Do you know where your teenager’s money is tonight?
If recent studies are any indication, their money could be long gone — to lottery tickets, cards or dice games, even Internet gambling.
Kids have always leaned toward growing up too fast while having plenty of fun and freedom at the same time, and gambling — whether it’s small time or already a major problem — appears to be one more example of it.
According to a recent Associated Press article, some surveys revealed more than 30 percent of high school students gamble occasionally. Middle school students aren’t too far behind. Last year officials uncovered a sports-betting ring at an Illinois middle school. The surveys also suggested that youngsters who dabble in the pastime are more likely to indulge in other vices and even commit petty crimes.
Letting kids gamble a little bit now is like letting them smoke cigarettes a little bit now or letting a small child take sips from a can of beer.
It’s not that gambling is inherently evil or immoral — many responsible people enjoy an evening of gambling and a meal out as a form of entertainment, like going to see a movie or play. The problem is young people often aren’t taught responsible money management and age-appropriate behavior skills.
Money is seen as fleeting and solely for entertainment rather than as a means for providing for oneself and a future family. Why should it surprise anyone that experts are now discovering gambling addictions among some of our youth?
For parents, the money talk is about as taboo as the sex talk. Some parents dole out allowances and stop at that. Instead of overlooking "small-time gambling" we should be teaching children about finance and investing. Money management education should start in the home no matter how little or how much a family has. And it should extend to our country’s classrooms, as well. Every senior should graduate from our high schools knowing how to balance a checkbook, establish a monthly and yearly budget and set attainable financial goals.
Many parents already know they can’t afford to make assumptions about sex, drinking and drugs when it comes to their children’s safety and well-being. It’s time to add gambling to that list.
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