With every era comes new challenges, the way we lived in previous era is not the same with how we live now, this change affect every living thing on earth. When I was a kid, the term allowance was not really spelt out. The reason is a little complex. Compared to most children, I didn't live with my parents during my secondary education. I attended a boarding school and In boarding school allowance is tantamount to survival.
While I was in boarding school, I received allowance with no questions asked but whenever I came home during holidays, the term "allowance" becomes nonexistent. The reason was not explained but we just kind of got the gist. Which means as long as we are being fed and catered for while we were at home, we were not entitled to allowance. In those days, we called it "pocket money" and when I say we, I'm referring to I and my elder brother, we both attended the same boarding school.
But in those days, there were things we don't have much access to, things like phones e.t.c I and my brother finished secondary school before we were allowed to have our own phones but in this era, things have changed. Children now use phones to study in schools, they now have access to internet and with these comes subscription expenses. Aside from that, the form of parenting has changed.
In today's era, people treat children like adults, Children go on vacation of their chosing, visit a friend's house to spend some time. Parents now use money to entice children, so that they wouldn't get involved in atrocities for the sake of money. In those days it was different, children right was not that potent. Our needs and wants were dictated, with this comes limited expenses.
In today's environment, children have lot of things to use money for, it is either for gaming or shopping. In those days, how many gaming centers do we have? In fact, when we go shopping, we were bag carriers, it is our parents that picks what was needed. These days, when visitors comes and gift children money, the next thing they will do is to go outside and buy stuff; you dare not in those days.
In fact, you don't need to be told, one bombastic side eye is enough. We smile to collect the gift but as soon as the guest leaves, we remit what was given to our parent. They will be the one to decide how it is spent. In those days, children don't really have things to use money for, apart from by goodies in school but it is not the same in this era.
Will it be okay to give kids allowance? yeah it is. The manner of parenting is no longer what it used to be, the term allowance is now a tool for up keep for children regardless of who they are living with. Though it kind of depends on a parent financial capacity but for parent with the means,I believe it is the right thing to do. It also helps kids to learn how to handle money and learn financial literacy at a young age.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled Allowance in hive learners community.
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