Teens Comment on Allowances

Re “Should Teens Get an Allowance?” Voices, Jan. 15: Three out of the four young people contributing to this forum are sadly lacking even the most basic understanding or appreciation for the monetary gifts they are receiving from their parents. Unfortunately they seem to think they have a right to allowances, cars and the various extravagances described in their essays with no effort on their part. If these students reflect the values instilled by their parents, I can only hope that they and not Michael Rocha are the exception.

Keep up the good work, Michael Rocha; your responsibility and work ethic are to be much admired, and I’m sure your parents are very proud of you.

CHARLENE SODERGREN

Simi Valley

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I was disappointed, even frightened, at the responses of three out of the four teens you queried on this topic. Words such as “need,” “deserve” and “give me” leaped out of the comments. Thank goodness for Rocha, a 16-year-old sophomore who seems to have the right idea about an allowance. Credit goes to his parents as well.

We say that the teens of today are the leaders of tomorrow. I will place my confidence in Michael any day. For the others I will offer prayers that their selfishness and “me-first” attitudes won’t get in their ways of becoming the leaders we would hope they could become--with changed values!

ELLEN KNUFF

Huntington Beach