It doesn't get any simpler than this:
1. Any parent that voluntarily buys and pays for the service on an iPhone for their 14 year old child is teaching a very poor lesson. At 14, they have no concept yet of budgeting, saving, prioritizing, etc... showing them that no matter how exclusive, overpriced, or unreasonable something is, if they want it, they can have it, is BAD.
There are no "special circumstances" or conditions that can justify buying a 14 year old an iPhone. Everyone seems to think that their particular situation is a unique exception. "I raked the leaves for three weeks straight!" Congratulations.
2. Any 14 year old that saves what little money they earn to buy and pay for an iPhone has their priorities way out of whack. No 14 year old does ANYTHING without their parents allowing them to do so, so again this points back to bad parenting.
First of all, many 14 year olds do plenty without their parents allowing them to do so! However, that is not the point of my post. I am not so old or cantankerous, in my middle age, that I think ill of all teenagers. I for one, can give them, as a group, the benefit of the doubt. I can still remember what is was like being a hard working teen, with no respect or rights, no matter what I did. So...
What an odd thing to say for someone whose user name is GTiPhone! I'm going to go out on a limb and assume (yes, I know assuming is not a bright thing to do!) that you have an iPhone. Are your priorities out of whack? Why is it ok for you to spend your money on an iPhone, but it is not ok for a teen to do so? If they worked for the money, it is their money! They have just as much a right to decide what to spend their money on as you do!
Are you serious?! Are you judging kids who work and save their money to get what they want?! Seriously?! You're mocking the teaching of a work ethic?! Please!
What allowing them to save up for an iPhone (or whatever), especially if you have first taught them to keep money saved that they do not touch, or make sure they have their other necessities paid for first, is that if you want something nice and/or expensive, you have to work, save, and budget for it! That is a life skill, my friend! I would like to think that kids will learn it is far better to save for a down payment on a house, rather than get a "no money down" mortgage that will bite them in the rear later. We should never miss an opportunity to teach kids to save for the things they want. Their credit scores will thank us later!
And as for giving your children (or other young loved ones) expensive gifts like the iPhone, who are you to judge how people reward young people for good behavior, or what gifts they choose to give in general? I was raised to work very hard for what I have, but also to be very generous. My parents gave me plenty of nice (expensive) things, but I had a job of my own as soon as I was old enough to, and I also did most of the housekeeping at home!
Sure, some kids are spoiled and do not deserve the gifts they receive, but I think it is presumptuous to assume that giving kids expensive gifts amounts to bad parenting. It may simply mean that the particular gift giver works hard and is financially blessed (not to mention generous), traits I believe most parents would hope their children will someday possess. It may actually set a good example. "My parents work hard and can afford to keep me clothed, sheltered, well educated, fed, and buy me nice things. Maybe I should go to college and work hard; then maybe I can do the same for my children." Think about it! Just my humble opinion.
I do not mean this as a flame, but I could not help but see flaws in your logic. I apologize if I have offended you, but really, is it necessary to be so judgmental?
