Sunday Times, "She used to shoplift up to five times a week" dated May 6 2007, pg 10 and 11. According to Dictionary.com, kleptomania is "an irresistible impulse to steal, stemming from emotional disturbance rather than economic need" Goh Lee Yin excel in her studies and I am sure her achievements in studies would make any parents proud. However, being diagnosed with kleptomania seemed to have destroyed her future though there is a possibility for a cure. Goh would have leaded a normal life if her parents had recognized that she was suffering from kleptomania at the young age of 9. Losing a father at the age of 17 definitely did not help her situation then. Her mom, who worked as a cleaner, had to work till late hours in order to provide for the family and Goh's education. No one can blame her for her negligence when it came to her daughter's condition. It may be hard or even impossible for us to know how it feels to be a kleptomaniac. Many, like me, would have never even heard of this term. We do not know how they feel when they steal things. Are we going judge them because of their condition or for their actions? Kleptomaniacs, according to the article, "resisting the urge to steal results in extreme anxiety ... will barely be able to function."
How is the law system of Singapore going to punish criminals like Goh? They have medical condition which most of us have never heard of and the condition might sound silly to us initially. Are they going to be punished because they did not seek for the right treatment or their actions which was brought about by their condition? I feel that judges do have to really take into consideration for offenders who committed crimes due to their illness.

Since kleptomania is a medical condition, would probation be able to help her? I feel that putting Goh on probation would only help to a small extent. Only family members and close friends can play the most crucial role of helping Goh to get on the right track.

Sunday Times, "She used to shoplift up to five times a week" dated May 6 2007, pg 10 and 11.

According to Dictionary.com, kleptomania is "an irresistible impulse to steal, stemming from emotional disturbance rather than economic need"

Goh Lee Yin excel in her studies and I am sure her achievements in studies would make any parents proud. However, being diagnosed with kleptomania seemed to have destroyed her future though there is a possibility for a cure. Goh would have leaded a normal life if her parents had recognized that she was suffering from kleptomania at the young age of 9. Losing a father at the age of 17 definitely did not help her situation then. Her mom, who worked as a cleaner, had to work till late hours in order to provide for the family and Goh's education. No one can blame her for her negligence when it came to her daughter's condition.

It may be hard or even impossible for us to know how it feels to be a kleptomaniac. Many, like me, would have never even heard of this term. We do not know how they feel when they steal things. Are we going judge them because of their condition or for their actions? Kleptomaniacs, according to the article, "resisting the urge to steal results in extreme anxiety ... will barely be able to function."

How is the law system of Singapore going to punish criminals like Goh? They have medical condition which most of us have never heard of and the condition might sound silly to us initially. Are they going to be punished because they did not seek for the right treatment or their actions which was brought about by their condition? I feel that judges do have to really take into consideration for offenders who committed crimes due to their illness.

Since kleptomania is a medical condition, would probation be able to help her? I feel that putting Goh on probation would only help to a small extent. Only family members and close friends can play the most crucial role of helping Goh to get on the right track.