[eilefsen]

I feel like a lot of petty crime (like shoplifting and such), is not directly caused by desparation, but a kind of contempt.

Their community failed to make them feel provided for and included, therefore what they are doing is okay: they are only taking what they are “owed”.

It’s not necessarily that they are evil or even that desperate, but rather that their previous interactions with society gave them a warped sense of justice, in which selfish behaviour and stealing is good (when they do it).

You often see this with turnstile jumpers. It’s not that they cant afford the ticket, they just think it should have been free to begin with. its mostly an act of contempt.

“I have to feed my family” is rarely the actual motivation, especially in developed countries.

[amatecha]

Oh yeah, I didn't dive deep enough into it but yeah, there's absolutely that aspect of feeling "owed" or otherwise not having sympathy for those they are taking from. Sometimes there's a "I need it more than they do", or "they can easily afford to replace it", or less charitably there can be more of a "they deserve to have their stuff taken", "they're part of the system that ruined my life", a mindset of resentment and entitlement...