Name: Ung S Tun Anh - Steve

School: ISB International School of Business

Class: Business Academic Skills

Assignment 2: Expository Essay

Date: May 21st, 2015

Teaching Children with Chores and Allowances

Most parents want to raise a self - disciplined, independent child who should understand

the value of money and know that doing chores can provide not only money and financial, but it

is also a duty. Many parents see the theory of offering pocket money in return for help around the

house looks like something of a win - win situation. Their children will not only learn valuable

household skills to prepare themselves for the independent living, where they have to do

everything their own and also learn that earning cash from hard working should not be wasted but

spent on something important or saving for the future. In return parents get some help around the

house and can feel assured that the children they are raising know how to use a washing machine

or mopping the floor and other household skills. By teaching their children that money from

working is the reward, it helps them learn that achieve from small things like household skills,

they will understand the value of money and works by their own sweats. Therefore, parents

should give their kids allowances as a reward for doing chores.

On the other hand, some parents think that they only need to give children an allowance

no matter what. They argued that their children should have their own money to spend and also

need to learn how to save and budget money only. They also believe that they have to provide for

the needs or the money for their children and by doing so, it will teach kids how to spend and

how to manage financial management until the child is ready to work and mature enough to make
responsible spending. According to Dr. Jeffrey L. Derevensky (1999), An allowance can be an

excellent teaching tool. It can help children learn the value of money, how to budget, how to

save, and perhaps how to invest. Getting a regular allowance without any condition, work or

task to accomplish gives children the first opportunity of doing some careful planning of

finances. They can save their allowance for the future or buy things that parents never buy for

them before they have a real job.

But others believe that giving allowance for kids when they completed chores is a better

idea. According to Dr. Bob Wilmott (26 Mar 2009), It's important to make this connection so

kids learn the relationship between work and pay. Because giving children an allowance without

doing anything does not teach them that they have to work to earn their money, it should only be

given to them when they have completed the given tasks. They should be expected to complete

their chores, homework or anything suitable for their ages. Parents always expected their children

to complete their chores, homework or anything suitable for their ages. Children also need to

learn responsibility and if parents just giving pocket money and doing everything for them, they

will not appreciate things when they grow up. First, it helps children learn to work and make

money for themselves. Adults have to work for their money, so children should, too. Giving

children weekly or monthly allowances for completing chores can help develop the way to

independence, also teaching them about the value of money and that instant satisfaction does not

always lead to long term enjoyment, you work you get pay. It also prepared for children before

entering the real world, where there is no product or service that can get for free. Another

research by Annye Rothenberg, Ph.D. (2009, 2011) has found that Childrens endless desire to

buy new things is a major issue for parents to provide guidance on. Children should be learning

that it takes work to earn money to buy things and that money doesnt come too easily.
 Second, doing household chores helps building good behaviors and working habits for

their children because it helps children to see the consequences, can be positive or negative of

their actions. It is also a first lesson for children to prepare to enter the workplace, teaching them

how to become a useful part of society. They work, they get paid, but they will not get anything if

they do not work. Working overtime can be rewarded with more money and ineffective work

may have less money or no bonus, which is also the obvious in the life. Therefore, it helps

children to understand that to get a reward that they must behave well and diligent at work, it also

is the basis for their future. He stated, Kids who did chores had the most positive mental health

profiles in adulthood (Richard Rende, 2014, Oct 23).

And lastly, children should not always expect more money rewards for their good

behavior or completing chores. One study by Ross Atkin (1999, July 07) found that, "Children

are encouraged to help out just because their help is needed and they are part of the family, but

their allowances aren't contingent on doing any chores or getting an A in school. It is important

for parents to find the right amount to give. Giving too much money can make children

misunderstand the purpose of teaching simply because they are part of a family and must work

together. On the other hand, too little money might make a child feel unsatisfied, as if his or her

work is has no value or the payment is paid too cheap. The suitable allowance amount depends

upon the amount of household chores the child is expected to do at their ages. If the child is only

ten years old or younger, giving them an easy job as cleaning their room and reward a candy or

their favorite food for dinner is probably enough. For the fourteen and older you should give

them more jobs besides keeping their rooms clean such as: washing dishes after meals,

vacuuming the house, and taking out the trash; then rewarding money such as ten dollars a week

is more acceptable.
 In conclusion, the decision to give a child an allowance with a right amount is an

important one. Not so many parents have the time to think about the results, the profitable or loss,

it is completely dependent on their children. Due to the fact that allowances to help children

prepare for the future, it must be considered carefully. When raising children, it is very important

to make sure good behavior is built so that the child will grow to become a responsible adult for

their works. If the allowance is not tied to work or appropriate behavior, these values will be

meaningless. Parents should also teach children to understand and treasure their money because it

comes from their sweats and efforts they have made. Work and study will be the basis for the

future development of children. Based on the information cited from above, parents should teach

their children learn how to make money, wisely spending and understand the value of money

help children growing up positive and independent from early ages by assigning chores and

rewarding allowances for them.

Word count: 1321

 References

Derevensky, J. (1999, Apr 19). To give or not to give: An allowance can help children to learn

about money management. The Gazette. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/433471714?accountid=63189

Wilmott, B., & Cardinal Glennon Children's, M. C. (2009, Mar 26). Allowance teaches basics of

money management children learn how to save, how to give and how to deal with limited

resources. healthy kids. St.Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/403212924?accountid=63189

Rothenberg, A. (2009, 2011). Should Kids Help with Family Chores. Retrieved from

http://www.perfectingparentingpress.com/art_HelpWithChores.html

Rende, R. (2014, Oct 23). Chores still good for kids. The Times Tribune. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1615316606?accountid=63189

Atkin, R. (1999, Jul 07). Allowances: How much? what age? Chores? Edmonton

Journal. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/252719008?accountid=63189