Do you give your son 17-20 years old great pocket money or let him work??
By joucem
@joucem (69)
Tunisia
January 9, 2010 5:58am CST
Hello mylotters,
I think that this topic may have many different ideas, but I post him because I live this situation I am 18 years old and I need more then my pocket money given by my parents, so I have to work in weekend, but I get so so tired, may that my parents want me to work not to money , I realy don't understand why that, but I hate that work who is make me tired and I don't feel the money after that
butv I feel money really when it's done without any effort loool, ow not just me I think that all teenagers want that, in summer, I see all my friends work anywhere and get much money and that's good and I like that but there is work I like without physical effort I like work based on thinking and working with mind, but of course that is not available for teenagers, I wish that when I became working I get one of that jobs
So my friends, please feel free to share your ideas and thanks in advance
2 people like this
12 responses
@jkcokley (265)
• United States
9 Jan 10
I don't give my children money as in pocket money and I do require them to work in some fashion to get money from me. Chores around the house, etc..., My dau is 19 and I don't give her money to go do things. She must work for that. she is working part time to earn her so call pocket money. I however pay for her gas, food, shelter, car insurance and clothing.
I believe it is important for a young adult to work but I also believe they need to use their minds to create something better for themselves. I just read a book that reall buts a finger on what I am trying to say and for you I suggest you read it. I hope it helps. Rich Dad , Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. This will teach you something about money - you didn't learn in school.
Good luck and best wishes on your future.
@jkcokley (265)
• United States
10 Jan 10
The kids have to learn about the real world at some point. Working for your money is part of the real world. If they get upset by that then so be it. The real world does not put money into your hands.You have to come up with ways to obtain money or work for it. School or no school. Young adults have this since of entitlment that they should be given things and the sooner that bubble is burst the better. No one is entitled to anything that includes me. If I teach my children that a fist of money is coming to them every month they will just want more and for what? Yes, studing is important but in the real world people work to obtain that money or they think of ways to obtain that money that is legal by becoming business men. It would be a sad day for a student or child to wake up one morning and have their parents tell them, yeah we are cutting you off, you have to go earn your leaving. Truly what lesson have a taught my child if I just give them pocket money when ever they need or want it. I don't know have this is in other countries outside the U.S.A but I know that I have to prepare my child for the real world, the world outside of the classroom.
@joucem (69)
• Tunisia
10 Jan 10
thanks very much jkcokley,
good ideas but you don't think that they will get angry to see their friends get pocket money without any work, I speak of course of who study and work, because education must have full time to study or to relax,
thanks again for your respond and I wait you for comment
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
9 Jan 10
My oldest son is 14 years old. I get him to do jobs for me around my house and I pay him for those. He erects fat packed furniture and puts things up the loft. The last job he did for me was remove the decking from my garden. It was breaking and so it was dangerous. Now there is safer concrete on the ground just outside my patio doors. I don't give my son pocket money. I wish he would get a paper round.
When he is age 16 to 18 I will give him a study allowance payment each month. After age 18 only if he is in higher education studies will I continue to pay him that. I wish him to get a lovely career that he will enjoy.
@mammy71 (69)
• United States
9 Jan 10
well you are 18 years old yes you should start to show incentive to go get a job your parents cannot provide for you all the time.. there has to be some thing around your area where you can work even if it is shoveling snow, mowing the grass ,paper route.. that way you will feel good about yourself.... you will be out on your own some day and this will be a start .
@joucem (69)
• Tunisia
10 Jan 10
hello maximax, that's good to encourage your son to work, but of course simple work that he can do,
but he may be get bored and angry when he see his friends have pocket money without any work and he will feel very bad, you have to take care about this part, for me when I will have son I will try to never let him feel that, because I know that's feeling and I hate that situation when you see your friends buy buy and have usually great pocket money
mammy71,
I can not work all the time I study and I just work in weekend but I feel so tired because the weekend is to relax but me no I work, that's why I get bored very much, anyway I thank my parents of course that they help me how they can
thanks for your replies you too
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Jan 10
I notice that you seem really upset by your friends that don't work and yet get money from the parents. Please don't feel that way. your parents are doing you a huge favor by not providing you everything tho you may not see it that way now. I hope by the time you do have a child that you realize that you would be doing them more harm than good by providing them everything without having to work for it! Your friends that you are comparing yourself to are spoiled and will never learn to fend for themselves easily if everything is just handed over to them. When the parents are no longer around to provide then they will be hurting. I know it seems really tough right now but in the long run you will be much stronger than those friends you think have it so great right now.
@coolcat123 (4387)
• India
10 Jan 10
it depends on the financial conditions of the parent whether they are bale to give their child more or have to depend on them now. The age does not matter much untill the parents want to give their child everything while the child wants to be on himself as soon as possible.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Jan 10
Hi Joucem,
I live in the U.S. and here things are different than from where you are from, I think. I was raised to believe that no one owes us a living in this world. We work for a living. I am a woman and when I was a kid, I worked for extra money by babysitting. I also had many chores at home to earn the extras that I wanted. I have 4 girls and I raised them the same way. I am not always going to be here to help them out and I want to make sure they are able to fend for themselves. I also did not want them to go from me to a man who would support them but maybe not treat them right and have them feel that they had to stay in such a situation just because he was providing for her. Here in the states, one is considered an adult at the age of 18. I was on my own at that age. Independence equals freedom. Some kids do stay on with mom & dad beyond that age. I don't envy them a bit. There is always a price to pay some way or another when you rely on others to pay your way.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Jan 10
Parents want their children to get jobs as soon as they are legally able so that they can learn that money doesn't grow on trees, and the value of money. Bills go up, and hours at work go down, but if you save and learn how to utilize the money your better off. Your, is a "general" word in this sense, as I am not talking about you alone.
My husband and I are just starting out, we don't have children yet, but we're learning fast the value of our money. We've both had jobs before but never had to spend on things, I had a cellphone bill but that was it. Now though we're learning more as we're having to pay (bills) more.
Well I hope that you can find a job that suits you, but keep up the good work at your current job, and try going up the ranks there, even if you don't stay with that job for more then a few years, atleast your work history will reflect good on you.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jan 10
Yes, getting or finishing an education can be hectic on scheduling and mean for less hours. Hopefully you'll be able to get more time for more hours at a job, though mylotting can also make you a bit more of pocket money as well, just don't forget to study.
@joucem (69)
• Tunisia
10 Jan 10
oh that's true, but if I don't study of course I will work and get money for myself but I have education and this is the terminal (BAC)
so I work Saturday just for few money because my pocket money is few
thanks very much somecowgirl for your ideal respond
1 person likes this
@benny128 (3615)
•
10 Jan 10
well personally once you reach the age of 18 I do believe that people then become adults and need to sustain themselves.
I assume that you live with parents so they are cooking and keeping a roof over your head.
I have always worked from the age of 16 and have worked in jobs I hated but that is life.
So in answer to your question you are very lucky to still be getting pocket money once my kids reach working age I will expect them to support themselves as it introduces them to the value of money and also to the world of work.
@joucem (69)
• Tunisia
10 Jan 10
I am thankful to my family very much for that, but I can not really find much time to do that, I study all the time this year is the terminal (BAC)
and I just work in Saturday, may I have to work in every holiday
may what me more angry that I see my friends have great pocket money without any work, may that's just encourage for education
anyway thanks for your reply
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
9 Jan 10
I was giving my son pocket money enough to his basic needs. If any extra expenditure came, then I used to give for that like exam fees, repair for the vehicle etc. If your parents are capable of giving little extra for your luxury, then ask them. If it is necessary, then they will give you. But you cannot ask for extravagent expenditure is it not?
@lindiebiz (1006)
• Canada
10 Jan 10
My advice to you is if you don't like your job how look for another one, like you said it is really unfortunate that the jobs that are available for you age group involves physical work but that is the way it is. when you go to college and graduate, you would be able to get a better job which are less physical but don't depend on your parents.
@saphrina (31552)
• South Africa
9 Jan 10
Okay, first of all i need to know, exactly what kind of work you are doing now, that you do not like at all. As we say in our country,'If you want the mulah, you jive to the tune'. Weird saying, but true. We normally give a 17 year old, R450 South African a month. If he needs more he has to get a job on school holidays. He obviously has his chores at home, to earn that pocket money. If you do not like the job you are doing now, go give waitering a try, you make quite a lot of tips, or deliver newspapers. If you really need something to let the mind on the move, try some of the computer stores. I am sure that you will eventually get something that you like and the pay is to your satisfaction. Whatever you do, do not give up.
@joucem (69)
• Tunisia
10 Jan 10
thanks very much saphrina for your suggests,
I can not do a work who take lot of time, I study this year the terminal (BAC) and the time is very important for us, and I work right now Carpentry with my neighbor in Saturday 4 hours and I get 2.5$ can you believe? very few
and for delivering newspaper I don't have any idea for that
I am so skilled in computer but I can not work in it because there is many stores and they work in everyone about 3
so that's so complicated thanks anyway very much my friend
I really appreciate your respond
@FallenGurl (195)
• Canada
9 Jan 10
I don't have kids, so i'll speak from my experience. From the time i was like 16 i think it was, i was working, i have 3 older brothers, so for my parents to give me pocket money was out of the question, so i had to work, i liked working so it didn't bother me to do so. So when i got paid, it was all up to me how i wanted to spend my money. And there nothing better than looking at a check knowing you earned that money rather than just having it handed to you. When i was 13 i was babysitting, when i was 17 i was working 2 jobs the same time, when i graduated high school, i moved away to work all summer. If you want money, it's best to work for it.
@joucem (69)
• Tunisia
10 Jan 10
that's soooooo great my friend, I'm surprised really I congratulate you for that, look so, I have 2 brothers and 2 daughters and I study this year is the terminal (BAC), and the time is very important for me I work just Saturday 4 hours, I'm so tired but I have to work because the pocket money given by my parents are so few, I am really surprised by your respond, very good thoughts and ideas
thanks again for your respond
@xtremelyperfect (94)
• Malaysia
9 Jan 10
Basic amount of pocket money for food and stationary is a must.
But if you need more (e.g. for entertainment or gadgets), you will have to work and get it yourself.
This is to let you know that it's hard to earn for money, otherwise you will not treasure the money given by your parents :)
