Fourteen Year Old Girls with Debit Cards

Going to the mall can be terrifying. Finding a parking space within three months of Christmas is about as easy as telling a five year old that they cannot have the stuffed pig toy that they want. You run the risk of running into old classmates and holding awkward conversations about what you have been doing since high school. You are constantly bombarded with sales fliers and/or waiting in line. Going to the mall is pretty scary. But I have noticed a new, and even more frightening, phenomena: 14 year old girls with debit cards.

Why?

The idea of giving a pubescent girl a card with which she can drain a bank account... wow.

When I was fourteen I had an allowance that I used to buy music, clothes, books, movies, and anything else that came to mind. The beauty of an allowance was that it was far from bottomless. I had a certain amount of cash and when it was gone, it was gone.

I worked at a young women's clothing store last Christmas. I got to work at the checkout counter and had the (pleasure?) of ringing up young teen girls' mini skirts, bras, high heels, etc. It's great for business- giving young girls debit cards. However, to me, it's terrifying. I don't want to see a fourteen year old girl spend Daddy or Mommy's money on five pairs of shoes. No knowledge of prices. No understanding of how to handle money.

When I was fourteen I had a few crushes, a huge desire to learn to drive a car, a small allowance, and a lot of fun.

Also, I have seen the clothes that many of these girls get with their debit cards. Perhaps they will learn how to handle money once they start earning it off of street corners...


Ok. I'm done bitching about that now. I'm going to have more mashed potatoes. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.