Parents are facing backlash after scolding their middle school child for spending nearly 30,000 won on a burger set. The incident has sparked criticism among office workers and online users.
On July 30, a post titled "My middle school child bought nearly 30,000 won worth of hamburgers at a fast-food restaurant" appeared on the anonymous office worker community Blind.
The author, identified as A, who works at Koh Young Technology, wrote, "I asked if they bought food for friends, but they said no. They claimed they spent their own money." A detailed that the receipt showed the hamburger cost 14,000 won, fries 6,000 won, and a milkshake nearly 7,000 won.
A expressed disbelief at the situation, stating, "I scolded them because it didn’t make sense, but they said they saved money by not going to McDonald's three times a month. I told them I would reduce their allowance if this continued."
A mentioned that after giving their child an allowance, they require them to attach receipts to a family budget in Notion, emphasizing that the child tends to spend significantly on desired items. A argued, "This is dangerous. If their standards become too high, they will only seek out such items when they have their own money later on."
A also noted, "I give them 10,000 won for dinner before going to their academy, but I suspect they are saving that money by eating at home instead. It’s hard for me to understand how a child can buy something that even adults can’t afford."
However, many commenters criticized A's parenting approach.
An employee from Samsung Electronics commented, "I don’t see what the problem is," to which A replied that it was a "habit of luxury." The commenter countered, "They are saving to buy what they want. That’s a good thing. What more should a middle schooler want? Should they save for a deposit or invest in ETFs? This seems like a healthy consumption habit for their age."
Another commenter from Kakao Pay remarked, "They are planning and executing their desires, yet you criticize them. Poor kid." A retorted, "Planning should involve productive activities."
Another office worker asked, "Why is it a problem for them to have high standards? Diverse experiences enrich a child's life. Saving money to invest in good experiences isn’t luxury. Do you want your child to live a narrow life without good experiences?" A responded, "But why is it about food? If it were books or exhibitions, no one would say anything."
In response to a comment suggesting that strict parenting could lead to rebellion, A stated, "It’s about preventing neglect, not allowing freedom. Spending 30,000 won on a hamburger doesn’t make sense. I’ve never done that in my life."
A worker from Daewoo Engineering & Construction commented, "Just let them try it," while another from Lotte Shopping added, "Why have kids if you’ve never experienced this yourself?"
The post has since gained traction across various online communities, with most users expressing critical views.
One user wrote, "If you raise them like that, they might rebel and engage in impulsive spending later on," while another noted, "It’s impressive that a middle schooler can save up to buy an expensive burger instead of just eating three regular ones."
Other comments included, "Saving up leads to problems? Just spend it as soon as you get it. Great job destroying your child's spending habits, parents," and "This kid will probably cut ties with their parents as soon as they become an adult." Many expressed admiration for the child’s ability to save, with one saying, "It’s not easy to do that at a young age," and another questioning how strict the parents must be if they react this way to a hamburger purchase.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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