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Shoplifting Is Stealing: Why Kids Shoplift & How to Help Them Make Better Choices. A Gude for Parents, Teachers & Communities

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Most parents aren’t even aware that their kids may be shoplifting until they get caught!

The facts are 89% of children know kids who shoplift and 66% of kids say they hang out with those kids. What’s more, 46% of high school kids say they have shoplifted in the past year!

Equally disturbing is that it is a gateway to more serious crime; many prison inmates began their life of crime as shoplifters.

Consequences of shoplifting can criminal records, fines, restitution, probation, sentencing to juvenile hall, loss of job and academic opportunities, etc.

In Shoplifting IS Stealing!™

•The reasons why kids shoplift.

•How to identify behaviors that indicate kids may be shoplifting or stealing.

•Effective ways parents can talk to kids about shoplifting, make better decisions, and how to help them handle peer pressure (a major reason why kids shoplift).

•How shoplifting dramatically affects kids, parents, businesses & communities.

•Tools and resources for parents, teachers and other community members.

•Why shoplifting is a gateway crime to more serious offenses and why it is critical to help kids understand the consequences before it becomes a lifelong problem.

This shoplifting book is based on the highly successful Shoplifting IS Stealing!™ prevention program which has helped tens of thousands of parents, teacher and community members across the U.S. work together to raise awareness about shoplifting and provide them with effective strategies to prevent it.

Whether you’re a teacher with a classroom full of students, a parent, or a community member this comprehensive guide will give you proven tools, ideas, and effective resources to prevent shoplifting while helping kids make better decisions. Remember, early intervention is the key to preventing shoplifting and juvenile crime. Order a copy of Shoplifting IS Stealing!™ today!

118 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2013

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4 people want to read

About the author

Judy Whalen

1 book3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Bill Ward.
Author 9 books177 followers
December 17, 2014
This is a well written little book, which tackles the subject of kids and shoplifting but actually the excellent advice given is really good parenting advice in general e.g. always know where your kids are and who they are with. The author identifies the behaviour signs that indicate a child may be having problems, which can lead to shoplifting.
The author has also included good information to help educators and communities tackle shoplifting.
I particularly liked the structure of the book, with summary key points at the end of each chapter, which highlight and reinforce the most important points.
This is a very useful book for parents and I say that as someone with 8 children!
Profile Image for Deborah McClatchey.
Author 20 books96 followers
October 3, 2014
I was fortunate to be given this book for an honest review exchange. I found it very insightful on the various reasons people shoplift; excellent resource for educators and parents, etc. It is an easy-to-understand, helpful guide as to how to stop young people from going down the wrong path by nipping this corruptive activity in the bud. I liked the key points at the end of each chapter to reinforce what you’d just learned.

The author lists good questions you can pose to your children/grandchildren to assist them in making better choices/decisions in life. Not to cave in to peer pressure or get them to open up with any personal issues they may be having. It’s a ’must have’ book for any family/school/community and I rate it 5 stars! Kudos to Ms. Whalen for writing this enlightening book about this common and serious problem.
Profile Image for Gina Briganti.
Author 11 books853 followers
December 19, 2014
I thought "Shoplifting Is Stealing" was well-written, offering a lot of interesting research and ideas for the people it targets as its audience.

Suggestions for parents were helpful, especially the "what if" questions, where you listen without judging or lecturing. Basically, you're opening up lines of communication with your kids. Suggestions for teachers were imaginative and looked like they would be interesting for students. The community awareness suggestions looked attainable without involving a lot of cost.

Definitely check this book out if you are dealing with shoplifting, or even if you just want to understand the "why" of it in greater detail.
Profile Image for Lincoln Cole.
Author 31 books500 followers
January 10, 2016
I loved this guide because it really helps show how parents and communities can do a better job of teaching our children morals. It's important that children have set morals at a young age because when they grow up they won't have a safety net anymore.

It's easy for people to say "well, I'm only stealing this small thing" or "I'm stealing from the company, not people, so who does it hurt?" but this kind of logic can result in a slippery slope where it becomes easier and easier to justify things. This book shows parents how to spot the signs in their children that they might be shoplifting, and then helps them stop it.

When I was a little kid, only four years old, I stole a candy bar in a convenience store. Just walked out with it and started eating in the car. When my mom and dad noticed, they drove back to the store, took me in, and made me pay for it. The clerk was amused by it, but not angry, but that wasn't the point. The point is, there is a clear line about what is right and wrong, and if children aren't taught where the line is and where they want to be, then it can have serious consequences in the long run.

Anyone who has kids or works with kids and wants the best for them in life, this book is for you.
Profile Image for Nikole Bloom.
Author 2 books45 followers
August 5, 2015
Shoplifting is the #1 property crime in the U.S.

Approximately 23 million people (that’s 1 in 11) shoplift; 6 million of these people are children and teens (ages 13-17)

Shoplifting is a gateway crime: 30% of prison inmates admit they started out as shoplifters.

We all know that shoplifting is wrong and that we should try and prevent our children from doing it. However, author Judy Whalen takes the knowledge much further in this book. She breaks down the why and how’s of shoplifting. She explains the many reasons and types of shoplifters.

She also presents ways to recognize possible shoplifting in young adults and ways to approach the subject. She gives approaches at every level: schools, community, and at home. She also gives several resources that revolve around the program Shoplifting IS Stealing! ™ that she pioneered.

In all this is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, community volunteers, and anyone else interested in shoplifting and its prevention. As she said, shoplifting affects everyone in the form of higher prices at the register, so it is worth getting the word around your local area and stepping up prevention strategies.
Profile Image for TyCobbsTeeth TyCobbsTeeth.
Author 2 books163 followers
August 10, 2015
This very well written book by author Judy Whalen dives into a topic which affects everyone.

From the cost of the goods that we buy in stores to the suspicious eyes that watch us while we shop -- shoplifting is why.
Stores must recoup money lost to shoplifting and employ cameras and mirrors that WE have to pay for. These are some of the sad facts that drive prices.

Most parents aren’t even aware that their kids may be shoplifting until they get caught!
The facts are alarming: 89% of children know kids who shoplift and 66% of kids say they hang out with those kids. What’s more, 46% of high school kids say they have shoplifted in the past year!
Equally disturbing is that it is a gateway to more serious crime; many prison inmates began their life of crime as shoplifters.

This well crafted guide will assist you in helping kids make better choices. Helping kids make better choices and not bowing to peer pressure is an important lesson which will undoubtedly help them in many situations growing up.

Can you afford not to read this?
Profile Image for Shantee' Parks).
Author 49 books117 followers
August 20, 2015
Most Helpful



Something so near and dear to my heart was the story about the lady going to pick up her child for shop lifting. When I was a child I accompanied my grandmother to pick up my brother from the mall for shoplifting and he did it on a dare trying to be cool with some so called friends. I have an eleven year old and I am concerned. I to feel like my child is a good girl but kids will push the envelope to be accepted. I love what you said about inviting your child’s friends over and provide some supervision this is one of the most important things ever! Know your children’s friends! You learn who’s controlling who in the group too. Another great great point is taking your child with you to run errands anything really that will give you time to talk. Like you said being a good listener to your child is very important. No one wants to know why your child stole but you have to listen to keep it from happening again. This middle school mom thanks you for this book.
Profile Image for Chonalyn Supino.
5 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2014
I'm not fond of books but when i read this, it's sounds like a great sharing for everyone! A very helpful guide to why people shoplift and how to help them to stop from stealing. This book is ideal for use by educators, law enforcement, parents and communities.

I really really really admire Ms. Judy Whalen to her efforts in writing the 'Shoplifting is Stealing' book and starting to spread the information. It gives a great impact to all readers, sharing a good advice in young people today.

This is a must have book! I would recommend this book to anyone especially parents, teachers and communities, wanting to understand about 'shoplifting'.
Profile Image for Dave Bench.
15 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2016
A very good book on a topic that doesn't get talked about much but can impact lives in a very profound way. This book can be a very good resource for parents to discuss the dangers of stealing and the effect it can have on their children and their future. I was caught shoplifting candy in grade school and the shop owner put the fear of God (and the police) into me such that I was never tempted again. Even good kids can have moments of weakness and give in to peer pressure. I would recommend this book to anyone who has children, regardless of whether or not they currently have behavioral issues like shoplifting.
Profile Image for Robert Smith.
Author 7 books87 followers
April 22, 2017
This very well written book by author Judy Whalen dives into a topic which affects everyone.

From the cost of the goods that we buy in stores to the suspicious eyes that watch us while we shop -- shoplifting is why.
Stores must recoup money lost to shoplifting and employ cameras and mirrors that WE have to pay for. These are some of the sad facts that drive prices.

Most parents aren’t even aware that their kids may be shoplifting until they get caught!
The facts are alarming: 89% of children know kids who shoplift and 66% of kids say they hang out with those kids. What’s more, 46% of high school kids say they have shoplifted in the past year!
Equally disturbing is that it is a gateway to more serious crime; many prison inmates began their life of crime as shoplifters.

This well crafted guide will assist you in helping kids make better choices. Helping kids make better choices and not bowing to peer pressure is an important lesson which will undoubtedly help them in many situations growing up.

Can you afford not to read this?
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