by Anne Seyor

Created on: May 11, 2010

Yes adults are sending children the wrong message when they reward them with cash. This is because it is sending the message that cash is important, we are to strive for cash, Cash is not to be an important focus in life. Nor is cash meant to be what life is about. Life has many things that are more important than cash such as childhood innocence, other rewards, love, and dreams. I think a child's innocence where he or she does not know about economics is important to feeling free from financial responsibilities. This allows he or she to have a childhood where they can live like princes or princesses. There are other rewards instead of cash that do not require an account of figures. These rewards can include acts of affection, words or praise, and treats such as toys. Qualities of love like sharing and helping are focuses instead of earning and counting dollars as personal rewards. Rewards do not need to be defined as self-gain but rather giving to others, sharing and helping others. These focuses may bring about good nature, happier family homes, and balance of equality in resources so that the rich and poor gap does not continue to widen. So that there are less number of starving people and deaths from poverty.* These focuses may bring about a world I would be thankful for, ancestors I would be proud of and children who would also be proud of us because we direct and make a world that is loving instead of crying (injustice). I think adults ought to learn about the purpose of money, why economy exists, in order to handle our economic system to work for us instead of becoming slaves of debt. Until adults understand the extent of money's power and the implications it has upon lives, our world, I do not think adults are ready to be trainers and reward-ers of cash to children. By introducing this item that is cash comes responsibility to know how to train a child on perceiving the identity and purpose of cash. Especially this item because it is significantly used in this world.

To identity a child's gifts or dreams and skills developed from their passion is a focus that makes our world diverse. I disagree how money can be powerfully effective in overcasting a child's dream. I think it is not worth the risk of introducing cash as a reward system so early in a person's life when one is still discovering one's abilities and aspirations. For example, if cash becomes rewards that are constantly then learning about cash is the influential focus. This means the aim is to earn cash. The aim is to learn how to effectively earn cash and earn more. The aim is not focussed on exploring and identifying one's gifts, likes, dislikes. Therefore this leads to a world filled of capitalist, formal suited business minds or alike. With less diversity. With more sacrifices on what could become of one's gifts if one devoted a lifetime.

Yes parents are sending the wrong message when rewarding children's good behaviour with cash. Because rewarding children with cash is sending the message that cash is what a person should strive for. Good behaviour is not about rewards. Good behaviour is what provides a happy family home, is what makes life better because the world is a better place to live in. Good behaviour does not need cash as rewards because goodness is a reward itself. That is bad-ness leads to trouble therefore consequently is punishment itself. Introducing to children cash as rewards is a no. There are other suitable rewards for accomplishments.

*See www.globalpovertyproject.com

Learn more about this author, Anne Seyor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.