Topic: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement. It is better for parents to let children manage their pocket money when they are young.
It is not a new observation that children can get certain amount of pocket money from their parents. However, many people have expressed their doubts on whether children should manage their pocket money on themselves. From my personally perspective, it is a good idea as long as children receive proper guidance and supervision from parents.
To begin with, the management of pocket money can help children understand the value of money. The reasons are twofold. For one thing, by dealing with money, children can develop a sense of what they can do with it. Even a very small amount works. Children can establish the sense of making decisions and independence when using their pocket money. For another thing, children can learn to buy things according to their economic capability. When the objective costs much more than they can afford, children will realize that there is always a limitation of money. They cannot obtain whatever they want. In this case, children will gradually form the concept of choosing and giving up.
Besides, children can develop the good habit on financing. Giving pocket money in proper ways can instruct children to form a benign habit of saving. For example, parents can give children a set amount each week regularly, making it clear that they cannot ask for more money besides this. Such regularly pocket money may be enough for daily snacks, but if children want to buy something "big", a story book or a Barbie toy, for instance, they will realize that they need to save some money to afford such things. At the end of a time--perhaps a month--children can spend the saved money exactly as they wish. If they choose to “waste” it on lollipops, they should be told that they must take the responsibility of losing the toy they want. Nevertheless, after being informed of the consequence, most children will choose to save for the particular thing rather than waste it on a brief pleasure. In this way, a good habit can be gradually developed.
Admittedly, some children may go astray when managing their pocket money. On the one hand, they may lose self-control, spending the all the money as soon as they get it, then continuously asking for more money. On the other hand, they may spend money on negative things, such as junk food, instead of what they should buy like books. Nevertheless, under the supervision and guidance from parents, such negative situations can be avoided. For instance, parents and children should together set up a rewarding and punishing system. Children can earn extra money for some special chores, such as washing the car or tending the lawn. If parents find some negative tendency, they can punish children according to rules.
In conclusion, through the management of pocket money, children can develop essential ability and healthy habit they need to survive and success in the future. Although it is a good method, it is not a teacher itself after all. Thus, Parents' involvement is always necessary until children can make wise judgment someday. (505 words)
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