Pocket Money: Earned or Given?
The Prompt
Imagine you get pocket money – hurray! But how do you get it? Do your parents just give it to you every week, like a special allowance? Or do you have to do chores, like tidying your room or washing the dishes, to earn it?
This piece of writing is all about exploring these two different ways parents give pocket money. We want you to discuss them, which means looking at both sides of the argument, like a balanced scale.
Your task is to write about:
- Pocket money that is given (an allowance): What are the good things about this? What might children learn about money when they just receive it? Does it teach them about managing what they have?
- Pocket money that is earned (for chores or good behaviour): What are the good things about this? What might children learn about working hard, responsibility, and saving when they have to earn their money?
Think about what each method teaches children about being responsible and understanding money. There's no right or wrong answer, we just want to hear your thoughts and ideas on both sides!
💡 Writing Tips
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- Start with a simple introduction: What is pocket money?
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- Think about 'Given' pocket money: Why do parents just give it? What does this teach about having money?
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- Think about 'Earned' pocket money: Why do parents make you work for it (chores)? What does this teach about working for things?
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- Use linking words like 'However' or 'On the other hand' when you switch ideas.
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- Finish by saying what you think, or if both ways have good points.
📝 Sample Answer
Pocket money is a small amount of money children get, usually every week. Some children get it just because their parents give it to them, like a gift. Other children have to do jobs around the house, like washing up or tidying their bedroom, to earn their pocket money.
When parents just give pocket money as an allowance, it can teach children how to save up for things they want. They learn to manage the money they have without having to do anything specific. It can feel like a grown-up thing to have your own money each week. However, some people might think it doesn't teach you about working hard for what you get.
On the other hand, if you have to earn your pocket money by doing chores, it teaches you that money doesn't just appear. You learn that if you want something, you often have to work for it. This can make you feel proud when you save up for a toy because you know you earned it. It also teaches you responsibility for helping around the house.
Both ways have good points. Getting an allowance can teach you about budgeting, while earning it teaches you about hard work and responsibility. I think both are important lessons for children to learn about money.
Did You Know?
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