NOTICE
Catch me if you can
Photo illustration by Michelle Sprehe
The motivation behind shiopting can be more than simply a desire to get stuff (for free, Shoplifting, for some), is a means of dealing with stressful circumstances.
Students tell what motivates them to shoplift
By Rebekah Scaperlanda rscaperlanda@kansan.com
"It's a really cheap way to get a pick-me-up," Alison says. "I'm not sure why, but I feel such a sensation when I walk out of the store and take a look at all my new, free goods—a nice present to myself to make the day a little brighter."
On an average day at the mall, Alison browses through jewelry at Dillard's with her friends. She casually tries on necklaces and bracelets, and then she spots them: the perfect pair of earrings. Without hesitation, Alison lowers the earrings into her purse. She takes the earrings off the plastic holder one at a time and lets them fall into her purse. All the while she is cool, calm and still chatting with her friends.
The reasons behind shoplifting vary. Peer pressure, boredom and being unable to afford the item are common excuses. Peter Berlin, NASP founder, says shoplifting is just another way people cope with stressful life circumstances. He says it's similar to overeating, drugs, drinking and gambling.
Alison may not know why she needs this pick-me-up, but a study in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry tried to answer that question. The study found depression to be a common psychiatric disorder associated with shoplift-
Nothing happens. No employee comes to reprimand her, no mall rent-a-cop races to handcuff her; and she proceeds to do the same with another pair of earrings, this time encouraging a friend to try it, too.
"I shoplifted a lot in high school. It was just the thing to do," says Alison, senior. "No one I know ever got caught. I still do it sometimes just for fun. Or maybe I'm out of money for the month. But mostly it's just a rush seeing if you can get away with it."
Does this story sound familiar? According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), more than $35 million worth of goods are stolen from retailers in America every day. This adds up to more than $13 billion worth of goods each year.
So what's behind the desire to shoplift?
ing.The article says a person may continue to shoplift in response to a fulfillment of a psychological need.
Shoplifting also allows a person to get this rush without risking a lot. ADT Security Services says the No. 1 reason for shoplifting is that it is easy and there's little or no risk involved. NASP statistics say shoplifters are caught an average of once every 48 times they steal, and are then turned over to the police only 50 percent of the time.
Another reason why people shoplift is the "get something for nothing" mentality. Others convince themselves they are outsmarting big corporations and getting a discount they deserve.
"I would never take anything from an individual or even a local shop," says Matt, 2007 graduate, who, however, says he had no problem taking things from the store where he worked. "The stealing was widespread. Everybody did it for ourselves and we all gave our friends the hookup."
The U.S. Department of Justice reports that employee theft is increasing 15 percent every year. Employees have easier access to goods and often are not closely monitored.The U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that up to 75 percent of all employees steal at least once, though some, like Matt, come to regret the decision to shoplift.
"I was simply making excuses for why it was okay. It's a large corporation, I make a shitty salary, everybody does it," Matt says. "I did it so casually that I simply started to blur the line of what was right. I just wasn't thinking correctly."
While Matt discovered his disdain for shoplifting only after trying it out, others have an innate disapproval of stealing.
Adria Jerkovich, 2008 graduate, says even when she is given more change than she's supposed to receive, she always gives the extra money back. She says some of her friends think it's stupid to give the money back because it's the clerk's fault for messing up, but Jerkovich says she could never live with her own guilt if she took the money.
"I think it's completely immoral, no matter your reasoning." Jerkovich says."Nothing can make it okay to take something that doesn't belong to you."
14
September 4,2008