Accusing someone without providing any evidence is just speculation. Sure, it might work if you're just spreading conspiracy theories online, but your relationships will suffer serious consequences if you act like that in real-life situations as well.
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A few days before Christmas, mother and Reddit user Low_Currency_1038 found herself in that exact predicament. After noticing money missing from her wallet, she accused her teenage son of taking it—but when he denied it, she doubled down and canceled his carefully planned birthday party.
This boy was looking forward to his special 13th birthday party
Image credits: mallivan (not the actual image)
But his mom decided to cancel it
Image credits: Towfiqu barbhuiya (not the actual image)
The boy still denies taking the money
Image credits: dimaberlin-1 (not the actual image)
Image credits: Low_Currency_1038
Teenagers feel less emotional support than their parents think they do
Mothers and fathers in situations like this might think their suspicions are justified, but if their kids are wrongly accused, those children could start to feel that the very people who are supposed to have their back aren’t really looking out for them.
A report published by the National Center for Health Statistics suggests that, at least in the United States, there is a significant gap between the level of support teenagers feel and the amount parents believe their children receive.
Only about a quarter of teens say they always get the social and emotional support they need, but parents were nearly three times more likely to think they did.
"This suggests a systematic bias where parents consistently report higher levels of social and emotional support compared with their teenager's perception, and in doing so may underestimate their teenager's perceived need for social and emotional support," the authors of the study wrote.
Dr. Lisa Damour, a psychologist who was not involved in the study but who has written books on related topics, says the disconnect may be exacerbated by broader anxieties that parents have about the mental health crises.
"Parents may now, more than in recent years, be quick to try to jump in with solutions or corrections because they are anxious about adolescent mental health overall," the author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents explains to CNN.
"So the net effect is that it is probably harder than it's ever been for parents to feel like a steady presence in the face of teenage hiccups and bumps, and that may be trickling down to their kids."
Image credits: syda_productions (not the actual image)
Most people who read the story blame the mom for the punishment
But a few believe it was the right call
Later, the mom shared an update on their situation
And she finally got to the bottom of things
Why do children sometimes steal?
The mother claims that, eventually, the boy confessed to stealing from her. However, the fact that she canceled his birthday party before confirming the truth matters a lot.
Psychologist Dr. Shane Rogers and criminologist Dr. Natalie Gately, both academics at Edith Cowan University in Australia, emphasize that parents should explore and understand possible motives for stealing before deciding on a punishment, as such behavior is not necessarily a sign of moral failure.
"Some young children with low impulse control might steal for immediate gratification – especially items perceived as low value. They might think it’s only a few lollies, or a biscuit or two, no one will notice," Rogers and Gately write.
"Others may have difficulty imagining anyone would be cross or disappointed if they took another person’s belongings."
Bored children may steal simply because they seek excitement or attention.
"Another important aspect is whether they steal alone or with peers. Children may steal as part of pranking behaviour due to peer pressure or to impress their friends," the experts add.
Children from poor backgrounds may steal to obtain something they can't afford. The item may be particularly valued within their friend group, or it may be the latest fad item everyone else in the group already has and they don't want to be left out.
"Stealing may indicate a child is struggling with something deeper and needs help addressing the root cause of their behaviour," Rogers and Gately explain. "Parents, caregivers and educators should approach the situation with empathy and understanding, and work with the child to find more constructive ways to cope with their emotions and needs."
Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)
However, this didn't stop people from criticizing her
