Are We Teaching Our Children That Panhandling is Alright?

Do we really want to teach our kids that begging in$25/month, giving the kid a choice. What do you prefer
front of a store for money is OK when we needto be on this hockey team, or have a mobile phone?
something, instead of actually instilling a hard workWe can't afford both so it is your choice.
ethic? I remember growing up going door to door onI saw first hand the result of allowing kids to have
Halloween for UNICEF, and feeling I'm doing my parteverything, and teaching them it is ok to beg for
because this was a great way to help families in othermoney at an early developmental stage of life. This
countries who might not be as fortunate. No big dealsituation might be extreme, but in general these young
people expected me to knock on their doors duringadults have a very poor work ethic because
Halloween, and if they put money in the box fine, andeverything they wanted was just given to them. In a
those who did not cool. Guilt was not part of thematter of speaking it was like beg, borrow, and steal to
approach. Buying a paper flower from a veteranget what you want. With that said, I was enraged
made and makes me feel proud because of thosebecause a decade ago I had a retail business in
people's sacrifices and bravery we are free today,downtown Ottawa where I worked 80 hrs a week,
and they do not hassle you to buy either. In my opinionand in front of my store all day long were young
these were and are selfless acts. That was then thispeople between seventeen and twenty fives years
now...old panhandling. One day I decided to ask a few of
I'm finding that every time we pay to register our childthem their story, and why they can't find a normal job?
for something they must participate in different fundAs a matter of fact I offered jobs to some in my
raising activities, like forcing our kids in front of storesestablishment. The answer was they earn $100-$200
to beg perfect strangers for cash, have them knocka day; they could sit in the sun all day during the
on peoples doors selling products, or take part in carsummer with their friends, no set hours, and do not
washing. I personally disagree with putting children onhave to pay taxes on what they make. Where do you
the streets to raise money in order to have an awardsthink they learned this concept from? Most of them
dinner, purchase new uniforms or trips for the team.where not homeless, had three square meals day, nice
Perhaps those extra dollars should come from theclothes, and lived at home with their parents. Doesn't
team or organization finding corporate sponsors, orthat just fill your soul with pride knowing the mentality
from the pockets of parents who have agreed to putof some of our nation's youth who will one day be the
their child into these type activities. Why should the restfuture decision makers? Are we really doing any
of us be responsible and subjected to thesejustice by teaching them begging for what they want
situations? Perhaps I would not have a problem if theyis acceptable behavior? Let's face it this conduct was
did this to help others, not themselves, and it taught thelearned at a young age through the organizations they
kids social conscience.participated in, and parents encouraging their young
I think this is just taking advantage of people's goodones to go out in the street and panhandling in an
nature. It would seem that majority of our children,organized fashion.
regardless what economical background; seem to beAs a side bar I believe that not every parent accepts
able to sport a mobile phone on their person. Howthis type of conduct, teaches their children about a
many kids have Wii games and music DS? Perhaps itdollar saved is a dollar earned, and if you want
is time to teach our kids the value of a dollar, bysomething then find a part time job to earn it. In my
allowing them to make choices based on a familyday I was one of those kids without a lot, which has
budget, rather then trying to provide everything, andinstilled within me a strong character and motivation to
then having a short fall sending them out to beg forstrive for better. Just like any young person I wanted it
money, because the activity they're in is too costly.all, but in my day if your family could not afford the
More parents need to learn the power of "no"hockey gear, registration, and traveling expense sorry
because in the real world their kids will have to dealfor your luck!! I did not feel deprived because my
with not getting everything they want. Just think if eachchoice was a nice bike; I could play road hockey with
kid needs to raise an additional $200, how aboutmy friends in spring, and pick up ice hockey in the
figuring the monthly mobile phone cost ranging aroundwinter. I survived!!