By Boris Dombrowski and Emma Neugebauer
Pocket money – from when, how often, how much? A difficult topic that not only concerns Berlin’s parents, but also scientists!
For example, the researchers at the renowned German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) in Berlin. In a recent study, they found that, unlike in the professional world, there is no gender gap when it comes to pocket money.
This means that boys and girls receive the same amount in this country. This is “good news”, DIW study director Katharina Wrohlich comments on the result. “At the same time, the finding is remarkable, because there is definitely a gender gap when it comes to other financial donations from parents to their children, such as gifts and inheritances,” says the researcher.
Stefan S. (43) and Nicola (41) with the twins Thilo and Oskar (both 8, second grade) from Moabit: “We have the rule that the two boys should remind us of pocket money every Sunday. So the two become independent. Then everyone gets one euro. In addition, the two can earn some extra money by helping out around the house. The two would like to have an ice cream in the afternoon. If there’s any pocket money left over, we’ll take it to the bank. We have set up a savings account for both of them at the savings bank.” Photo: Olaf Selchow
The same amount of pocket money for daughters and sons, but how much is recommended for which age? This was also scientifically processed – by the German Youth Institute (DJI). The range goes from 50 cents to 79 euros (see table).
“Pocket money is important for the development of children, so that they can make their first experiences with their own money and thus get a feeling for what you can buy and for what amount,” says DJI scientist Dr. Alexandra Langmeyer on BZ
“They also learn that you have to save for some things that you want,” she says and warns: “Once the pocket money has been used up, parents should under no circumstances finance it!” After all, the children should learn “that they also have to economize with their money”.
Up to 10 years: pay pocket money weekly
However, children of primary school age could rarely plan financially a whole month in advance. “That’s why it makes sense to pay out pocket money weekly until the age of about ten,” says Langmeyer.
Elisa M. (16), student from Prenzlauer Berg: “I have a twin sister and we always get the same amount of pocket money. At the moment that’s 50 euros a month. Of course, this is quickly spent, especially in summer. That’s why I always go babysitting on the weekends. If I get good grades on my report card, I get extra pocket money. My sister and I used to get two euros for every one, today we get five euros if we have 13 points or better. I want to go to Spain with friends this summer, I’m already saving for that.” Photo: Olaf Selchow
It is crucial that the pocket money “is not made dependent on the behavior of the child, but is paid regularly”, according to the scientist.
In plain language: No withdrawal of pocket money as punishment because, for example, the room is not tidy, because: “Children need reliability in order to be able to learn to plan financially,” says Langmeyer and emphasizes: “Basically, pocket money should be money at leisure be for children and are therefore only used for the personal wishes of the child and not for necessary purchases such as colored pencils for the lesson.
Kevin L. (17), student from Charlottenburg: “My parents give me pocket money once a month. 60 euros, so 15 euros per week. But because I want to go on vacation with my friends in the summer, I still give math tutoring to supplement my pocket money. My little siblings are now in elementary school. They get pocket money every week, always at the weekend. When it’s your birthday, my parents increase the amount by one euro. That’s how it used to be for me too. You actually never cut pocket money, even when I did something, instead I was given more and more household chores.” Photo: Olaf Selchow
The German Youth Institute (DJI) recommends this amount of pocket money
- Under 6 years: 0.50 – 1 euro/week
- 6 years: 1 – 1.50 euros/week
- 7 years: 1.50 – 2 euros/week
- 8 years: 2 – 2.50 euros/week
- 9 years: 2.50 – 3 euros/week
- 10 years: 16 – 18.50 euros/month
- 11 years: 18.50 – 21 euros/month
- 12 years: 21 – 23.50 euros/month
- 13 years: 23.50-26 euros/month
- 14 years: 26 -31 euros/month
- 15 years: 31 – 39 euros/month
- 16 years: 39 – 47 euros/month
- 17 years: 47 – 63 euros/month
- from 18 years: 63 – 79 euros/month
