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Teens views: Who buys the car: Teen or parent?
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| Parent | 49% | 164 votes | Total: 333 votes | |
| Teen | 51% | 169 votes |
Parent
by Toni Doswell
Created on: May 07, 2009
In reality, it is the parent who buys a teen a car. Even if the teenager has the money to purchase the car, that money is afforded him/her by parents. Parents do not charge the teen rent, food costs, utilities, and other necessities of living, therefore the teen is living at home and sheltered under the umbrella of the parents' finances. Because the teen is new in the business of owning a car, most parents somehow add their teen to their car insurance plan. Even if a teen has a job and has saved for a car, again, the great savings accrued by the teen is a direct result of the parents' kindnesses and generosity., so parents indirectly purchase the car.
Many parents want a teen to become independent of them, and therefore they pitch in and purchase a good "clunker" or transportation special for their teen. Through experience, most parents do not invest a lot in that first car. Of course the teen sees it as a means of emancipation, allowing him/her to come and go more freely. In our family, the teenager is given a nice transportation car, rust and all. As long as the car is mechanically sound and runs, that has been our main concern.
Teenagers who have part-time jobs and cars sometimes need a little help in maintaining their car when it breaks down. Most parents will pitch in and help out or loan the teen enough money for the repairs. Therefore, the parents have part ownership in the vehicle for a while. When more wealthy parents want to surprise their teen with a graduation present, they purchase the car as a reward for working hard in school and finishing high school. Others see a car as a necessity for their college bound teen. It should be noted that the car is hardly a surprise because more wealthy parents allow their child to have input into what kind of car to purchase. In poorer families, most parents just assist in purchasing a car. Some provide a good down payment. Some are willing to pay the car notes as long as the teen remains in school and goes on to college. Others opt to buy a PF (Paid For) up front.
No one can deny the fact that the first car teens owns are truly precious- new or used. You can see them vacuuming them out, washing them, polishing it, and trying to get good sound systems installed in it. They also set rules for passengers who ride in it such as "no smoking" or "no eating". I guess it is all a part of growing up. For most parents, they see car ownership as a wise investment for their teen. They realize that their child is midway between dependenceand independence. For this reason, most parents will buy a car for their child or help them purchase one of their own. Dad and Mom also do not want their child wrecking their brand new car or the family car as they learn to drive. Along with this, they look forward to the day when they can be chauffered by their adult child- just ride in the back seat knowing that they, by their generosity, helped to get the process going!
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Teen
by Holly Carlamere
Created on: March 21, 2010
When a child buys something with their own money, they are more appreciative of it. This is why a teenager should buy their own car. I have seen too many times a parent buy their teenager a car. Then what happens? The teenager is careless with it, and wrecks it. Of course some wrecks can not be helped but, if the teenager knows that they will have to pay for their own damages they will be more careful.
When a teenager buys their own car, the parent is teaching them responsibility. The teenager needs to know that not everything in life is given to them. Of course there are other ways to teach responsibility too, but this works better. When I was a teenager I had to buy my first car. I bought it for $1500.00. I saved up the money I worked for as a bus-girl in a restaurant. Doing this helped me to manage work better. For instance, only call out when you are sick, not just because you don't feel like going in. This is a part of life, and teenagers need to know this.
This also helps the teenager manage money better. Which is a good skill to have as an adult. They will learn that they cannot afford certain things, and they will learn what money they have to put away for savings. If a child does not have this in their life, they might not handle money that well in the future. If you want you child to be successful, you will give them this skill.
Sure buying your child their first car is a nice treat, and it does not mean that your a bad parent. I believe that you could also compromise with your child. For instance, whatever money they save up, you'll match. That is a good plan, and they are still getting responsibility. I do not believe though that a parent should buy the whole car. It does not teach the child anything. We as parents have a duty to teach our children the right things, so this way they will not become a burden of society.
Beyond all other ways to teach responsibiliy, having your child work for their car is the best option. They will take care of it better, and appreciate it more. Don't you hate it when your child breaks or looses something you bought for them? I do, that is because they do not appreciate it.
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