Why do people steal?

because their eye is wicked and want to be gloryfied under some false materialistic ideal.

this is also know as foolishness by someone who is already the fool, afterall they end up in jail don't they?

Sometimes need, often greed. We live in a materialistic world, everyone want s more "stuff" :-(

Too lazy to earn money to buy the things they want or need.

To get a freebie they don't have to work for.

Don't know why.But if I catch someone stealing from me,it will be their last time!

I think most of the reasons for stealing is that those people are poor...

Actually all of the above may be causes.

They want what others have but don't want to work for it.

All of the above and some reasons not listed. They are poor, they were poor growing up, they weren't brought up with values, they are rebelling, they want to look cool, they are greedy and I'm sure I missed something. People steal for all different reasons.

Yep, there's seldom a simple, single answer to why people do most things !

What a silly stereotype ! So poor people steal and rich people do not. Is that what you are saying. Many rich people stole half of what they own and continue to do so their whole until they get caught. Many poor people do not steal because it runs against their values and beliefs. The best way to deal with the problem of stealing is to address the root causes, which may either be for survival, attention-seeking desires, or the presence of a psychological disorder. There have been famous stars who been caught shoplifting or cheating on income tax.

I never said rich people don't steal. I said there are a lot of reasons why people do. Rich people wouldn't fall under the "they are poor" reason but maybe the they weren't brought up with values reason, the they want to look cool reason, or like you said the need to fufill a need. I gave more than one reason I like how you only read what you wanted to read. Do not put words into my mouth and do not make me into something I'm not. Rich people don't steal because they are rich, so saying that would have been stupid, rich people steal for one of the other reasons I listed. I hate when people are just here to argue and twist peoples comments to something completeley differed.

I think Chanels comment above would be better suited for your reply.

Perhaps they were never taught that stealing is WRONG ! It is breaking one of the Ten Commandments !!

Good answer. I'm cheating off your paper on all future Sodahead tests.

Also, they are dishonest....bark

They probably like the adrenaline rush

It is impossible to phrase this in any other way than

to fulfil a need..

Isn't it the case that as a child nobody says, "when I grow up I want to be a thief"?

If it is not money for food or food itself that is being stolen, then surely it is to satisfy some sort of obsession, addiction or other fascination?

Psychologists would say that the latter is because of insecurity, and people can even become addicted to the adrenal rush gained from stealing....

Do you don't find it rather a sad state of affairs if someone needs to steal?

I think a lot of people do it for the thrill of possibly getting caught.

Bad habit in doing wrong things including stealing. And covet has the same or similar meaning.

Didn't give a choice for other so I picked coveting. Some people think they just have to have something that they see other people have, and if they can't afford it may steal it or steal money to buy it. I also think stealing can be a habit, as in shoplifting to get the "high" from the danger of the possibility of getting caught. I also think there are some people for whom it is a sort of lifestyle; why work when you can steal to get what you want? I really don't think it is related to being poor, because most poor people do not steal, and many who do steal are very, very well off.

Don't steal. The government hates competition.

Look at the pathetic role models our society has, and who we hold up on a pedestal.

hehe good!!!but you are very lucky in USA...You dont wanna know whats happening in Greece...:)

Sure I do. It may be happening here soon also.

They enjoy stealing, it's just as simple as that. Well it's just a simple fact, when they want something and they don't want to pay for it. They walk right through the door. They walk right through the door. Hey alright they get by, it's all theirs.

Steal from someone, and you've stolen the time they spent earning the money to pay for the thing. So it gets really personal, right off the bat.

People steal due to three of the options you've listed. Many are greedy, few actually does it for their good intentions.