Money = Good Grades? Options

[JlIaTMK]

Hm, so about a week ago in my second hour class, there was this boy talking about how he receives money for getting all B's in school. He also mentioned that he gets 10 dollars for each b he received and that if he received an a, he would get 20 dollars for that one grade.
Now, seriously, parents have to bribe their kids nowadays to get them to get b's and a's in school?
How piteous is this?

Please share your opinions.

[sadolakced acid]

i wish my parents did that.

140 bucks 4 times a year...

mmm... all the CDs i could get...

well; i think it's perfectly fine.

[*mona lisa*]

I think it's stupid. Of course, I'd love to get money for all the good grades I've gotten. If I did, I'd be a millionaire right now. I'm just exaggerating. My parents have taught that I'd have to earn my grades fair and square and not get anything in return because I'd have to be doing that all my life. I can't be expecting things in return all the time. It effects you when you're older too. You start to expect things everytime to do something well but you won't always get a reward. Bribing them may get some students to try harder, but not all. I have observed that most the students I've met and receive money for their good grades are the students that don't do too well in school. Of course, I'd love it if it happened to me.

[DisneyPrincessKa...]

My parents stopped getting me stuff for grades when i was in 3rd grade

What we used to do was if my sister and I maintained good enough grades all year we could have ONE thing, it could be anything (within reason of course), but just one thing.

A lot of my friend's get paid for their grades. It is somewhat like bribery. However I feel a little jipped that I don't recieve anything for my hard work. If you asked my parents I have the "satisfaction of learning" or "an excellent education."

I think that if you're really struggling it could be motivation, or if you make really good grades it would be a reward. I personally think kids should get something for making good grades.

[JlIaTMK]

Eh, I don't know.

I mean, it may help them to be commited to good grades.
But all it really does is give them a psychological adaption to receive money for those grades.

What would happen if, say, the parents decided to decrease the amount of money they give to the kid, or just rid of it altogether?

[Eryi]

My mother does the same, but fewer amounts of money. I think it's good that the parents would set goals for their children. If you get an A, you get money. That encourages me to do me best. I know I'm greedy/spoiled.

[JlIaTMK]

Eh, the thing is that it doesn't really teach you anything in life.

It even teaches you dependency on your parents money for school, which shouldn't be a task at all but a motivation to reach a certain goal in life.

[ghetosmurph]

However I feel a little jipped that I don't recieve anything for my hard work.  If you asked my parents I have the "satisfaction of learning" or "an excellent education."

Yep exactly, I want free money too!!!

[heyyfrankie]

not only is is stupid but also very sad. kids can't do it on their own so their parents have to PAY them to do good. my parents won't even think about giving me some money for making good grades because making good grades is something that you are SUPPOSED to do while in school.

[Spirited Away]

My parents never had that kind of money to spare. I learned that getting good grades is a reward in itself. Since college though, I've been needing more inspiration, something more tangible than the intrinsic rewards I gave myself.

Anyway, no it's not right that parents have to give their kids money to get good grades. It's actually pretty pathetic. It will teach the child several things and none of which I can say is a positive lesson.

Now, if the child does good on his/her own and parents feel like he/she deserve a small reward every now and then, I don't see a problem. I starved for praise when I was young and I know what regular pats-on-the-back and "way-to-go's" could do for a kid. But bribing them with money...??? LOL.

[demolished]

I dont think parent should give out money to their kids like that. If they do, they should give at least 20$ if a child reach his/her 30th A's. At least its better than nothing. Its for their own good because it helps make yourself a better person (such as not being greedy, be generous is a great thing)

Its up to kids whether they want to have a bright future or not. There is always a solution to a problems rather than money. money are to make living and support for the family, not just one person itself.

If anyone disagree w/ me. What's your purpose for attending school or whatever. i think i'm prepare to counter !

[sadolakced acid]

Eh, the thing is that it doesn't really teach you anything in life.

It even teaches you dependency on your parents money for school, which shouldn't be a task at all but a motivation to reach a certain goal in life.

well, no... it teaches you that if you do a good job, you get money. like in a job.

[fameONE]

If the parents have moeny to spare then by all means they should do it. I believe that its a wonderful motivator to succeed in life. If you're promised a handsome bit of cash every six weeks just for good grades, then why would you intentionally become complacent and not take advantage of the opportunity?

I've been working since I was 15 years old. Actually, I've been working more than most kids at that age should while going to school and being involved in countless clubs and orgnizations. My parents never rewarded me for good grades. At times they could have, but, for the most part, they didn't. My monetary motivation was getting into a good school, qualifying for scholarships that had nothing to do with my race, doing well in college and graduating to lead a successful life.

My parents are forcing me to 'go on a leave of absence' from my job so I can focus on school during the first semester. With this, anything that can't be taken care of on campus through my general tuition, they will pay. No, I didn't get 200 dollars for straight As. But thats ok, my parents are going to have my back for a few semester so I don't epitomize the "broke college student."

[*mipadi*]

If the parents have moeny to spare then by all means they should do it.  I believe that its a wonderful motivator to succeed in life. If you're promised a handsome bit of cash every six weeks just for good grades, then why would you intentionally become complacent and not take advantage of the opportunity?

The problem with that, is that it reinforces the attitude that a person should only do something good because they will get a reward for doing so (especially a monetary reward). It weakens the idea that sometimes you should just do something good because it's the right thing to do, even though you might not get rewarded. It makes people selfish, rather than selfless.

[*basick*]

The problem with that, is that it reinforces the attitude that a person should only do something good because they will get a reward for doing so (especially a monetary reward). It weakens the idea that sometimes you should just do something good because it's the right thing to do, even though you might not get rewarded. It makes people selfish, rather than selfless.

What grades you get don't determine what kind of person you are. It's the same thing with work, people work for money. I don't get paid for good grades, but if the parents have enough money to spare than I don't see why it is a bad idea.

It's comparable to hiring a tutor. You spend money to help your child get better grades.

[*mipadi*]

What grades you get don't determine what kind of person you are. It's the same thing with work, people work for money.

I don't see the connection. First of all, I never said that grades determined what kind of person a particular individual is; I never even alluded to that. I said that a person should want to work for something out for reasons other than compensation. A person doesn't have to get straight A's, because it's how hard he tries that counts; but a person should want to try hard because he should do his best, not because he knows he will be compensated for getting good grades. Often times in life, the most worthwhile things are not rewarded, but they should still be done.

As for work, people work because yes, to survive, they need compensation. However, that's not to say that one should work only for money, or seek to a career simply to make the most amount of money possible.

[*basick*]

I don't see the connection. First of all, I never said that grades determined what kind of person a particular individual is; I never even alluded to that. I said that a person should want to work for something out for reasons other than compensation. A person doesn't have to get straight A's, because it's how hard he tries that counts; but a person should want to try hard because he should do his best, not because he knows he will be compensated for getting good grades. Often times in life, the most worthwhile things are not rewarded, but they should still be done.

As for work, people work because yes, to survive, they need compensation. However, that's not to say that one should work only for money, or seek to a career simply to make the most amount of money possible.

Once again, isn't it similar to hiring a tutor? Both giving kids money for good grades and hiring a tutor costs money and help the kid achieve optimal results. Of course giving your child money gives him/her an unfair advantige over other students that come from poorer families, but new books, a tutor, or summer school all give the student an advantige.

[sadolakced acid]

welcome to real life. if you do a better job in real life, you get more money.

[fameONE]

welcome to real life.  if you do a better job in real life, you get more money.

Amen.

The problem with that, is that it reinforces the attitude that a person should only do something good because they will get a reward for doing so (especially a monetary reward). It weakens the idea that sometimes you should just do something good because it's the right thing to do, even though you might not get rewarded. It makes people selfish, rather than selfless.

There is a consequence/outcome for everything you do in life. Whether it is the personal satisfaction of a hard days' work or a couple extra ends in your pocket. Its a reward.

Conversely, fail your classes, slack off in school and work at your local fast food joint. What is the outcome? Minimum wage and no future. You can still be a nice person, but you'll be a loser.

Money is a necessary evil. So necessary, that its... GO[o]D.

[jnukes]

I think it's good that the parents would set goals for their children. If you get an A, you get money.

that's a good way to put it ..


///////

however, my parents said like a few other cB'ers said -- you shouldn't expect to earn stuff for tha things you do all your life ..

[*mipadi*]

welcome to real life.  if you do a better job in real life, you get more money.

Is that true in all cases?

[inthemudhole]

I don't think it's the best way to go.
Sure, it may be a sense of motivation, but what is on their mind the whole time? -- "Money, money money. I must get good grades so I can get fifty dollars at the end of the marking period."
Sure, if they make the grades and get the money, they must have learned something, but I don't believe it is the best way to go, really.
I think you should make as good of grades as you possibly can, because that itself is quite the reward. You're gaining knowledge for your future, which will eventually pay off.... literally.

[sadolakced acid]

Is that true in all cases?

well, it's true if you get a job.

[iheartsimba]

Well..if that's what you have to do to motivate your kids..why not, i guess? My parents gave me $5 for every A I got, for the 1st nine weeks of 6th grade. Hah, I got all A's. Then they realized it was to much money. So it sort of stopped. But I get good grades anyway, so it doesn't matter. But I think it's a good idea..however I think it would be better...if it wasn't so exact. And you just give them a random amount depending on how hard they were trying ect. Idk.

[Spirited Away]

If the parents have moeny to spare then by all means they should do it.  I believe that its a wonderful motivator to succeed in life. If you're promised a handsome bit of cash every six weeks just for good grades, then why would you intentionally become complacent and not take advantage of the opportunity?

I'm sure some, if not most of you, have heard of such a thing as intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Money is an extrinsic reward.

While it's true that most of us are focused on the extrinsic rewards of life as it appeases our physical needs, it is actually the intrinsic rewards that gives us peace of mind and the "warm-fuzzies" that help us retain our sanity in a world of insanity. The Job Market and our work place is, or can be, such a world.

What one is taught by receiving money for every good grade is that one can expect some kind of return for a job well done. Is that true for everything in life? Hell no. In fact, sometimes the good that you do may cause bad things to happen. Then what? Where's your reward?

What happens if parents can no longer afford to give the money a child has been habittually receiving for getting good grades? Some children may be indifferent, others disappointed, but there will be a number who will react quite strongly, perhaps to a point of boycotting good grades until the reward is met.

When someone is conditioned to expect a reward for everything he/she does a good job on, he/she is bound to have a big let down, if not several, in life.

And believe it or not, it's been proven that extrinsic rewards will make light of and distract you from intrinsic rewards. When this happens, what is there to drive your motivation? Imagine that your only motivation to live is for money....

I am speaking of rather extreme cases, but that is what happens when kids are brought up to love extrinsic rewards.

[fameONE]

I'm sure some, if not most of you, have heard of such a thing as intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Money is an extrinsic reward.

While it's true that most of us are focused on the extrinsic rewards of life as it appeases our physical needs, it is actually the intrinsic rewards that gives us  peace of mind and the "warm-fuzzies" that help us retain our sanity in a world of insanity. The Job Market and our work place is, or can be, such a world.

What one is taught by receiving money for every good grade is that one can expect some kind of return for a job well done. Is that true for everything in life? Hell no. In fact, sometimes the good that you do may cause bad things to happen. Then what? Where's your reward?

What happens if parents can no longer afford to give the money a child has been habittually receiving for getting good grades? Some children may be indifferent, others disappointed, but there will be a number who will react quite strongly, perhaps to a point of boycotting good grades until the reward is met.

When someone is conditioned to expect a reward for everything he/she does a good job on, he/she is bound to have a big let down, if not several, in life.

And believe it or not, it's been proven that extrinsic rewards will make light, distract you, from intrinsic rewards. When this happens, what is there to drive your motivation? Imagine that your only motivation to live is for money....

I am speaking of rather extreme cases, but that is what happens when kids are brought up to love extrinsic rewards.

Bravo on the response

Thats when parents have to further analyze the situation. Of course parents should reinforce good behavior and a job well done with some sort of 'reward,' whether it be cash or a simple, "I'm proud of you," or else a job well done will go unrecognized (as it does many times in life).

A parent's perspective from the shortterm standpoint (so my mother tells me) is that a child gets so caught up in doing a good job and expecting a reward that when the reward is taken away and the good job continues, then they'll have acquired the necessary work ethic to make it in life.

Conversely, it could blow up in parents faces (as you mentioned earlier), with children being so ungrateful to expect a reward for doing a good job. Mipadi seemed to be implying that a good job doesn't warrant a financial reward in the real world. Financially, it may not.

It also all depends on the child and how they'll deal with such a thing. Some children may miss the point entirely and just do work because they expect something. Others will understand the importance of working hard and doing a good job and maybe, just maybe, they'll have an acquired work ethic.

[*chaneun*]

Eh, not really. I never get paid or get any gift for getting straight A's for a year, or even through a grade level (elementary school, middle school, and highschool)

[fameONE]

Eh, not really.  I never get paid or get any gift for getting straight A's for a year, or even through a grade level (elementary school, middle school, and highschool)

Do you feel any sense of satisfaction for doing so well academically?

[*mipadi*]

well, it's true if you get a job.

So you're saying that everyone who does their job well gets paid very well, and everyone who does their job poorly gets paid poorly?

I don't really think that's always the case at all.

[Spirited Away]

Bravo on the response

Thats when parents have to further analyze the situation. Of course parents should reinforce good behavior and a job well done with some sort of 'reward,' whether it be cash or a simple, "I'm proud of you," or else a job well done will go unrecognized (as it does many times in life).

A parent's perspective from the shortterm standpoint (so my mother tells me) is that a child gets so caught up in doing a good job and expecting a reward that when the reward is taken away and the good job continues, then they'll have acquired the necessary work ethic to make it in life.

Conversely, it could blow up in parents faces (as you mentioned earlier), with children being so ungrateful to expect a reward for doing a good job. Mipadi seemed to be implying that a good job doesn't warrant a financial reward in the real world. Financially, it may not.

It also all depends on the child and how they'll deal with such a thing. Some children may miss the point entirely and just do work because they expect something. Others will understand the importance of working hard and doing a good job and maybe, just maybe, they'll have an acquired work ethic.

First, thank you. You humble me since I think you're a great debator yourself.
Yes, I've taken into account that different children will react in different ways. I've also talk to my mother about this problem of rewarding children many times because she believes, to my persistent denial, that she may not live to teach me such things later. She says what works best with raising me may not work with raising my own children, a tactic I considered using on my future children since coming of age.

The sad thing that we all have to realize is that not all parents are as attentive to their children, and so the case may be that they will not know what 'works' and what doesn't. These said parents will feed their kids all the money they can and when they can't, society (that's the rest of us) have to put up with the consequences. Such consequences may be trivial or they may be extreme.

So, I still believe that the best way to go about this is mixing up instrinsic and extrinsic rewards but put more weight into the intrinsic ones. If the child responds negatively, highly unlikely, then we may do a switcheroo and see how that works. However, to rid the child's education of the higher rewards in life altogether is to condition him/her to a life of base physical, tangible needs. No better than an animal. A walking, talking animal.

Again, pretty extreme, but there are pretty extreme people in our society.

[sadolakced acid]

So you're saying that everyone who does their job well gets paid very well, and everyone who does their job poorly gets paid poorly?

I don't really think that's always the case at all.

well, it is a bit of a generalization...

anyways; fae just dominated this debate. there's not much else to say, except...

if the chidren randomly got rewards for getting good grades. i think that would work somewhat...

[*mipadi*]

well, it is a bit of a generalization... 

anyways;  fae just dominated this debate.  there's not much else to say, except...

if the chidren randomly got rewards for getting good grades. i think that would work somewhat...

Pyschological principle of learning: a person (or animal) learns fastest when given a constant reward, but the learning goes away almost as soon as the reward is removed; a person (or animal) takes longer to learn a behavior when the reward is random, but the imprinting lasts longer.

[fameONE]

First, thank you. You humble me since I think you're a great debator yourself.
Yes, I've taken into account that different children will react in different ways. I've also talk to my mother about this problem of rewarding children many times because she believes, to my persistent denial, that she may not live to teach me such things later. She says what works best with raising me may not work with raising my own children, a tactic I considered using on my future children since coming of age.

The sad thing that we all have to realize is that not all parents are as attentive to their children, and so the case may be that they will not know what 'works' and what doesn't. These said parents will feed their kids all the money they can and when they can't, society (that's the rest of us) have to put up with the consequences. Such consequences may be trivial or they may be extreme.

So, I still believe that the best way to go about this is mixing up instrinsic and extrinsic rewards but put more weight into the intrinsic ones. If the child responds negatively, highly unlikely, then we may do a switcheroo and see how that works. However, to rid the child's education of the higher rewards in life altogether is to condition him/her to a life of base physical, tangible needs. No better than an animal. A walking, talking animal.

Again, pretty extreme, but there are pretty extreme people in our society.

I like you.

anyways; fae just dominated this debate.

Indeed she did (props to you too, I enjoy debates involving you).

Pyschological principle of learning: a person (or animal) learns fastest when given a constant reward, but the learning goes away almost as soon as the reward is removed; a person (or animal) takes longer to learn a behavior when the reward is random, but the imprinting lasts longer.

Whats a scientific principle if its only partly true?

[*mipadi*]

Whats a scientific principle if its only partly true?

Who said it was only partly true?

[fameONE]

Who said it was only partly true?

The principle states that once the reward is taken away, the learning stops.

How true is that? Its partly true because such a broadly vauge theory is not applicable for every situation. So you're telling me that if I don't get rewarded, I won't learn? That sounds like garbage to me.

[*mipadi*]

The principle states that once the reward is taken away, the learning stops.

How true is that? Its partly true because such a broadly vauge theory is not applicable for every situation. So you're telling me that if I don't get rewarded, I won't learn? That sounds like garbage to me.

I think you misunderstand learn in this case. I mean learn as in a behavior, not learn as in to get good grades.

A general psychological principle is that a human (or animal) learns a behavior fastest when the reward is constant, but best when the reward is random.

Apply this to rewarding a child for good grades. If you reward a child every time, he will quickly learn that if he gets an A, he will get a reward, and thus try to get A's; but when you stop giving him a reward, he will quickly stop getting A's. Conversely, if you reward a child randomly for getting A's, he will take longer to realize that getting A's is rewarded; however, if you were to stop giving a reward, it would take longer for the child to stop trying to get A's.

Personally, I feel as though a child should be encouraged from a young age to be intrinsically motivated to succeed.

[sadolakced acid]

ehh.. it's like gambleing...

(this was a real experiment)
take two mice, and give them each a button.

one mouse when it pushes the button food always comes
the other mouse when it pushes the button sometimes a random amount of food will come.

let them have thier button food supplies for a week.
then disable the buttons.

after the first push with no food, the first mouse stops pushing the button.

the other mouse never stops pushing the button, even when food never comes.

[fameONE]

I think you misunderstand learn in this case. I mean learn as in a behavior, not learn as in to get good grades.

A general psychological principle is that a human (or animal) learns a behavior fastest when the reward is constant, but best when the reward is random.

Apply this to rewarding a child for good grades. If you reward a child every time, he will quickly learn that if he gets an A, he will get a reward, and thus try to get A's; but when you stop giving him a reward, he will quickly stop getting A's. Conversely, if you reward a child randomly for getting A's, he will take longer to realize that getting A's is rewarded; however, if you were to stop giving a reward, it would take longer for the child to stop trying to get A's.

Personally, I feel as though a child should be encouraged from a young age to be intrinsically motivated to succeed.

Just as Justin stated; its a gamble.

The outcome isn't the same everytime so you cannot claim that the principle holds true or is 100% accurately.

When my reward was taken away from getting As, the As didn't stop. Thats my point and thats why the theory is partly true.

[*mipadi*]

I suppose it doesn't work in all cases, but it's not as though I devised that principle. It's a pretty standard principle of classical conditioning.

[fameONE]

I suppose it doesn't work in all cases, but it's not as though I devised that principle. It's a pretty standard principle of classical conditioning.

Through personal experience, what has worked for you?

[*mipadi*]

In terms of getting good grades? I was always motivated to do it on my own. My parents are both teachers, and they encouraged me when I was little to do the best I could do, so I always did, even now.

[gOODpIRATE]

i think that it's perfectly fine. if that's what it takes for people to get good grades, so be it.

[waitwaitwait]

You're only saying it's stupid because you don't get it.
JEALOUS LOL

[Spirited Away]

You're only saying it's stupid because you don't get it.
JEALOUS LOL

what? you keed right?

[miss barnes]

i think its a good thing. if getting money motivates kids to do well in school then by all means..parents should give them money (if they have to spare)

my parents did that sometime but, it wasnt an everytime thing. i ask them can i get whatever amount of money for an A or B and they either agreed or disagreed

[technicolour]

Heh. My friends parents bribed her saying if she gets all A's they bought her a laptop. she did. and now she's rubbing it in my face about how i don't get $$ or anything for my grades [which are great ]. It's quite annoying for us.

But when they get out in the real world and they have to fend for themselves, who's going to bribe them to do whatever?

It's bribery, and i think that is the stupidiest thing ever. Right next to black mail and tons of other things.

[nerdxcore]

i used to be paid for my grades. except it was 5 dollars for an A and 2.50 for a B, nothing for C's. that was in 7th grade only though. after reading some of these responses, i would agree that it's not something you would want to teach your kids. because as soon as they are done with school... they won't have any motivation to do anything.

[sadolakced acid]

Heh. My friends parents bribed her saying if she gets all A's they bought her a laptop. she did. and now she's rubbing it in my face about how i don't get $$ or anything for my grades [which are great  ]. It's quite annoying for us.

But when they get out in the real world and they have to fend for themselves, who's going to bribe them to do whatever?

It's bribery, and i think that is the stupidiest thing ever. Right next to black mail and tons of other things.

you say bribery and blackmail like they're bad things...

[technicolour]

you say bribery and blackmail like they're bad things...

That's cause they are.

If your kid has to be BRIBED to get good grades then why the hell are they even going to school? She, my friend, claims that she has ADD or ADHD or whichever one it is and that's why her parents are bribing her. It's still a load of shit covered with whip cream. Why can't kids ever just do things by themselves and then see how it turns out?

Oh and it's still pretty bad when you have to get bribed when you're in all regulars. she doesn't take anything even remotely harder than the regular teaching program. I am taking pap and then AP classes.

[ladystarr]

I was never given money for my good grades like for every quarter, but I knew my parents were always proud of me 'cuz once I got older they paid for my car & help me pay for college.

I never felt pressure from my parents it was UP to me to take AP/honors classes. I DID it all on my own... I graduated with an honors diploma and a 4.0. I pushed myself in school for my OWN satisfaction. Even if my parents gave me money it wouldn't matter cuz' I still would've been MOTIVATED on my own to succeed.

I don't think giving money to your kids is a bad idea, it seems wrong 'cuz every grade has a price and it MAY seem like a wrong motivation, BUT if a kid is working his butt off to get money (maybe for something he/she might want ex: psp, cds, games, etc...) Then it IS a GOOD MOTIVATOR. How else can a kid get money besides weekly allowance? Some kids don't even get an allowance. By working their asses off to study and get good grades they ARE LEARNING + gaining some cash for something they really want.

If I was a parent I would definitely REWARD my kids. Whether it be taking them out to ice cream or given them money to SAVE UP for a psp or something. I don't understand this argument about giving money as a BAD MOTIVATON method. Its B.S. 'cuz if a kid is really DETERMINED he/she will work hard to get a reward. Isn't that what we live life for.. WORK HARD and get something good?

[darinmoore]

I got paid for my report cards whenever I recieved good grades. I think it's a good way to get your kids to stay focused in school. I graduated with honors, and I think the system did well for me. I'm going to implement the same system on my kids.

[jue]

thats stupid
dudeee; i cant even get 5 dollars for like a A or 4+ or 100

[smile4me]

i dont necessarily see it as a bribe. more as a reward. or an incentive. i mean, if they dont want to get the a/b/whatever grade their parents want, its not like the consequences will be severe (varies)

[mocassinsx29]

I guess his parents cared about his future more than he did. :(
I get 90s and 95s all the time but my parents rarely give me something. I get the grades for my own satisfaction. And nerdiness.

[xsweetxcandyx]

its not bribing

its just a reward for doing well

my parents do that too...well only if i get over a 3.5

[Kenado]

I get all A's and I get absolutely nothing

[Mulder]

i think its bad because its kinda like parents are punishing kids for not getting good enough grades.