Why do schools not teach a consumer/credit understanding class?

Question

I think this should be given in all highschools , all 4 years make it mandatory ,,, just as important as English , Math , Science,etc.. since understanding money , and credit is only learned now by trial and error many young adults start off life already in the hole,, credit card companies have full time positions of persons coming up with ways to creatively think up unnecessary charges!

Answer 1

Excellent question.

My guess is someone (something) took an interest in ensuring this information wasn't taught.

If this was taught, and NO other subject was taught, people would finish school much better off, in my opinion.

Answer 2

I agree to a certain extent. I think every high school senior should be given the opportunity to learn this information. 4 years may be excessive. Many students coming from their parents home to the free, expansive world of college get into trouble with credit cards. Very few having any regard as to what kind of mess they are creating, myself included b/c of a cell phone collection account. I also think that a mandatory college course on this should be available. I would definitely say I would have taken much more from that class than any of my general electives.

Answer 3

I do not remember a focus on American gov't until my senior year of high school. Schools in Florida these days spend all their time teaching children how to pass the FCAT, instead of actually teaching curriculum. It is a huge mess! Americans are probably the laziest people of a wealthy nation when it comes to knowing what is going on in government and education. Our education falls so far behind the rest of the world, it is downright embarrassing, not to mention outrageous. Most Americans can name the three stooges, but far fewer Americans can name the three branches of government. Improving our children's education is essential, but first we (the adults) have to make some major changes ourselves. Like demand that news be reported accurately, by not allowing scandal to go unchecked, by holding our leaders to the same laws we follow, by making an INFORMED vote, and so on. I could go on for a while, but I'll get off my soapbox now.

Answer 4

the credit card companies pay the school system not to teach it so that the students in the future fail to read between the lines and get cards with high intrest rates and also so they charge more than they can pay off every month so they can make a profit.

Answer 5

I've thought about creating seminars for high school and colleges. I do agree it's so important, and most people don't learn proper money management from their parents.

Start your own. I've wanted to for years now, never spent the hours and hours it would take though. I wish someone would.

Answer 6

I think when it comes to financial responsibility it's the parents job to teach their children. I learned about financial responsibility from my parents and now I'm an adult living on my own and I'm financially responsible.

If a parent really wants their kid to learn then they would teach their kid themselves instead of waiting for the school system to teach them. I think the high school system already has enough burden trying to teach the kids the basics as well as trying to deal with heir attitudes.

If you want your child to learn about financial responsibility then it should be taught at a young age and continue to be taught until their grown. I think if you are waiting for your child to learn financial responsibility at the age of 14 you are already too late.

Consumer credit is also a choice made by people. Not everyone out there goes out and take credit cards out in their name and acts irresponsible with them as adults. I actually know more people without credit cards or with credit cards who are responsible as young adults as to ones who are irresponsible.

I also think when you are a child you should be taught to read the fine print on all documents you sign and contracts you get into. Not just listen to what the person has to say, but go in and read the fine print of everything. I know some people hate it, but it's necessary.

I was taught from a young age to ALWAYS read the fine print, as questions, and don't let someone pressure you into signing something until you are ready. It pays off on the long run too.

Parents are so busy trying to work and consumed with their own daily activities that they pass on the responsibility to others (such as pass the responsibility of teaching about financial responsibilities to the school system) or they neglect to teach their kids the important things.

When their kid grows up and takes out credit cards, max them out, and then have a large obiligation to pay off debt, then you need to go and blame the parents for not doing the correct thing which is teach financial responsibility.

I know my parents taught me, not my school, and I'm doing well. I know in high school I always went to a Business Magnent school and I don't recall a thing I learn, but instead I recall what my parents taught me: read the fine print of everything you sign, always read the terms and conditions, and to pay ahead of time or pay montly on time.

Answer 7

Yeah!

And CPR/first aid...
Sewing...
Cooking...
buying your first car...
getting a job...
basic fashion...
car repair...
home repair...
personal organization...
consumer awareness/advertising resistance...
dealing with bullies or drugs...
safe and/or no sex...
disease transmission...
coping with death, trauma...
tobacco and drinking resistance...
well lifestyles...
stress management...
public speaking...
world cultures...
survival Spanish...
survival whatever other languages are prominant in your area...
...and some other skills that other generations learned outside of school.

Let's add this- without, of course, lengthening the school day or year, or raising taxes!

Answer 8

YOU are so right!!!!

I would also suggest that people learn simple health, eg first aidand how to look up stuff on google, refs.
it seems to me that 95% of the questions we can all find the answers or a lead by looking it up!!

Answer 9

I couldn't agree with you more. I also think that Shakespeare crap is unneccesary unless you chose to take it in college.
Real life lessons along with proper grammar and math is what really matters.

Answer 10

I always thought colleges or high schools should teach "Common Sense 101"