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Factors Influencing Adolescents' Income and Expenditures

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Abstract

Using the 1992 National Survey of Families and Households, this study examined factors influencing sources and amounts of adolescents' income and family expectations regarding expenditure of market earnings. Special attention was given to gender differences. There were 1165 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 in the sample. About half the sample received an allowance with younger adolescents and Black adolescents significantly more likely to receive one. About 43% of the sample were paid extra for doing jobs at home. Boys were significantly more likely to be paid for jobs at home than girls. However, girls received more money for the extra jobs than boys. Half of the sample was employed in the market place. Girls were significantly more likely to be employed than boys. White adolescents were more likely to be employed than adolescents of other racial groups, and older adolescents were more likely than younger ones to be working outside the home. Approximately 20% of the sample were expected to contribute to family expenses, 25% were expected to save half or more of their income for the future, and close to half of all respondents were expected to spend all of their income on whatever they chose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Family and Consumer Sciences, USA

    Carol B. Meeks (Professor)

  2. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011

    Carol B. Meeks (Professor)

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  1. Carol B. Meeks
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Meeks, C.B. Factors Influencing Adolescents' Income and Expenditures. Journal of Family and Economic Issues 19, 131–150 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022948623549

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