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Parents

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Angela Young's article on this topic here on Helium strikes a chord with me, and I'm sure it does with other parents. Writing from a teen's perspective, she feels sharing in the costs of her driving expenses demonstrates responsibility. She questions her own eloquence in stating her view, but I think she's clearly captured the point of view that should be undebatable. (You go, Angela!)

I can't imagine any responsible parent arguing for footing 100% of their child's driving expenses. That kind of permissiveness undermines a teen's development into a responsible adult.

Yet, while the costs of driving can be shared in several ways, the easy arrangement of "You buy the gas, and I'll pay the insurance and upkeep" doesn't properly distribute risk and responsibility either.

To learn that actions have consequences, young drivers need to feel the pain when their choices and behind-the-wheel behavior result in increased financial burden. Parents who shield their young from this truth risk raising perennial children-those who never really grow up.

The best bet is for the parents to offer to pay a fixed portion of insurance costs, or any other driving-related costs, with the teen picking up the balance. If the teen's driving habits result in increased insurance rates, maintenance costs, or other auto-related expenses, the added cost has to be their responsibility because it is a direct result of their behavior. If they can't pony up their share, then the driving privileges have to go away.

That's fair, and it's one of the best behavioral modifiers. When you don't like it coming out of your pocket, you tend to quit doing it.

That kind of parental responsibility is sure to help create more budding adults such as Angela. We could use a world full of people like her.

Learn more about this author, Steve Holder.
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