According to Wendy van den Hende, chief executive of the Personal Finance Education Group (Pfeg), children need more suitable financial education if they are to develop sufficient awareness of how to use monetary products such as personal loans and savings accounts when they are older. She stated that although many children are currently "interested in money matters" and "do see its relevance", the education they receive is often not matched to their financial needs.
She said: "Young people have all sorts of exposure to finance in all sorts of ways. They are very good consumers, a lot of them have jobs outside of school and they are very sophisticated ... but they are not actually taught about finance. There seems to be an expectation that they will pick things up by some kind of osmosis, which tends not to happen."
Ms van den Hende added that "it is really important" for children to learn about personal finance at an early age. As research from the firm shows that two-thirds of teenagers lack understanding about loans, savings and other fiscal matters, the chief executive pointed out that it is vital such education is provided at an early age so that they have a good knowledge base on which to build in later life. Consequently, she advised that there needs to be more structure and coherency applied to financial education, especially when children make the transition from primary to secondary school.
Her comments come after research carried out in the group's What Money Means initiative earlier this year revealed that more than three-quarters (76 per cent) of children between the ages of seven and 11 are currently saving money. The study also indicated that a third of young people see saving up cash as the best way in which to finance making a purchase. "We need to help build on these good behaviours and attitudes [while children are young] to keep them going because as they get older they will inevitably start experiencing peer pressure and will be exposed to the media trying to sell them things," the PFEG chief executive pointed out.
And as a result of improved financial education when they were younger, consumers may well develop a more responsible and knowing attitude should they look to borrow money in later life. This in turn could help them to search out a cheap loan, which could be particularly helpful should Britons wish to make a major purchase, such as a house or a car. Earlier this month, research conducted by Nationwide showed that about a quarter (24 per cent) of teenagers would take out a personal loan or another form of borrowing to help finance such buying. The study also indicated that 24 per cent of teenagers believe that they do not have a good knowledge of finance, while 38 per cent state that they would turn to their school for information on money matters.
National Endowment For Financial Education
Today the financial odds are stacked against your children. Every day, more Americans are falling victim to runaway personal debt, an empty savings account, and inadequate retirement planning all because they lack a practical financial education. It's not taught at school so this is where you come in.
A recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) predicts that one out of every three workers will have nothing ($0) saved in a 401k style account by 2050. This statistic is supported by the National Association of State Boards of Education's report that states 'most workers are not participating sufficiently enough to allow comfortable retirement'. What makes this study scary is the fact that social security and pensions probably will not be around in the future so the need for financial security is more important than ever.
Not only will a practical financial education benefit young adults in the long-term but it will also have considerable positive effects right now. The latest studies show that over fifty percent of college graduates are planning to move back with their parents. According to the Student Monitor, 62% of college graduates leave school with $27,236 in debt. In addition, less than one-quarter of students and only 20% of parents say students are very well prepared to deal with the financial challenges that await them after graduation. Giving them a practical financial education prior to them leaving home will save them from these problems.
Most parents realize the importance of a financial education and are already aware that public high schools do not provide young adults with the necessary money skills. Parents know the significant positive impact that a practical financial education will have on their kids future. So parents it's up to you to provide your children with the financial skills they need to make it in today's society.
Even if you have made financial errors yourself there are resources available to help give your children the advantages many parents wish they had. Looking at the statistics it is apparent the majority of parents do not have enough knowledge to raise a financially responsible teenager. Public high schools have been teaching similar subjects for the last 50 years and financial education is not one of them. Consequently, many parents learned about money from the school of hard knocks and do not feel qualified to raise a financially independent teenager.
This lack of financial knowledge gets passed down through the generations because most children learn about money from their parents. Sadly, because parents weren't taught about money either, they don't feel qualified to teach their kids practical financial skills. The good news is that learning the basics of personal money management is much easier and faster than picking up most courses in high school. The financial skills gained will last a lifetime and affect your child's life profoundly for the better.
Getting your kids prepared for the realities of the 21st century is an important part of responsible parenting. Giving them a practical financial education before they move out on their own will continue to benefit them throughout their entire life. You would never give your child a car without drivers training; So before they leave home teach them about money with a practical financial education course.
Now, more than ever before, it is critical your children are on the path to financial security. There are courses that teach practical financial education that will give your child the money skills they need to succeed. Plus it can be a great way for you to pickup the money management skills that will help you feel financially secure so your life, and your child's life, is made financially easier.
Both Abbi Rouse & Vince Shorb are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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