Should schools teach kids how to handle money better?

Question

By the way many young people spend theirselves into debt it will take decades to get out of it seems parents aren't doing a good enough job of teaching it at home. Would the country be better off if its citizens knew how to handle money, or would that kill the economy?

Answer 1

i think they should have 3to 5 classes in junior high and high scholl for kids to go to so that they get better at money.

Answer 2

Absolutely. The schools should provide a basic finance class for all students who want to take it. When high-schoolers graduate, many of them have no idea how to spend their money wisely. There should also be some sort of class that would explain how long a credit card debt can take to be paid off. Many people have trouble paying off their credit cards.

No, I do not think that the economy would suffer. People would simply make better decisions about when and where to spend their money. Although much money is made from the credit card industry, much money is made when people buy houses, cars, and boats through financing. Education is the key to our economy and to keeping it growing.

Answer 3

this is a consumer-driven economy. the economy would be worse off if people saved every dime they made. Schools already have to teach gym, sex-ed, art, and now black history month. don't we spend enough time at school teaching crap instead of the basics? That's why americans do terrible on tests that only measure math and reading. American kids are much better well-rounded students since they go to college in higher numbers and have more degrees than any other nation, but are not strong in math, reading, and science because we spend too much time teaching junk like saving money.

Answer 4

There should be classes for high schools. Maybe it will reach a few. However, the real lessons should start at home. Too many kids are taught by their parents who usually don't do any better themselves. Considering some of the grammar and punctuation on Yahoo Answers, I am not so sure some have any education.

Answer 5

I think that the economy would survive just fine if more people taught their children how to manage money better. This wouldn't stop them from spending period, just from overspending. This is without even mentioning that everyone that is taught will not apply what they have learned.

Answer 6

yes they should...they should have Mock Living expenses for a month...and have a set amount of monthly finances and learn how to pay bills and find out what its like when your living on your own. They should learn that just spending on impulse is a real problem.

Answer 7

Yes. I think things that have a practical application (like how to handle money sensibly) are far more useful than those which are purely academic (like plain maths), and should be a priority.

Answer 8

I think so, my daughter is 8 an she has no consept of what $$$ is example - Total is $ 3.00, an she gives a $ 5.00.......We pay school taxes so I would say yes....