# I caught a thief. What would you do?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-thief-what-would-you-do/47270>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [December 26, 2000, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-thief-what-would-you-do/47270 "2000-12-26T19:19:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-thief-what-would-you-do/47270/21 "2000-12-27T02:41:26Z")

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Have you tried the counselling route with him to help him get a clearer view of himself.

Too bad you can’t simply sign him up for the Marines.

Don’t worry too much about the jail potential if you cut him loose. He will or will not land there of his own accord regardless of whether you give him the bum’s rush or not. Don’t go beating yourself for how you think he might act if you do not provide the safety net he demands of you. Why play by his rules?

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**Author:** ![dublos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@dublos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dublos)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-a-thief-what-would-you-do/47270/22 "2000-12-27T15:40:51Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by cheezit \*  
> \*\*The amount was only $20.00 but to me that is not the point. He had even asked her if he could “borrow” the money, but she said no, because she was going to need it for gas for her trip. So, when she was asleep last night, he went into her room and took it. He has done it before, but it was usually only a dollar or two. Nothing at all major.

[snip]

> [@](#):
>
> It is like he really honestly believes that the world owes him a living.

[snip]

> [@](#):
>
> I will give this much to him though. His car is all bought and paid for, including all the fancy stereo stuff etc., by him, before he lost his job. It isn’t like he is completely useless, even though it may seem like it. He is actually not that bad a kid. I just think it is time he grew up and got his head out of his ass.

[snip]\*\*

Ok, Thank you **cheezit** that helps with the problem solving.

I wouldn’t consider it worth throwing him out on the street for stealing $20. He certainly neds to pay it back, but it shouldn’t cost him a roof over his head.

In my opinion, past the age of 18, any child living at home should be rquired to pay rent. Even if it is a token $50 a month, once you pass your 18th birthday, living at home is no longer a right, but becomes a privilege. Paying rent should reinforce that.

If your daughter’s past her 18th, same rule applies.

I do consider that if that child is a full time college/vocational student, and are working to help pay their tuition (or conver that cost entirely) then rent should be waived. (or more properly, you’re covering that part of their expenses)

Please keep in mind, having brought us into your life with this incident you now owe us a couple updates over the next few weeks on what suggestions you followed (if any) and how it works. 😉  
-Doug

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