Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: In order to become financially responsible adults, children should manage their money at a young age. (Money) 2010.1.15

Wiser conclusions are to be drawn when financially responsible adults are defined in a different way. To be a good hand at personal and family expenditure in future adult life, children indeed should learn about money and participate in financial decisions, even at a young age. However, once financially responsible adults are deemed as those financially responsible for the care and maintenance of parents, children should not only beware of money management but family obligations.

Undeniably, money management is akin to self-discipline, which is, after all, among the main parenting objectives. Because children’s financial judgment is usually not the same as that of adults, it is necessary that parents explain their point of view. For example, a child, who has had the right to take care of his/her own money, may opt to buy something adults consider foolish, such as 10 albums of a particular pop singer, or a whole collection of Teddy Bears. When this happens, the parents are supposed to tell the child that merely being partial to entertaining stuff constitutes a waste of hard-earned money, and that more focus should be put on books and extracurricular activities, things more rewarding. Likewise, if a child immediately spends an entire allowance or earnings and has nothing left for the rest of the week, the parents might extend a loan which should be repaid. Thereafter, the child must learn the lesson that money does not grow on trees.
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