Ampil Melola Keuangan Dapat Diasah Sejak Dini Dengan Keterbukaan Finansial Dalam Keluarga

Involving children in managing finances can help them understand the differences in needs and desires. (Unsplash)

JAKARTA Discussion of economic problems in the family is often considered taboo. In fact, being open about finances in a family that is instilled from an early age is a form of preparing children to face financial challenges in the future.

Apart from sex education, economic problems are also among the most rarely discussed problems in a family, because they are considered not commonplace. In fact, this openness can cause major problems in the family, ranging from domestic violence to divorce.

Clinical and forensic psychologist Kasandra Putranto said economic conditions have an impact on the mentality of parents, which leads to parenting.

"Parents often have difficulty communicating about financial problems with their children, which cause further stress and anxiety," Kasandra told VOI.

The Cause Of The Second Largest Divorce

Financial problems turned out to be one of the sources of domestic quarrels. This problem is considered sensitive, so many couples tend to avoid it. According to the Fidelity Investments survey of 3,426 people, most of them have difficulty communicating about finances with their partners.

By constantly not communicating financial topics, this problem can become a time bomb. The reason is, family finances can also fall apart and even interfere with the health of domestic relations.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2023 states that five of the main causes of divorce in Indonesia. Economic problems ranks second-largest with 108,488 cases and only lost to continuous disputes which led to the first divorce with 251,828 cases.

The other three causes of divorce are because one party leaves a partner, domestic violence, and gets drunk. Recently, the online gambling case that has become increasingly widespread is also said to be one of the causes of divorce.

Kasandra Putranto said that economic conditions greatly affect the mental health of parents, especially in the context of increasing levels of anxiety and stress.

Economic pressure can have a negative impact on relationships with partners and children. About 64 percent of parents feel that economic anxiety affects their relationship with their partners, while 63 percent report similar feelings for their children," Kasandra said.

He continued, parents often have difficulty communicating about financial problems with their children, causing further stress and anxiety.

Seeing that economic problems have a close relationship with the harmony of a family, Kasandra emphasized the importance of openness in discussing financial problems, including between parents and children. He mentioned several reasons why communication about financial problems is important in a family, including building financial literacy.

By discussing economic topics, parents can help children understand basic financial concepts, such as money management, savings, and investment. This is important to prepare them for future financial challenges," said Kasandra.

Teaching Priority And Sacrifice

Parents also need to be open to talking about finances with their children to reduce stress and anxiety. Kasandra said, when children find out about their family's financial situation, they can feel safer and reduce anxiety that may arise from uncertainty.

"Openness can help them understand that financial problems are common and can be overcome," he added.

Discussions on the economy in the family can also help children understand the value of money and the importance of wise management. It can also teach them about priorities and sacrifices.

When children are used to being invited to talk about finances, this will encourage them to take responsibility for managing finances. Children can also learn to make good financial decisions and understand the consequences of their choices.

And most importantly open financial problems in the family means preparing children to look to the future.

"Openness in discussing the economy can prepare children to face future financial challenges, such as higher education, housing purchases, and pension planning," Kasandra explained.

"Discussion is open about finance can strengthen the relationship between parents and children. This creates space for honest communication and mutual trust," he said.

Finally, Kasandra also emphasized the importance of involving children in financial management so that it can help them understand the differences between needs and desires, as well as develop good financial skills in the future.