1. Pocket Money Discussions
The Halifax Bank conducts a survey about pocket money every year. One of the findings
in 2007 was that 31% of children receive their pocket money for doing jobs around
the house.
There was a difference between boys and girls: 35% of girls earned their pocket
money for doing housework, compared with only 28% of boys.
Discussion Point 1 – given or earned?
Some adults think that children should be given pocket money and some think that they
should earn it by doing suitable jobs, Working with your group, agree a set of reasons in
support of each of these opinions.
Reasons why children should just be Reasons why children should have to earn
given pocket money: their pocket money:
Working as a group, make a list of the jobs you would consider reasonable for someone
your age earn pocket money. How much should be paid for each job? The total amount
should be close to the average for your age group.
Jobs to do around the house Agreed pay
Total Amount:

2. Discussion Point 2 – what should pocket money be spent on?
What should pocket money be expected to pay for? Is it for sweets and treats, trips to
the cinema, playstation games? Is it for clothes, to save up for holidays, or to save up for
something special?
Make a list of the things that you think you should pay for with pocket money and a list of
the things that are provided for you (for free!) at home:
These are things that I think I should These are things that I get for free at
pay for with my pocket money. home.

3. Discussion Point 3 – at what age and until what age?
When you get older (and taller and stronger than you are now!), should you still be given
pocket money, or should you be expected to find a part-time job?
Younger children
Obviously, younger children still at primary school are not going to be able to do some of the
jobs that you might have listed. At what age should children be given pocket money?
Discuss your views with the person next to you and then with others in your group. Be
prepared to share your opinions with the whole class. Write down your own opinions here:
In my opinion ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………...........
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
When you are older …
Should you still be given pocket money when you get older or should you be expected to find
a part-time job? If you think you should be expected to get a job, at what age?
Discuss your views with the person next to you and then with others in your group. Be
prepared to share your opinions with the whole class. Write down your own opinions here:
In my opinion ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………...........
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Discussion Point 4 – part-time jobs for young people and the law
As you might expect, there are laws about the employment of young people in the United
Kingdom. Working as a group, write down a list of what you think those laws should be.
When your list is completed, be prepared to share your thoughts with other groups.
You might have the opportunity to do some research on what the laws are about the
employment of young people, when they came about and what children were employed doing
before they came into existence.