America’s work-driven culture is no accident. From the beginning, the first colonists, learning from the Dutch, were evidently the earliest capitalists. As an outsider, I see the American psyche as …Read MoreAmerica’s work-driven culture is no accident. From the beginning, the first colonists, learning from the Dutch, were evidently the earliest capitalists. As an outsider, I see the American psyche as built on the pursuit of being the “BEST”. Yet ironically, many have mastered something else entirely: the art of living in debt! It’s unsettling that in the U.S., building credit often means going into debt. To me, that feels quietly insidious. While economics shapes nearly every part of American life, we receive little to no real education on how it works. Schools rarely offer the kind of financial literacy students actually need. At best, we’re taught basic money handling…dollars and cents, but that barely scratches the surface. What we need is a full curriculum that starts with the history of money: from bartering and tally systems, to the Protestant work ethic that helped define capitalism, and the ideas of thinkers like Adam Smith and Karl Marx. From there, students should explore American economists like Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell, and Richard D. Wolff, learning how economics applies to everyday life while considering different economic viewpoints This kind of education should begin early. In elementary school, children could learn how households and communities function, from villages to cities. In middle school, these lessons can tie into history and sociology. By high school, students should understand credit, debt, and how to distinguish between necessary purchases and luxury spending. Only then can we hope to raise a generation that doesn’t just work, but works wisely, with financial well-being in mind.Read Less
Yes, schools must teach students financial literacy from an early age. Financial literacy gives students the skills to manage their money, understand the value of budgeting, saving, and investing, and …Read MoreYes, schools must teach students financial literacy from an early age. Financial literacy gives students the skills to manage their money, understand the value of budgeting, saving, and investing, and avoid common financial pitfalls like debt. Starting this education early helps build a strong foundation for future financial decision-making and prepares students for real-world challenges. It can also contribute to reducing financial inequality and promoting long-term economic well-being.Read Less
America’s work-driven culture is no accident. From the beginning, the first colonists, learning from the Dutch, were evidently the earliest capitalists. As an outsider, I see the American psyche as …Read MoreAmerica’s work-driven culture is no accident. From the beginning, the first colonists, learning from the Dutch, were evidently the earliest capitalists. As an outsider, I see the American psyche as built on the pursuit of being the “BEST”. Yet ironically, many have mastered something else entirely: the art of living in debt!
It’s unsettling that in the U.S., building credit often means going into debt. To me, that feels quietly insidious. While economics shapes nearly every part of American life, we receive little to no real education on how it works. Schools rarely offer the kind of financial literacy students actually need. At best, we’re taught basic money handling…dollars and cents, but that barely scratches the surface.
What we need is a full curriculum that starts with the history of money: from bartering and tally systems, to the Protestant work ethic that helped define capitalism, and the ideas of thinkers like Adam Smith and Karl Marx. From there, students should explore American economists like Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell, and Richard D. Wolff, learning how economics applies to everyday life while considering different economic viewpoints
This kind of education should begin early. In elementary school, children could learn how households and communities function, from villages to cities. In middle school, these lessons can tie into history and sociology. By high school, students should understand credit, debt, and how to distinguish between necessary purchases and luxury spending. Only then can we hope to raise a generation that doesn’t just work, but works wisely, with financial well-being in mind. Read Less
Yes, schools must teach students financial literacy from an early age. Financial literacy gives students the skills to manage their money, understand the value of budgeting, saving, and investing, and …Read MoreYes, schools must teach students financial literacy from an early age. Financial literacy gives students the skills to manage their money, understand the value of budgeting, saving, and investing, and avoid common financial pitfalls like debt. Starting this education early helps build a strong foundation for future financial decision-making and prepares students for real-world challenges. It can also contribute to reducing financial inequality and promoting long-term economic well-being. Read Less