17-year-old refuses to give his gaming PC to his 13-year-old cousin after his aunt asked him to: 'He’d appreciate it more.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Feb 23, 2026 8:00 AM EST

If you haven't learned that stealing is wrong by the time you're in your 40s, you might not ever learn it.

A lot of parents feel conflicted about telling their children that they always have to share their toys. We're led to believe that encouraging sharing at a very young age will teach kids to be generous with others. That's probably correct, but it's not as applicable as you grow up. You shouldn't be expected to share all of your possession with anybody just because they ask! That would be a ridiculous thing to expect of people. Imagine a world where you're supposed to give a guy on the street your wallet just because he asked! That's obviously the most extreme example, but we don't expect people to share their possessions in most circumstances, even when they're objectively unvaluable.

Most people are taught to share when they're in preschool, and most people grow up to understand that you can't say yes to every borrowing request. It's totally up to you whether you let your sister borrow your clothes, and you're not a bad person for saying no. You might be afraid that she'll damage them, or you might have no concrete reason at all for saying no, and either are totally okay! I'm pretty willing to share a piece of gum with my friends, or my food with my roommates, but I don't go around lending my stuff to people I don't particularly know or trust.

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  • Young gamer boys with headphones playing a computer video game
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The teenage boy in this story spent a lot of time and money on building himself a gaming PC. His aunt has taken an interest in it, basically begging him to give it to her son, his 13-year-old cousin. Why she expects him to do this is a mystery to all of us. 

  • Am I the bad guy for refusing to give my gaming PC to my younger cousin?

    I (17M) have been saving up for over a year to build my own gaming PC.
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • I worked weekends and did small side jobs to afford it. It's not insanely high-end, but it runs the games I like smoothly and I'm really proud of it because I paid for every part myself.
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • Confident teenage farm worker walking through cowshed after work on background of stall with cows carrying pitchforks and milk can
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Last weekend, my aunt and uncle came over with their 13-year-old son. He saw my setup and immediately started asking about it.
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • A desktop computer sitting on top of a desk
    via sdl sanjaya

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I showed him a few games and he loved it. Later that night, I overheard my aunt telling my mom that I "don't really need something that powerful" and that it would mean a lot if I gave it to my cousin since "he'd appreciate it more." The next day my mom asked me if I'd consider giving it to him since I could "always build another one later." I said no.
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • I worked hard for it and I don't think it's fair to just hand it over because he wants one.
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • Now my aunt is calling me selfish and saying family should share, and my mom thinks I could've at least offered to let him borrow it for a few months.
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • I feel bad because it's causing tension, but I also feel like I shouldn't be pressured into giving away something I worked and paid for.
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • Hot_Lab4411 NTA- Tell your aunt she has a really nice car and you need one so she should give you hers; After all you would appreciate more than she does.
    via u/Hot_Lab4411
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply that made me laugh
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  • GeminiAtl Do not loan your computer to that child. You will never see it again. Also, beware. You will come home from school one day and your Aunt will have visited and your computer will mysteriously disappear. I don't know your set up but I would take steps to protect it and make sure the entire family knows it's password protected and if anyone takes it they won't be able to log in.
    via u/GeminiAtl
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply im actually thinking about getting/building a desk that I can hide or keep my pc in a closed/covered spot if that makes sense but I worry if they'll go through all that effort and just take apart the desk to get to it
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • malamalinka So a gaming PC is too powerful for a 17yo, but will be just right for a 13yo? Tell your parents and your aunt that this is an important parenting lesson. Telling their child No is an important skill and they will thank you later when that kid is older. Alternatively scope how much a new gaming PC would cost and tell them you will build one if they pay you for parts and labour.
    via u/malamalinka
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply yup and all he plays is roblox
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • Few-Tone-9339 Ummmm NO. F that.
    via u/Few-Tone-9339
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply thanks my whole family is kind of in a feud with me because of the whole situation
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • Towtruck_73 NTA. Not even remotely. Obviously your cousin has no concept of hard work and earning things. Let me guess, his parents give him everything he needs? Definitely keep your receipts, stand your ground, and lock it down as best you can.
    via u/Towtruck_73
  • SassyCatLady442 Nta. Full stop. You paid for it. Your aunt just wants it for free so she doesn't have to hear her son whine. You're good.
    via u/SassyCatLady442
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply exactly hes not gonna learn anything about hard work if he gets given everything
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • Japanat1 Tell your mom directly (aunt and cousin as well) that you will call the police to report it stolen if that PC "disappears". It's 100% your money (I assume you have all the receipts). 100% your work, and 100% your PC. Make sure to engrave your identification somewhere inconspicuous. Or in 6-in letters on the outer case. NTA
    via u/Japanat1
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply ive thoight about that but if I had to there is almost a guarantee that my mom would kick me out for calling police on the family. she would say something like if I can work for my own pc i can work for my own housing wich is weird cuz my cousin cant even work for his own pc
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • gardenloving Add up how much it cost to build, add 50% and tell them that's how much they can 'have' it for. If it's too powerful for you he definately won't 'appreciate' it. Such entitlement.
    via u/gardenloving
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply she won't even pay what I spent on it that how entitled they are
    via u/Usual-Ad6320
  • NJMomofFor NTA. Has your mom always been a doormat for her sister?? Tell your Aunt you can build him one for $x in supplies and $y in labor.
    via u/NJMomofFor
  • Usual-Ad6320 Original Poster's Reply I doubt she would even consider paying for a pc. she thinks cuz were family we (me) should just share everything
    via u/Usual-Ad6320

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teenagers gaming demanding computer aunt uncle family hard work cousins entitled people
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