*for parents

I don't see the moral difference between stealing baby formula to feed your baby and stealing baby formula to sell for rent. Capitalism fucking sucks and people do what they have to do.

And for all y'all saying "they're probably just stealing for drug money or to buy designer clothes or (insert bad reason here) - that's your bias speaking. You think the worst of shoplifters because you want to think the worst of shoplifters. You don't know why someone is stealing. You don't know what their life is like or what they need.

Do you know for a fact someone isn't stealing to feed themselves or their kids? No? Then give your fellow man the benefit of the fucking doubt. Keep your mouth shut and your hands off.

And frankly, if someone develops an addiction because they use illegal drugs to mitigate the symptoms of their untreated mental illness or to numb the pain of being homeless in a capitalist society, and they steal to feed that addiction, who the hell are you to judge them? Everyone has a right to medical care, which means addicts have a right to medical care to treat their addiction, which is a hell of a lot more valuable than a few hundred dollars in baby formula, and society has stolen that right from them, so why shouldn't they steal a little of their own back?

Even the least excusable shoplifting has a reason for it. And it is, quite frankly, a victimless crime, because corporations aren't people. And I don't give a shit if somebody in upper management loses his Christmas bonus over shrinkage. Wage theft by corporate employers steals three times as much as all other forms of larceny and theft in the US combined. So think about who the real thieves are before you go judging people.

Not only that. It's oftentimes used for cutting with drugs as well.

There is also return scams where they return the stolen items using a discarded receipt or opt for an in store giftcard.

All returns of baby formula are required to be discarded because of the cases of people tampering with the product.

Families are able to apply to get formula for fairly cheap, sometimes free though the use of coupons. The likelihood of a mother stealing formula for herself is extreamly small.

Baby formula is a common item for people to steal so they feed their babies. So yeah, I’m not going to say something. Stop supporting making baby formula harder for care givers who cant afford it at the moment to get and steal. It also helps to keep the babies in the neighborhood fed.

These issues don’t have to be so dumbed down and black and white on social media. That’s a choice people are making.

You act like your take has nuance but I dont see any nuance and instead you just seem to disagree with the meme.

I mean, it's a different story if you're held personally responsible for shrink. You have to feed yourself too. Tough situation.

Yes.. Capitalism takes a toll on all of us. I understand also your position. But from my position, I would rather not tell you if I saw people shoplifting... Which I also think you understand.

So if you bust me, at least we can get on with the capitalist program we are both stuck in with a tad more understanding and kindness towards each other.

Do you have any decision power in the process of dealing with a shoplifter? If you know the rules of your company regarding this you might be able to let some people of the hook or sometimes "miss" someone stealing.