If someone asks you, ‘who should take a theft class?’ what would be your answer? Most people who attend such classes do so because a court order directed them to do it; a very small number of people take a theft class because they want to fight the impulse of stealing. Some people attend this course to understand what goes on in the mind of a friend/ relative/ spouse when they shoplift; they look for ways to offer help and prevent this habit from escalating into a personal catastrophe.
So, Who Should Take A Theft Class?
Here are 5 factors that would indicate that you, your friend, spouse would benefit from this type of class:
1. Your friends shoplift – yes, as kids, we all might have done this; often on a challenge/ bet or just for fun or for the thrill of it. Even so, we knew it was wrong and as most people, we moved away from this type of fun soon enough. However, if you have friends who regularly shoplift, you should take the class to understand why they do it and how you could help them stop.
2. You shoplift on regular basis – you feel this ugly compulsion to steal. You may or may not have money; yet, you still get this unbeatable urge to just pick something up and put in your pocket or bag. You shoplift regularly; you know it is wrong but cannot help it. In such a case theft classes would tell you why you are doing it and how to put a stop to this habit.
3. Your friends push you into shoplifting – you know it is wrong to steal; you do not want to do it, yet you do it because your friends are breathing down your throat. You feel miserable afterwards, but you know that there will be a next time, and you will do it again for you cannot say ‘no’ to your friends who seem to have a lot of fun doing it. Your friends belong to the type of people who should take a theft class, but until they attend such a course, you should do it so you would know how to guide them away from it and at the same time protect yourself from further harm.
4. You love shoplifting – shoplifting gives you a euphoric feeling. It is better than any type of stimulant you know. You love the challenge, you love the thrill that it gives from the moment you have the stolen item on you until you get away from the shop. At the same time you know this is a wrong thing to do and wish you weren’t feeling this way. In this case, it you who should take a theft class so you will understand what compels you to do it and how you can stop this habit before it ruins you.
5. You feel stealing is fine, as long as you are not caught – do you rationalize at any time that stealing is okay? Do you feel that as long as you are not caught, stealing is a good way to get everything you need without money? If you are or you find anyone who is rationalizing that theft is okay, you have found a person who should take a 4 hour theft class for all the trouble starts this way.
