Is it Right to Steal for Survival
Is it Right to Steal for Survival?
“ Any person who steals anything capable of being stolen is guilty of a crime, and is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for 5 years” (Queensland, 2011, p. 1). This is the Criminal Code 1899- Section 398. According to this section even if a person steals for survival it is still stealing and they will be punished just like any other criminal that does a criminal act.
There are different reasons why people steal, according to Wendy Brooks. She stated, “Some people steal for them and their family to survive”(Brooks, 2011, p. 1). Another reason a person might steal is because they are addicted to stealing, live for the thrill, or they cannot control themselves from stealing. The last reason a person would steal is because they see the merchandise as free for them and they do not have to pay for the item. This paper is going to look at these three ways to cover up the “Gray areas” of stealing.
If you were out of a job and did everything you possibly could to get a job but nothing ever worked out and had no income for you and your family would you steal items to survive on? Many people are faced with this decision everyday. It may be easy for you to say yes I would steal if it meant my family could make it another night or you might say no I would not steal because it is wrong and I would rather go get help. Most people who are faced with this decision do steal. The reason why I think that most people turn to stealing instead of getting help is because our society today has shaped us to be independent and if someone goes and asks for help they feel like their independency has gone down. Whether we want to face it or not stealing is stealing and you will be punished if you are caught. A person in this category might not be tried as harsh as the other people in this paper, but remember they had the chance to ask for help.
There are people in this world that are addicted to stealing.
“ Any person who steals anything capable of being stolen is guilty of a crime, and is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for 5 years” (Queensland, 2011, p. 1). This is the Criminal Code 1899- Section 398. According to this section even if a person steals for survival it is still stealing and they will be punished just like any other criminal that does a criminal act.
There are different reasons why people steal, according to Wendy Brooks. She stated, “Some people steal for them and their family to survive”(Brooks, 2011, p. 1). Another reason a person might steal is because they are addicted to stealing, live for the thrill, or they cannot control themselves from stealing. The last reason a person would steal is because they see the merchandise as free for them and they do not have to pay for the item. This paper is going to look at these three ways to cover up the “Gray areas” of stealing.
If you were out of a job and did everything you possibly could to get a job but nothing ever worked out and had no income for you and your family would you steal items to survive on? Many people are faced with this decision everyday. It may be easy for you to say yes I would steal if it meant my family could make it another night or you might say no I would not steal because it is wrong and I would rather go get help. Most people who are faced with this decision do steal. The reason why I think that most people turn to stealing instead of getting help is because our society today has shaped us to be independent and if someone goes and asks for help they feel like their independency has gone down. Whether we want to face it or not stealing is stealing and you will be punished if you are caught. A person in this category might not be tried as harsh as the other people in this paper, but remember they had the chance to ask for help.
There are people in this world that are addicted to stealing.
Cited: Brooks, Wendy (2011). Reasons why some people steal. Retrieved from http://www.helium.com Hayes Laurie (2010, November 7). Like stealing candy from a baby. Retrieved from http://www.thefttalk.com/counseltoday.htm Queensland Consolidated Acts (2011, January 18). Criminal code 1899- sect 398: 398 punishment of stealing. Retrieved from http://www.austlii.edu