It is true that the children of nearly a decade ago were given allowances for household chores. Educators believed that giving children spending money helped them become money smart, especially when a parent was involved in helping the children make a decision on whether to spend or save.
Money Allowances to Children Help Build Up Child Character, Declares N.Y. School Principal
Teaches Thrift, Wisdom and Responsibility and Fits Little One to Bear Social Burdens That Come Later
Mr. Patri Thinks Girls Should Be Allowed More Than Boys
By Ruth Snyder.
Should a child be given an allowance?
How much should he be allowed?
When should the allowance begin?
Of what value is an allowance to a child?
Angelo Patri, Principal of Public School No. 45 in the Bronx, and one of the most efficient and sympathetic interpreters of child character in the whole country, sat back in the swivel chair, which occupies a lonesome but important part in his big study and office room in the school house, and thought over his subject.
“Yes, I think every child should have an allowance,” he declared. The softly flowing voice rolls over teeth very slightly parted.
“An allowance teaches a child how to spend and how to save. But the real reason for an allowance is its character building power. It teaches a child to be generous; to be thoughtful; to keep his or her self respect; to find a place in the community.
“It is surprising how much confidence a child will acquire, how proud he will be, if he is allowed to save money. He will figure out for himself how he can save a penny here and a penny there, to add to his savings. And if he starts to save very early, he will have a snug little bank account by the time he is fifteen years old. But it is up to his parents to teach him how to save. He must not be allowed to grow selfish and egotistical in his savings. The time may come when the money a child has saved may be extended toward the use of the family. He must not be allowed to grow so selfish in his savings that in the event of such circumstances he will refuse to part with the money.”
“When should this allowance begin?” was asked.
“Just as soon as he is old enough to ask for things — and that is very young.” This answer came very decidedly from the firm lips of Angelo Patni. Very seldom do these lips curve into a smile.
“He should be given an allowance when he begins to need money for simple everyday needs. Sometimes this allowance can start when he is four years old. And from the time he first starts to save he should be taught to keep an account book of his spendings and savings. If he spends 2 cents for a stamp, he should have a small blank book and jot down ‘2 cents for a stamp.’ Then at the end of the week he should figure out how much he has spent and how much he has saved. The child’s parents should guide him in the keeping of this book — show him where he may save and where he might have spent a little more judiciously.”
“Should a girl receive the same allowance as a boy?” was the next question asked.
“I should say a girl might have a little more than the boy,” was the answer. “Because a girl’s responsibilities are greater. A girl has to pay a little more for her things than does the boy. The demand on her pocketbook are greater. Then, too, the girl has to be trained for more responsibilities in the future. It is the wife and mother who has to figure on making money ends meet — to put aside for a ‘rainy day.’”
“A child that is not given an allowance loses a vast amount of self respect,” Mr. Patri declared, his keen, analytical eyes warming with his words. “A boy needs pocket money so that he may not lose caste with the other boys — that he may join with the other boys in buying candy and sweets. If he doesn’t get his money for an allowance he will either earn this money — if he is inclined that way — or he will steal it if the opportunity offers itself. Take the case of a boy I know. Recently his mother came to me with the story of how he had stolen $20. When I asked the boy what he had done with money, he answered: ‘Oh, just treated the boys.’
“It is good to give a child as much liberty as he can morally stand. If he is given this liberty when he is young he will figure out for himself the things he should do and the things he should not do. He will learn his limitations and learn how to extend them. Then when he is older he will begin to restrict his own liberty, will put inhibitions on himself which he has found by experience to be helpful.”
“Just how much should this allowance be?” was asked.
“That is a question which cannot be answered for any group. Sometimes a child of eleven can handle a larger allowance than a child of fifteen. A girl of fifteen is ‘older’ than a boy of fifteen, and consequently is apt to spend either more wisely — or more foolishly — all depending on the girl.
“If a boy comes to his father for some extra money over and above his allowance,” Mr. Patri said, “his father should tell him if he earns the money he may spend it in whatever way he wishes. Suppose he wants a new fishing rod. He will set out to earn the bright and shining new rod. Then, when he has finally earned the necessary money, he will begin to figure out the value of the new rod — and nine cases out of ten he will finally lay the earned money aside — and fix up the old rod.
“So, therefore, I say an allowance is the greatest character building power one can possibly give to a child.” Mr. Patri concluded: “One cannot learn to be generous when one has nothing to give. One cannot learn the money value of things if one has never bought them and made mistakes and gained wisdom thereby. One cannot learn to take his share of the social burden if one cannot pay his way.”
Source: The Evening World (New York City, NY newspaper). December 15, 1922.
