Kids - Outsourcing 3rd Grade Homework

Outsourcing is the global economy. A few weeks ago my son Anthony who is in the 3rd grade decided to join this trend and outsourced a small multiplication worksheet to his brother in the 6th grade for $50 so he could his maximize video game playtime.

Anthony recently had a birthday and received cash as a gift. At his age money is magical and he hasn’t grasped its value or how difficult it can be for people to earn. In 3rd grade reality, money is some mysterious material that grows on trees, like cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets.


I told Anthony it was outrageous that he paid his brother $50. I told him Dad would have done it for $25.

I explained competition makes free markets efficient. Putting on my regulatory hat I explained the job of regulators should be act as referees to insure there is fair and vigorous free competition in marketplaces. Then I put on my Dad hat and told him to do his own homework.

It occurred to me that Anthony’s grasp of the value and worth of money is about the same as a United States Senator. If this continues, Anthony will probably become a US Senator someday. Steven charged a steep fee of $50 for his services so he has a future as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.

[Credit for the hamburger tree image to http://shirt.woot.com/derby/entry.aspx?id=35516
Here is the link to the art site ! ]