engleski

The importance of financial literacy for teens

The concept of financial literacy, as well as its constituent part – financial literacy of teenagers, has become a central topic of scientific and empirical practical research during the last two decades. Namely, the recent global financial crisis, which resulted in high unemployment rates, mortgage crisis, the growth of personal and public debt, inflation and a high level of financial uncertainty, has emphasized the importance of possessing financial knowledge and skills. Faced with contemporary financial trends, teenagers are forced to be familiar with basic financial terms, their interdependence and the regulatory instruments which affect them. The results of existing research imply that most of today’s teenagers occasionally work, own accounts in financial institutions and decide on the purchase of goods and services. In such conditions, there is a logical demand for teenagers to become qualified in financial decision - making and money management. Furthermore, financial literacy is one of basic assumptions for starting an independent life. At the same time, the unexpected and surprising fact is that most of today’s teenagers feel extreme financial anxiety and are in search of answers. The paper has been drafted in a way that it first defines the term financial literacy which has been adapted to the target group of teenage population, and afterwards it considers former research on the level of their financial literacy. The presented results of available research represent a starting assumption for recognizing the importance of financial literacy for teenagers. The final aim is to elaborate the level of financial literacy of target population in detail, and to create guidelines for awakening the teenagers and promoting financial literacy as an imperative of contemporary formal educational programmes.

financial literacy, teens, financial education

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