Learning Lessons on Finance in High School, not “The Hard Way”
Educate Our Youth About Financial Obligations
Perhaps the best way to combat the increase in bankruptcy and financial problems is to educate the soon to be adults about how to be fiscally responsible before they find themselves in need of some form of debt relief. A few of the pro-active states are requiring high school students to take a personal finance course to graduate. It seems that the course is seen as fundamental in preparing students for their future by teaching them to plan and implement sound responsible financial goals. The objectives for these classes is to educate students in a variety of subjects dealing with finance including how to protect themselves as consumers, and how to be conscientious about their money and borrowing money.
By placing a larger emphasis on personal finance education in secondary school or in some states, requiring these classes for graduation, schools are trying to prepare high-school students for “the real world.” These high school students will soon realize that, in the aforementioned real world, the economy is threatening, times are tough, and many Americans are worrying about their financial situations.
Teaching students about managing their money could prevent financial mistakes in the future. Some students will learn some important economic lessons at home, but others need to learn about the importance of savings and the consequences of borrowing money. Being knowledgeable about money matters may be the start of smart money management trends in the next 8-10 years. Teachers want students to think about their long-term finances. Instead of investment strategies and financial tactics, students learn how to handle money: where to put their paychecks, what accounts they should be managing, and how to divide earnings all of which will create strong fiscally responsible additions to the current economy.
Even
the high schools in the states that are not requiring a personal finance
course are strongly suggesting that their students still enroll in these courses. Teaching students about the value of money will
hopefully make for more productive and financially-aware citizens in
the future, hence a better economy for America. With a better economy and financially aware citizens, a decline in debt relief assistance is inevitable.
