Sir, – While I agree that an initiation into provident attitudes to money is part of a child’s education, I disagree with one piece of advice in “How to teach kids about money: Put them on the payroll, €2 shopping trips and other tips” (Weekend, July 25th).
The admonition to “Put them on the payroll” diminishes a child’s experience and absorption of the concept of pure altruism, a more vital quality, which needs to be nourished early. Financial wisdom can be encouraged in many ways, as the remainder of the article rightly suggests – and it can be taught.
To reduce the benefits of working together, of “mucking in”, to a cash payment might increase their power as consumers. The absence of this tangible reward might involve managing some character-building protests – but the lessons internalised are for life. – Yours, etc,
MONICA NOLAN,
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Knocklyon,
Dublin 16.