It's back-to-school time, and most middle school students in Washington, D.C., are entering with new motivation to do well in school. The district is testing a new incentive program that rewards kids with money for getting good grades, and they could earn up to $100 per month.
While my parents didn't use money to motivate me to get good grades, many of my friends' parents paid them for doing well in school. Did your parents use money to motivate you?
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"I paid for my cheerleading and everything [by working at Wendy's for six years]. It was like whatever you want to do outside of school, you have to pay for it. I never had a car because I was always trying to save."
If you watched Gossip Girl this season you probably noticed the characters' drool-worthy clothes, gadgets, limos and upper-crusty lifestyles don't come cheap. Even though it's pure fiction, the show's depiction of a pack of wealthy New York City teenagers raises some questions about our culture's financial ideals and expectations. Namely, how much money should children and teenagers be given and what kind of monthly allowance are these teenagers getting? Giving children a weekly allowance can be a useful way to begin teaching them about the cost of living, but when should you stop giving your children allowance?
Photo courtesy of the CW
