Some friends and I were talking recently about how different we thought things were for us when we were growing up. One friend confessed that while she had gone to a private, parochial school, she had to help pay for her own tuition when it became too expensive. Her parents said that she could go to public school, but if she stayed in the private school, she was going to have to contribute to the tuition from her own earnings. As for myself, I know that I had to pay for my own gas, oil, and car repairs once I started driving, as well as my own clothes, make-up and haircuts once I was in high school and had my own part-time jobs. It seems to have fallen out of fashion and is considered almost child abuse and neglect to expect kids to help pay for some of their own living expenses.
Deciding what is fair and reasonable has become harder, I think, as well as wrestling with changing public opinion. A generation or two ago, it was completely reasonable for kids to be expected to help out in family business and contribute to the household budget. Now that is considered completely unacceptable in some circles. But, what is really best for children and what builds character and prepares them for the real world they will be living in (in just a few short years)?
Of course, I don’t think making small children have to earn their keep is reasonable, but what about for teenagers? Shouldn’t teenagers be expected to start taking over some of their own living expenses–especially those that are not necessities like designer clothes, extra transportation, and recreational activities? What do you think–should kids help with their own living expenses? And what are reasonable, age-appropriate expectations?
See Also: To Pay or Not To Pay–Allowances and Chores
Should Teens Receive an Allowance if They Are Working?