Is the topic of "justified stealing" one that children can learn from?

Use this forum to discuss "Dumb" Orphans: The Bundu Bunch Trilogy by Allan Low, the November 2024 Book of the Month.
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Gerry Steen
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Is the topic of "justified stealing" one that children can learn from?

Post by Gerry Steen »

In response to the entitlement that Meyego, his son Samu, and sister, Cebsile, felt in regards to keeping and reselling donated foods from bakeries instead of giving it to the orphans, the orphans organized a "bun raid." Even though the orphans were uncomfortable with "stealing," they rationalized it as "justified stealing." What do you think children, who read about the bun raid, will take away from it? Is there a valuable lesson in it? What are your thoughts?
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Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine
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Post by Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine »

Stealing should never be justified. And this should be clearly taught to children. I am glad that in the book, the kids were shown to be uncomfortable, and debated about it before doing it. This will give the young reader some food for thoughts.
As for the 'justified' part, it is complex. Stealing is bad, but I am wondering if I would be able to tell a child to starve to death instead of stealing his food to survive... especially, like in this case, they are stealing from the thief.
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