someone's work or copying it in its entirety. This copied work is then passed off as one's own work without giving credit to the original creator.

It is imperative for everyone to understand plagiarism is a type of theft. Despite, the simplicity of committing it, the issue should be considered serious. There are severe consequences for those that indulge in such practices. Certain individuals have learned about these consequences the hard way.

The music industry over the years has witnessed countless plagiarism cases. In 1968, Johnny Cash was found in the middle of a plagiarism controversy. He penned a song named, "Folsom Prison Blues", which was a hit instantly. Unfortunately, the tune was plagiarized from a Gordon Jenkins' song named, "Crescent City Blues". This case illustrated what can happen when plagiarism occurs unknowingly. Johnny Cash vehemently denied purposefully stealing Jenkins' work stating it was a mistake. This case demonstrated the repercussions one has to face regardless of intention. Cash was found to have paid a substantial fee (at the time) as out of court settlement.

Coldplay is another renowned band that had to face the wrath of plagiarism charges. In 2008, Joe Satriani claimed Coldplay had plagiarized his song titled, "If I could fly". The finger was being pointed towards parts of Coldplay's song titled, "Viva la Vida". Coldplay instantly denied the allegations and remained firm on their stance. The case continued to drag on until a point came where an out of court settlement was reached. Plagiarism has bogged down the music industry for years and this was just another case from many.

There is a long list of consequences for plagiarizing work which can vary dependent upon each case. For example, a music plagiarism case is generally settled with monetary fines and payments. In an educational setting, the consequences tend to involve suspension or expulsion. Depending upon the severity of the plagiarism, bad grades can be handed out. Expulsion is often reserved for entire assignments being copied. Even minimum penalties of receiving "0" on one's assignment can be a horrid consequence.

In a job setting, the consequences involve docking of pay, suspension or being fired. There is usually minimal leeway as incompetent or dishonest employees are unwelcome. Not only are there short-term consequences, but long-term consequences too. These long-term consequences involve having plagiarism associated to your record. Future employers will be wary of hiring an individual with plagiarism on their previous work records.

Plagiarism is a type of theft. It is a crime that results in clear, harsh and substantial penalties. It is often an easy way out from hard work, but it can lead to substantial problems. As with any crime, it is imperative to understand the risks involved with committing this crime.

If you or someone in your life has been recently caught for some type of theft, often the courts will mandate a class to be taken to help rehabilitate the offender.  Online theft classes are a great way to fulfill this requirement.  They can be taken at your convenience, on your personal computer with complete privacy.  Being caught for theft can often be an embarrassing experience.  To minimize your public exposure, online classes are the way to go!