Should Allowances Be Tied To Household Chores?
By vokey9472
@vokey9472 (1486)
United States
February 11, 2007 12:04pm CST
I am just wondering how many parents think allowances should be tied to the chores that their children do? My husband thinks a child should only be given an allowance so long as they do their chores and I believe that a child's allowance should have nothing to do with their household chores.
My husband's view is that by tying the allowance to the chores, it makes sure that the child will do the chores every day so that at the end of the week that child will get the allowance. Also, he thinks the amount should be set with no increases until the child is of an age to work at which time the allowance goes away and if the child wants money he has to get a job.
My view is that chores are a contribution the household. Evry member of a household has certain responsibilities to the running of and upkeep of the house. Therefor chores must be done no matter what. By tying the allowance to the chores, we teach our children that everything we do must have a price. I don't want to teach that to my son. I also believe that allowance amounts should be determined by the child's age and should increase accordingly. I also do not think that allowances should be stopped once a child reaches a working age. I personally would rather continue to give my child an allowance while he is in school than send him off to work at 16 so he can have money, but his grades suffer.
Currently, I give my son $5 every two weeks. He can spend it anyway that he wants after putting 10% in his savings account. I figure that as a member of the family he is entitled to some of the household money. Also, by letting him determine what he buys, he is learning how to manage his money. I think that as he gets older he should get more money every two weeks until he tops out at $50. I think that as children get older they need more money for things.
I remember getting an allowance and it increase every couple of years. My parents felt that I needed to have enough money to buy at least a happy meal every two weeks. As I got older my needs changed so my allowance got larger. I mean, is it really fair to give a 14 yr old $10 for an allowance and then expect that child to go to the movies with friends and pay their own way? No. At 14, the allowance should be enough to at least get into the movies and buy a coke.
How do other parents feel about allowances? I would like to get input on this so my hubby and I can stop arguing about it. Thanks.
5 responses
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 07
I fully agree, giving them chores is giving them responsibility, unfortunately in this day and age children get money too easily and too much of it without having to lift a finger. So when they grow up they expect this and expect society to owe them a living. By making them work for their pocket money teaches them good values and makes them hard working law abiding citizens, good on you. I certainly had to do jobs as a child to earn my pocket money and I never complained and to me it made earning the money more fun!
@beernpickles (6)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I feel as though if the kids are living in the house, they need to contribute to the household by means of chores. Everyone has his job and it needs to be done. If the kids need money, I feel as though it should be given to them as an as need bases, not just to have it in their hand. They can't really go anywhere without you...If the decision is made to have an allowence, it feel as though it should go into a savings account not for material things.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I am of the opinion that the child partakes in the family's responsibilities, then they partake in the family money (to some degree) their chores are their responsibilities to the family, so yes, in a sense I do think that allowances are linked into chores.
I will give extra money sometimes for them doing special jobs, but not always - as again - being a part of a living family, we must pitch in and do what needs to be done.
I am especially encouraged to give an extra token of my appreciation when there is no argument - or better yet when they take it upon themself to do a chore without having to be asked or told.
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I give my children allowances based on them taking care of their responsibilties. I not saying that it is based on their chores for those the earn video game time or TV time. I base theirs on how well they do their "job" at school.I keep in close contact with my childrens teachers. I make sure that all their school work is turned in on time an so forth.So in a way I do make my children ear their money per say but its my taking care of their own responsibilties.
@sirdunk2much (19)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Chores teach children responsibility. Participating in cleaning the house instills teamwork and developes charater in children. I think they should make money outside the house not inside the house. Paying children for doing work is going to teach them only to do things for money. They should know that they have to do some volunteer and community services as an act of "giving back"