Is this *really* that common? Oprah...

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Is this *really* that common? Oprah...
14
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 9:45am

I happened to catch the Oprah show with Dave Ramsey on it.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 5:48pm

Why on earth would a parent allow their children to have a credit card and not pay it?? If my child would want a c.c.---I would expect them to already have a job and pay for it!!

When I was in high school---I got a checking account. Why would a teen need a c.c. when you have a checking account? I don't think I got a c.c. until I needed to buy something for my apartment (Sears card). Then after I bought my house at 21 years old---I started using credit cards more----to buy appliances, etc.

My 11y--in 5th grade wants a cell phone!!! She said one of her friends at school got one for Christmas!! Why on earth does a 5th grader need a cell phone???
They don't drive. They don't go off to the mall by themselves. I would consider a cell phone at 16y and she is driving to work and would need one if the car broke down!!

Maybe I'm behind the times?????? I hope so!!!!!!

Holly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 6:24pm

I have no idea on the credit cards but I did take a child to an amusement park with my DD who had received a cell phone for her birthday. She had turned 7! Then she left it in the car, her mom kept calling, it turned into a bit of a fiasco.

Taleyna

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 8:27pm

I saw that show when it first aired....yesterday was a re-run. I couldn't bear to watch it again. The mother was so dumb...she giggled through the whole show, like it was a joke. And SHE was the one who had written in for help! Good kids or not, they don't do a single chore around their house (with pool), the daughter wrecked her first brand-new car, so naturally she got another one, and the parents pay the kids' credit card bills.

I don't have kids, but I can honestly say that I did NOT grow up in such a non-reality world. My guess is that these parents have decided it's a status symbol to give their kids anything and everything...but they aren't giving them things like a work ethic and money management skills (Dave Ramsey's words). Too bad.

I started babysitting when I was 12, and I saved up for things I really wanted. I got a part-time job as soon as I turned 15, and I got a savings and a checking account. My dad gave me an "emergency credit card" when I went to college, and then immediately took it away from me when I took it (and some of my friends) out to pizza. LOL!!!

So--is it really that common? I hope not!

(Side note: As for Oprah, she is the epitome of someone with a work ethic. She was an excellent student (president of her student council, in fact) who started working full time at the age of 16, put herself through college, and has worked every single day since then. Is she successful? Yes. Has she earned it? Absolutely. She came from a poor family, overcame years of abuse, and went on to become one of the most successful women in the world.)

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Fri, 01-06-2006 - 8:39pm

I'm 24, so I was a teenager not too long ago... No way did I have a credit card! I worked part time jobs throughout high school, paid for my own "fun". My parents did pay for the car (used, junker) and the gasoline sometimes, and the car insurance. But if I was going to McDonald's or the movies, it was all on me.

You know...... when I was in middle school I wanted a letter jacket so badly. I was in volleyball and everyone else was getting one. :) It even had your name on it!! My mother told me I had to pay for it myself!!! I was really upset!

I babysat a lot and saved up the $75 to pay for the coat.

All these years I have complained about how cruel I thought that was, that I had to buy my own coat. But you know what? I LOVE that coat! And I STILL HAVE IT - twelve years later! It is a little worse for the wear, but it means soooo much to me !!!!!!!

~Aravis~

 

Image hosting by TinyPic

Pages