After the election, newspapers and news services were filled with stories about children crying and suffering anxiety and distress over the election of Donald Trump as President. Many adults may have thought this to be an over-reaction. But we're talking about our youngest citizens, who have the sometimes disarming and sometimes disquieting tendency to speak the truth without the convenient filters adults use to soften the harshness of reality. Why would kids harbor such fear? There's a simple reason.
The generation that's now in primary schools is approximately half minority. By 2020, children under 18 will be majority minority. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-tps16.html When Trump blew a fuse over a racial category, a religion, or an ethnic group, the blast hit perhaps up to half these kids in a very personal way. And when Trump delved into misogynistic ranting about women, a partially different half of this generation was directly impacted. They've been raised to believe that girls and women are worthy, and deserving of dignity and respect. The specter of a boorish pig in the White House flies in the face of everything that today's parents and schools try to teach. And remember also that large numbers of white children believe in diversity and respectfulness for all. They're more colorblind than the Boomer Generation. Many of their good friends aren't white, and they cherish and value their friends.
So, it would seem that Donald Trump, with his hateful cacophony, has likely frightened and offended over half of today's children one way or another. As they grow older, these childhood fears may well morph into anger and a desire for change. By the 2040s, America as a whole will be majority minority. Today belongs to the Republican Party. But its victory may have sown the seeds for its demise.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2016
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
What Makes a Child Successful As an Adult?
This is the $64,000 question for parents and children. There's no single correct answer for all children. Indeed, there isn't a universally accepted definition of success--a thrice-divorced workaholic who becomes the CEO of a Standard and Poors 500 company but is a stranger to his or her children may be seen by some as obsessive, not successful.
Nevertheless, career success, for better or for worse, matters a lot. A recent article by CNBC about the first jobs of corporate CEOs (http://www.cnbc.com/id/43223409) offers intriguing insights into the roots of career success. Although the article covers only 10 individuals, hardly a statistically significant sample, it reports that many started with jobs that few upper middle class Americans would want for their children--dishwasher, paper boy, lawn mower, restaurant server, warehouse worker, oyster shucker--and a majority started working before the age of 18. Almost none had the resume burnishing, internship intensive experiences that kids from comfortable suburbs today voraciously seek. Volunteering, if done, isn't mentioned in the article. Neither is overseas travel.
The first jobs for these CEOs generally offer dull, repetitive and intellectually unchallenging work that requires conscientiousness and a tolerance for boredom. They reward those who are willing to work hard, and preferably cheerfully. A child so employed learns that doing the job well and getting it done are rewarded. Enjoying the job, or finding it enriching, are secondary. The enrichment the child gets is greater discipline, persistence and reliability. These traits can pay very large dividends later in life. While they aren't the only components of success--ability, education, personality and, last but certainly not least, luck, play critical roles as well--it would seem that starting off with a low paying, low status job may actually be an excellent opportunity to learn how to work. Don't take my word for it. Ask the CEOs in CNBC's article.
Nevertheless, career success, for better or for worse, matters a lot. A recent article by CNBC about the first jobs of corporate CEOs (http://www.cnbc.com/id/43223409) offers intriguing insights into the roots of career success. Although the article covers only 10 individuals, hardly a statistically significant sample, it reports that many started with jobs that few upper middle class Americans would want for their children--dishwasher, paper boy, lawn mower, restaurant server, warehouse worker, oyster shucker--and a majority started working before the age of 18. Almost none had the resume burnishing, internship intensive experiences that kids from comfortable suburbs today voraciously seek. Volunteering, if done, isn't mentioned in the article. Neither is overseas travel.
The first jobs for these CEOs generally offer dull, repetitive and intellectually unchallenging work that requires conscientiousness and a tolerance for boredom. They reward those who are willing to work hard, and preferably cheerfully. A child so employed learns that doing the job well and getting it done are rewarded. Enjoying the job, or finding it enriching, are secondary. The enrichment the child gets is greater discipline, persistence and reliability. These traits can pay very large dividends later in life. While they aren't the only components of success--ability, education, personality and, last but certainly not least, luck, play critical roles as well--it would seem that starting off with a low paying, low status job may actually be an excellent opportunity to learn how to work. Don't take my word for it. Ask the CEOs in CNBC's article.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
How to Teach a Child to Manage Money and Save
The easiest way to build wealth is to start early and save often. A child who learns basic money management skills will spend sensibly and save as soon as he or she enters the adult work force. A person in his or her 20's that has the habit of saving and investing will benefit from a lifetime of good money habits. How do you teach a child to manage money?
1. Give the child an allowance and a piggy bank. After the child has learned to count (at least up to 100), and is familiar with cash (coins and bills), give the child two things simultaneously.
First is an allowance appropriate to the child's age. At age 7, 8 or thereabouts, something like $2 a week might be a good place to start. That's enough to buy a few little things, but not enough for the little one to get into trouble. This allows the child to become familiar with money.
Second is a piggy bank. It is important for the child to understand from the outset that money can be saved for future use and that saving some or all of the allowance will build up money for more expensive things. The child will learn very quickly to think about money as a resource that can be conserved and made to grow over time.
It's important to give the child the allowance and the piggy bank at the same time. Receiving money and saving it should be associated in his or her mind from an early age.
2. Hold the Line on the Allowance. If the child spends all of his or her allowance and then wants a supplement before next week's allowance, don't give in. The child should learn that money is a limited resource and must be spent wisely. Increasing the allowance as the child grows older makes sense. But whatever the amount, don't supplement it. It's important for the young one to learn how to control the impulse to spend.
3. Encourage Math Skills. All aspects of handling money--spending, saving and investing--require an understanding of math. Basic elementary school arithmetic--addition, subtraction, multiplication and division--is sufficient to handle most daily money problems. A middle school level understanding of decimals, exponents and how to read charts and graphs is helpful to understanding investments. Financial markets enthusiasts and Wall Street professionals often use more advanced math, such as statistics and differential equations. The more easily a child grasps mathematical concepts, the better prepared he or she will be to deal with money and investments. It helps if the child can do simple arithmetic in his or her head, without the need for a calculator. Make a game or contest of memorizing multiplication tables; your child will reap a lifetime of rewards from this bit of knowledge.
4. Have the Child Open a Savings Account During High School. Many parents give their kids credit cards (usually with a very small limit) at some point during high school. This isn't a bad idea, since it helps the child to learn about the modern financial system. But don't just give the young one the means to spend. Teach the child how to use the financial system to save and build wealth. Many banks offer special interest bearing accounts for children that allow very small balances without any fees or charges. These accounts can sometimes be opened for as little as $25 or $50. Make sure your child has one, preferably during high school. Watching the balance grow and accrue interest will teach your child about the process of building wealth. This is something a young person should understand before going off into adulthood.
5. Set a Good Example. Kids take after their parents. We all know that. Set a good example for your kids and be sensible about money. You'll not only be rewarded with financially skillful children, but may boost your own retirement portfolio in the process.
For more ideas about kids and money, check out Kids & Money at http://www.money-hacks.com/2008/05/kids-money-may-9-2008-found-edition.html.
For more ideas about money and personal development, check out the Personal Development Carnival: http://personaldevelopmentcarnival.com/.
More on Kids: Children conceived in the summer tend to do less well on a standardized test. See http://www.nbc4.com/family/13270087/detail.html. Hmmmmm. Well, summer's not a bad time to take cold showers anyway. But health care workers beware. There could be seasonal layoffs in the maternity wards from March through May.
Strange News: For all you fashion plates, read the latest about antibacterial ties: www.nbc4.com/technology/13271695/detail.html. Is someone getting a little too obsessive?
1. Give the child an allowance and a piggy bank. After the child has learned to count (at least up to 100), and is familiar with cash (coins and bills), give the child two things simultaneously.
First is an allowance appropriate to the child's age. At age 7, 8 or thereabouts, something like $2 a week might be a good place to start. That's enough to buy a few little things, but not enough for the little one to get into trouble. This allows the child to become familiar with money.
Second is a piggy bank. It is important for the child to understand from the outset that money can be saved for future use and that saving some or all of the allowance will build up money for more expensive things. The child will learn very quickly to think about money as a resource that can be conserved and made to grow over time.
It's important to give the child the allowance and the piggy bank at the same time. Receiving money and saving it should be associated in his or her mind from an early age.
2. Hold the Line on the Allowance. If the child spends all of his or her allowance and then wants a supplement before next week's allowance, don't give in. The child should learn that money is a limited resource and must be spent wisely. Increasing the allowance as the child grows older makes sense. But whatever the amount, don't supplement it. It's important for the young one to learn how to control the impulse to spend.
3. Encourage Math Skills. All aspects of handling money--spending, saving and investing--require an understanding of math. Basic elementary school arithmetic--addition, subtraction, multiplication and division--is sufficient to handle most daily money problems. A middle school level understanding of decimals, exponents and how to read charts and graphs is helpful to understanding investments. Financial markets enthusiasts and Wall Street professionals often use more advanced math, such as statistics and differential equations. The more easily a child grasps mathematical concepts, the better prepared he or she will be to deal with money and investments. It helps if the child can do simple arithmetic in his or her head, without the need for a calculator. Make a game or contest of memorizing multiplication tables; your child will reap a lifetime of rewards from this bit of knowledge.
4. Have the Child Open a Savings Account During High School. Many parents give their kids credit cards (usually with a very small limit) at some point during high school. This isn't a bad idea, since it helps the child to learn about the modern financial system. But don't just give the young one the means to spend. Teach the child how to use the financial system to save and build wealth. Many banks offer special interest bearing accounts for children that allow very small balances without any fees or charges. These accounts can sometimes be opened for as little as $25 or $50. Make sure your child has one, preferably during high school. Watching the balance grow and accrue interest will teach your child about the process of building wealth. This is something a young person should understand before going off into adulthood.
5. Set a Good Example. Kids take after their parents. We all know that. Set a good example for your kids and be sensible about money. You'll not only be rewarded with financially skillful children, but may boost your own retirement portfolio in the process.
For more ideas about kids and money, check out Kids & Money at http://www.money-hacks.com/2008/05/kids-money-may-9-2008-found-edition.html.
For more ideas about money and personal development, check out the Personal Development Carnival: http://personaldevelopmentcarnival.com/.
More on Kids: Children conceived in the summer tend to do less well on a standardized test. See http://www.nbc4.com/family/13270087/detail.html. Hmmmmm. Well, summer's not a bad time to take cold showers anyway. But health care workers beware. There could be seasonal layoffs in the maternity wards from March through May.
Strange News: For all you fashion plates, read the latest about antibacterial ties: www.nbc4.com/technology/13271695/detail.html. Is someone getting a little too obsessive?
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