Will a teen boy who steals video games also steal valuables?

Future banker, hedge fund manager, bane capital analyst.

You’re kidding, right? Not that he isn’t a gifted student because he always has been.

Oh , you mean that those in the professions you mentioned are all crooks?

Honestly, I sincerely believe that children turn into the people they are gonna be by 28 at the latest. I think you can’t tell at 14 if he is going to straighten out or not as an adult. A lot of bad behavior can come from bad parenting or lack of attention or even intellectual boredom.

And all of those people are crooks.

Interesting theory. He does have bad parenting at best and , for some reason, quits each gifted program in which he finds himself.

No way to predict how he’ll turn out as an adult. He’s young, immature, and not getting good guidance, but at least two of those circumstances will change. If you’re close to him, why not talk to him about his behavior and its possible consequences on his future life?

@augustlan we have spoken with him for hours on end about behavior and consequences. He says things like, “I know that.” Like he just wished we’d be quiet and if he goes along with us we’ll stop.

Possibly. I would make sure any valuables are not accessible when he is around, and that he is being watched at all times.

@Aster if this is the same kid you referred to in your other question, there could very well be more here than meets the eye. If the cousin really did loan him these things, the situation is different then if he sneaked the things out of the house with the intention of keeping them.

If the boy is only 14, there is probably a chance to get him on the right track. What he needs is to receive some positive attention and some clear guidance from a responsible adult role model who is willing to stick around and help the boy. It sounds as though he has had a challenging childhood, but the reality is that lots of kids from challenging circumstances grow up to be solid, upstanding members of society. The boy has a chance and every child has potential, he needs at least one adult to commit to him and stick with it until the end. It would be a shame to write this kid off.

A fourteen year old isn’t going to end up in prison for pilfering a video game. While technically it is breaking the law, the owner of the game, or the parents of the owner, would have to charge him. Probably not much would be done, unless he has a criminal record already. Nevertheless, crime done by people under 18, if they’re to be locked away, gets them into what I typically know as juvenile hall, which is a correctional facility for people under 18. I guess it pretty much is prison, but a lot more secure for the inmates than a prison for adults. Still, to get in there, you have to smash windows, steal from stores, beat the shit out of people or have many petty crimes stacking up.
No I’ve never been to juvenile hall lol, but I hung out with tough crowds and known many people who have been, and they had a lot of stories to tell. Maybe it depends what state/province you’re in, (I’ve heard some places don’t even have those types of places at all) but I really don’t think stealing from a family member will get a kid locked up.

As for his possible future, it’s really scary how many kids who live in questionable environments never get any help or guidance. People have to report these things to places like ’‘child and family services’’, or whatever it’s called everywhere else, and repeatedly at that. If he’s bad enough of a criminal, an investigation about his current living condition will probably be undertaken. This could lead to a lot of different things, (or nothing at all) highest scenario is the parent(s) lose custody of the kid.
But in this case, it seems a whole in between the family thing, which again, unless someone charges him or takes legal action of some kind, I wouldn’t expect much to be done about it. This kid definitely needs guidance…what kind of loving parent doesn’t care that their kid is downing allergy medicine? :(

It sounds to me like this kid needs a good ol fashion woopin. like five years ago but you never know with the right influence the child could change there ways….none the less I wouldnt leave him in a room with your fine china.

Once he starts stealing then it becomes the habit. Once it becomes the habit then he can steal anything.