How can I teach my very young children the values of Capitalism?

1. 61

   janddplus4posted 14 years ago

   How can I teach my very young children the values of Capitalism?
   
   My five year old's school sells concessions on Fridays. She doesn't always have money to buy candy with, because she forgets to take her money with her. At home she earns commissions for chores that she does above and beyond the regular chores she is assigned. I do not just give my children an allowance. That would be teaching them the wrong expectations in life. I want no welfare or sense entitlement in my home. But when she forgets her money, she asks her teacher or her friends to buy her some candy. Then she comes home and co

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2. 62

   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   Respectfully (honest), young children tend to forget things.  It is the role of the parent to make sure a child has what he needs each day in school.
   
   I don't think it's necessary to try to teach a five-year-old the values of Capitalism; because I think if you aim to raise a child with the right overall values and with a sense of being a capable individual, not expecting welfare and not having a sense of entitlement will come naturally with those values.
   
   What children do at five and what they will do at twenty-five are two different things.  It is natural that a five-year-old not want to do without candy.  When she asks someone to buy her some she isn't likely feeling entitled to it.  She's most likely just not happy she can't have candy like the other children.
   
   I'd say for now, be her "memory", and make sure she has her money in her bag or lunch box.   When she's old enough to really understand the meaning of words like "sense of entitlement" and "welfare" start talking to her about your views and the importance of building herself into being a capable person understands how education and work lead to being able to have the things we want.  Most importantly, be an example for her. 
   
   Trying to force a "grown-up" concept onto a young child who is not mature enough to digest it doesn't generally work very well.

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3. 69

   Mr. Happyposted 14 years ago

   I think creating a biased opinion for your kids regarding political views is not something to be striving for. Kids should be given the opportunity of education. At five years old politics are a bit too much in my opinion. Education is critical and by allowing a kid education he or she can have the ability to judge on their own at the right time whether they favor capitalism, socialism, anarchy or what not. Brainwashing from an early age is doing the kid a disfavor. This is also true about religion.

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4. 61

   theleftflankposted 14 years ago

   Ok, unless you're in the top 10 or 20%, you're probably wasting your time - I'm sorry to tell ya!

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