With the economy down many people avoid buying things that aren’t necessary, but some people choose to opt for the five finger discount.
According to Shopliftingprevention.org, 89% of kids say they know other kids who shoplift. 66% say they hang out with those kids.
Shelly Cooper shoplifts on nearly a daily basis. She isn’t in financial trouble and she doesn’t come from a broken home, but she still shoplifts.
“I don’t shoplift because I necessarily need these things, but because I know I can get away with it. It’s the rush that I might get caught,” Cooper said.
According to Shopliftingprevention.org, people shoplift because the excitement generated from “getting away with it” produces a chemical reaction resulting in what shoplifters describe as an incredible “rush” or “high” feeling. Many shoplifters will tell you that this “high” is their true reward,” rather than the merchandise itself.

The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention estimates that there are over 27 million shoplifters (or 1 in 11 people) in our nation today.  More than 10 million people have been caught shoplifting in the last five years.
“I’ve stolen anything from chapstick, jewelry, and clothes and I don’t think it’s a big deal. I don’t want to pay for some of the things I want and it doesn’t really bother me much. Sometimes I do feel guilt but I do easily get over it.,”Cooper said.
Many people believe that shoplifters have kleptomania.
Kleptomania means a persistent neurotic impulse to steal especially without economic motive.

“I don’t think I have kleptomania because even though I have stolen from stores and various small businesses, I don’t ever have the urge to steal from my friends,” Cooper said, “I think that to be diagnosed with kleptomania you’d have to have the urge to steal all the time and can’t go anywhere without stealing.”