Editorials and Personal Columns

Questions:

What are three editorial ideas for the Dispatch?
-Are web filters at schools too restrictive?
-Does class size matter?
-Should students be able to grade teachers?


Talk about a columnist who you read on a regular basis.
I read posts daily from these two people who share an account on Instagram. I'd consider them columnists. They share a similar political view as me, so I like reading what they put out. They post about current events often and I like to read about their views on those events because they're similar to mine.

Allowances

   In most American homes, children receive an allowance. These allowances can range from kids getting $1 per week, to maybe $20. Usually, the money kids receive depends on their age and qualifications. I believe that children should receive a base amount of money each week, such as $3-5, and once they do chores and behave well, that total will rise. 

   In my home, my brother and I don't receive any type of allowance unless we do chores and work for our money. I like the idea of this system because it teaches kids the importance of money and hard work. But weekly pay for children also must depend on the financial status of the family. 

   I used to receive a given amount of money per week, but when I moved to Texas and I didn't live with my dad anymore, that routine stopped. I learned the importance of hard work and what a dollar is worth when I had to chores and work to earn money. I strongly believe that children across the country should learn this too.

   I also believe that allowance shouldn't be given to children who don't understand the concept of money and what it's worth. For some, they may be 8 years old until they understand this. For others, maybe it's younger. You must take this into consideration when deciding whether it's time for your children to receive weekly allowances.

   Allowances are important in a child's developmental stage because it teaches them financial skills at an early age. When children grow up without any experience with money or have no financial skills, there can be major setbacks in everyday life for them.

   But at the same time, these skills will not be learned unless allowances are earned at the right proportion. If you give a child a generous allowance each week, and they don't do much work around the house, they have the idea that money will just be given to them and they'll never have to work for it, and they won't learn how to properly manage their money because there's too much for them to handle at a young age.

   On the other hand, if a child has to work harder than they should to earn a small weekly allowance, they won't have the experience of saving up money and putting it away for later. They won't learn to organize their money in an effective way because they only have so little even though they've done work to deserve money.

   There are many ways for parents to incorporate allowances into their children's routine and life, and there is no right or wrong way as long as you follow some simple guidelines. It all depends on your children's personality and level of responsibility. 

   So however and whenever your family decides to start using allowances, here are some final tips. If you have multiple children, make sure the way you give money to them is fair. Children should work for some portion of their allowance. And finally, make sure your system works for your family's financial status, and stick with it. 

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