Talking Points: Should parents be forced by law to give their children a set amount of pocket money each week?

I think they should be. Parents have a responsibility to provide certain necessities for their children, and money should be one of them. Kids might need money for food, public transport, or even just for emergencies.

It would also serve as an opportunity to teach them how to manage money at an early age.

Talking Points: Are degree programmes in subjects like AI better to study than traditional courses like history?

Glen Fung Kwun-kit, 15, Carmel Secondary School

No, it is not something the government should force Hong Kong parents to do.

I believe most children get sufficient food and other materials such as school supplies. Therefore, extra pocket money may not be necessary for some kids.

If the government were to put this rule in place, it could ruin relationships between children and their parents who may not have the means to provide a set amount of money for them each month.

I think so. Children need money to buy things like snacks, stationery, and books. Even if they don’t buy these things, they can save that money up for the future.

If children receive a set allowance, they can learn to use their money wisely, which is a useful skill to have when they are adults.

Talking Points: Should AI technology be used to assess student essays?

I don’t think so. It should be up to their parents, not the government. The relationship between parents and their children should not be turned into something like that between an employer and an employee.

Parents already have to worry about paying for their children’s education, clothes, food, and toiletries, not to mention the rent for their home. Putting such a law in place may only increase the parents’ burden.

I don’t think this would be a reasonable law. In our society, we do not only have rich and middle-class families, but also poor ones whose monthly income barely gets them by. It may be hard for some to pay for their family’s basic necessities, such as food, rent, school fees, and also give pocket money to their children every week.

Talking Points: What are you most worried about for the next school year?

I think parents shouldn’t be forced by law to give their children a set amount of pocket money each week, because parents will have different discipline methods, so it should be their decision whether or not they think their child deserves money or not.

No! Money is important, but I think it’s more important for children to have someone to care for them properly. Nowadays, parents are too busy trying to earn money to provide for their family, and enforcing this rule would make it even worse for them. I think children would much rather be able to spend time with their parents than receive money from them each week.

Talking Points: Should students be required to complete homework over the summer?

I don’t think so. Not every family is in the same situation, it will be difficult to set an amount that will suit every family. If this rule goes forward, poorer families might struggle to give their children the set about. I don’t believe children need much to survive, and some might just end up wasting the money. I I think most parents should be able to judge how much pocket money their child needs; so the government shouldn’t set this rule.

In my opinion parents should give their children a set amount of pocket money every week. I think doing so would teach children how to budget their money, and teach them the importance of saving, which is a useful and necessary skill.

In our next Talking Points, we’ll discuss:

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