Much has been made about how many homeowners—and even traders—got bamboozled by the financial crisis. Well guess what: Now, even your kids don't trust banks—or the stock market.
Seven out of 10 teens said they believe that businesses often try to “trick young people” into spending more than they should, according to a recent survey of high school students by the University of Arizona.
The survey was of nearly 900 students at 18 high schools spread across 11 states.
Six out of 10—nearly two-thirds—said they thought credit-card companies entice people into taking on more debt than they should. Four out of five thought it was fair to say that banks are mostly interested in getting their money by hidden fees.
To be fair, their answers demonstrated that they’re still a little fuzzy about credit unions, credit reports, retirement and insurance.
But they know enough to know that they don’t trust Wall Street. A whopping 75 percent had no objection to the statement that “The stock market is rigged mostly to benefit greedy Wall Street bankers.”
Now, they may seem like a bunch of pessimistic, whatevaaaaah teens, but there was a distinct sense of optimism: More than two-thirds (68 percent) of the students said they believe they have significant control over their financial futures.
Most think that people of modest incomes can still become “financially well off” if they make the right decisions. And many also believe that parents, teachers, government and others will help to ensure that they have a solid financial future.
Ah, youth. It’ll wear off soon enough, don’t you think?
Fear and Other Words Starting With F:
- Ready to Quit Your Job? Read This First
- Economy's Latest Victim: Obnoxious Parents
- Kids' Book With 'F' Word in the Title Is No. 1
- Samuel L. Jackson Helps Put the Fear of God in Them
- The Worst Jobs in America 2011
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