Corinne, age 12

Some things are right and some are wrong, full stop.

Stealing – and that’s exactly what shoplifting is – is wrong. It doesn’t matter that Corinne doesn’t have the cash to buy the things she wants – that doesn’t give her the right to steal. Would Corinne like it if someone broke into her room and stole her things? No. How about if she built up a successful business, and someone came along and stole the things she’d worked so hard for? I don’t think she’d like that either, yet that’s just what she’s doing to someone else’s business every time she steals.

If Corinne shoplifts again, sooner or later, she will be caught. When that happens, she will be prosecuted and her parents will be called in. Corinne could end up with a police caution, or worse, a criminal record.

It’s not OK to take things just because you think you deserve them. You need to earn those things – if you do that, they’ll mean even more to you. No, it’s not fair that some people have more than others, but that’s the way things are. If you don’t get enough pocket money, find a part-time job or offer to babysit/walk the dog/weed the garden for family friends and neighbours. If you can’t afford fancy pressies, get creative and make something personal and unique.

Looking for Love?

Dear Cathy

I’ve never been pretty or popular, and even my mum acts like she’s ashamed of me. Last year, though, I realized I had a good figure and boys fancied me. I’ve had quite a few boyfriends now, and kids at school call me horrible names. I suppose I have a bad reputation, but I just want to be loved – is that so wrong?

Roisin, age 15

Wanting to be loved is never wrong, but Roisin may be looking for love in the wrong places. It’s pretty clear from her email that she wants the love and support of her mum and her classmates, but because that isn’t happening, she’s settled for a different kind of love. Having lots of boyfriends is not a great way for Roisin to feel valued and cared for… after all, she’s had lots of relationships in a short time, so no one relationship is lasting for long.

A teenage boy who has lots of girlfriends is often admired and seen as ‘a bit of a lad’. A teenage girl who behaves the same way is often labelled a ‘slag’. Not very fair, is it?

Roisin is looking for love, but I’m worried that her boyfriends are looking for something very different. When they find it, they drop Roisin and move on, and she ends up feeling rejected again… until the next boy comes along. Roisin has to learn to love herself, to realize that she is special and that her love is too valuable to fritter away on boys who aren’t really interested in finding that out. If Roisin can build some self-esteem and treat herself with respect and kindness, she may find better friends and maybe even a boy who will be worth falling for.