Paying for good grades?

Question

Although both of my kids are doing well in school, my husband thinks we should pay them for good grades. I just think that's wrong. What is your opinion and why?

I can't quite place why I'm against it, but I just feel it's wrong, for some reason. I guess I feel that not everything you do in life will be rewarded with money. Somethings you should do simply because it's the right thing to do.

Answer 1

I do not believe in paying a child for something he or she is doing in school. A praise of words, was good enough for my children. If I had to pay them for every "A", I would have gone broke. All my children did very well in school and they did so because they wanted too. They did not do well to please me, but to please themselves. I reward my children with love and attention.

Answer 2

I understand what you are saying about not paying for good grades.Let me put it this way I think that sometimes children need that extra incentive to produce.However I do not think it should be based solely on good grades. Not all students learn at the same rate and therefore even though the child tries 100% they are incapable of producing an A or even a B.Do you tell the child their best wasn't good enough?It is very frustrating for the sibling that sees their brother or sister seemingly sailing through school while he is struggling every day to get a C or D.A child needs to know they are more important than a letter grade. Learning centres utilize a token system as a reward for improvement in work levels and it works.Just use common sense in the reward system in the home and be sensitive to all your children. Don't be the one who makes your child feel like a failure before his life has even begun. No one, not even adults likes to feel "stupid" or "dumb".

Answer 3

I don't think bribing kids to get good grades is sending a very good message. To kids it's "If I get an A I get money". They are not learning the value of EARNING that A through their own efforts and hard work. The PRIDE they feel when they get that big red A on a paper should be the only payment they get otherwise grades are only going to be a bartering tool "If I get and A I want $10.00 so I can purchase that game I've been saving for". It's not the good grade that is important to the child but the money to purchase the all important game.

Answer 4

Way back in the early 60s, when I was in grade school, my sisters and I were given cash for As on our report cards.

Not only did we find this more encouraging than beatings for Ds, but we all went on to rather high academic achievements.

Of course, by the time we reached high school age, we found better rewards than simple money (such as qualification for the best colleges), but the idea was the same: achieve, and you'll reap rewards.

In college, we found the highest rewards of all: superior GPAs, elections to Phi Beta Kappa, automatic enrollment in grad school, and, of course, great positions after school.

Yeah, I'd say pay them. Show them a carrot in addition to a stick.



Memo to TD: As ARE better than Bs. If the kid can't make an A, then he gets paid for what he DOES merit.

Answer 5

I don't think it's a good idea, but it also depends on the method. Some people pay more for A's than B's, more for B's than C's, etc. I think that's completely wrong because it sends the wrong message to the child saying that A's are better than B's. which they are, but what if the child is really doing his very best but still can only manage to get a B??? That could seriously lower his self esteem....thinking he's not measuring up. Especially is there are other siblings where acedemics may come easier and they're getting paid more for less effort. I just think it's wrong.

Answer 6

I know some people that give their kids $5 for every A. We only give our kids $1 for each A. I do not think it is paying them for making good grades. We are just rewarding them for doing well in school.

Answer 7

I am a recently retired elem teacher , 55, with 2 grown children. I like to reward children by letting them pick what they want for a reward. Then it is more intrinsic than extrinsic. You will be surprised that it is often something simple like going out with mom or dad alone to have ice cream. Don't give them any suggestions, it needs to come from within. You can set some perameters, like cost, but ???? Kids usually enjoy emotional rewards better than materialistic.

Answer 8

My grandmother told me when I was in elementary school, if I got all As she would give me $20. It was something to strive for. I was so proud when I brought home a card with all As. But, make sure you tell them how proud you are of their effort if they get a B too. Cs were forbidden in my house. I did really well all through high school too. Give them some type of reward. So many kids today just don't care.

Answer 9

The way you put it sounds bad. I don't pay for good grades, I reward for good grades! It's an incentive. I give $1 for each A.

Answer 10

I agree with you. Paying your kids sends the wrong message, that doing well in school is not an expectation but rather something "extra". Also, since they are doing well in school already, there is no need to search for another way to motivate them; just continue to support their achievement.