Why people are scared of finances

[tripods68]

The root problem lies in our educational system. I don't remember taking any courses in high school that deals in personal finances. It starts there, if not earlier to have future generational effect throughout the economy. We know kids can learn algebra and complex calculus, yet the majority of education system don't even teach personal finances as part of the curriculum. It's frankly sad. The irony of these whole economic mess were in were caused by "high debt". And so, when kids go straight to college their already in the "hole" from many enticing credit card companies that visits college campuses regularly on top of already skyrocketing college expenses. And we wonder why economy is in the tank.

[isthisused]

Originally Posted by bjl584

I think it's partly a failure of the learning structure of our education system. Personal finance simply isn't taught as part of the core class structure in our schools. Kids can graduate highschool with the knowledge of how to solve an advanced calculus problem, but they can't balance a checkbook.

Part of me wants to agree with you but the other part says the type of personal discipline that is needed isnt learned in school. I think it is learned from parents or in most cases NOT learned from parents. I read some where the #1 regret parents of adult children have is that they failed to teach their kids to handle $.

[Pitman]

I actually agree with tripods68, it wouldn't hurt having a few courses in HS dealing with personal finance. I never understood why I suffered through 45min of volleyball a day instead of learning something constructive for my future. One of the best courses to have in HS is sex education, I think the Public Ed should most definitely looking into having some sort personal finance course in HS, especially the way things are going in this current economy.