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What is the "Token Economy?"
The “Token Economy” is based upon the principle that you must earn what you get and you pay for what you use. It is high moral degeneracy for able-bodied people to be parasites and “con” a living off the hard workers of society. The belief that we can get “something” for “nothing” is a false and terrible lie. It leads to disappointment and bankruptcy. Someone once truly said, “There is no such thing as a ‘free’ lunch.” Even when “free” lunches are served in schools they are not “free”. Someone must pay for the lunch, even if the child or his parents cannot!
Children who do not work (but who are given everything that hard work produces) are trained to expect something for nothing and to freeload off of others. These children fail to develop those character traits that come from hard work: self- respect, independence and integrity. The Token Economy is a system that both recognizes and proportionately rewards work and effort. It is a system which puts into practice the Correct Principles of parenting as taught in this program. If the Correct Principles are followed and the Token Economy wisely and skillfully put into practice, it will help parents avoid the Parent Traps mentioned in this program as well as many others not mentioned.
The TOKEN ECONOMY is a system that rewards work, and requires “something” for “something” and does not give “something” for “nothing”. Value for value! It is based upon (and employs) the principles of: freedom and accountability, earning and thrift, challenge and reward, struggle and growth, integrity and virtue, duty, responsibility, and much more. These all come into focus through an intelligently applied program of industry called, “WORK!” In other words, it is designed to develop skills, confidence and high moral values in those individuals who practice it; AND IT DOES!
See Article: The Token Economy - Part I
Contracts: What can contracts earn a child?
Contracts can earn tokens, money, prizes, different privileges (have friends over for a party), the right to wave specified restrictions (stay out one hour past normal curfew), or anything the child wants that is legal and which you can afford! Don’t scold for failing to honor contracts. Simply say in a matter-of-fact way, “You forgot your bed this morning, so no points for that!” and move on.
Depending upon the child (from about age 6) the “Earnings Contract” becomes very easy to use. It allows for many behaviors and many rewards because these older children are required to earn, save and buy an ever increasing number of personal items. Remember, kids hate to do chores, so we prefer not to have negative sounding “chore charts”. However, kids love to earn and have money. The “Earnings Contract” (a multiple task record) allows the focus to be on various behaviors simultaneously which are still weak and need reinforcement.
What is a "Contingency" contract?
A contingency contract is a promise to get something if you first do something; it is a conditional promise. “You can play when (if) your homework is completed. You may watch TV as soon as (if) the dishes are done.” Our children have been given many things and privileges without earning them. Contingency contracting is now going to require children to earn much of what they have been taking for granted. Johnny rides his bike and plays with friends every day after school, but he hasn’t been cleaning his bedroom or his bathroom. He has taken these privileges for granted.
From now on his parents are going to require that he earn the privilege of using his bike and playing with friends. “Johnny, from now on, first, you clean your bedroom, and then you may go outside and play with friends. Also from now on, as soon as your bathroom passes inspection each day you may take your bike out of the garage and use it.” This is the first (state behavior), then (state privilege) principle.
From now on stop automatically “giving” everything to your children; require privileges and possessions to be earned! Take away many of the natural and fun things in life and make it necessary for them to be earned. Things that have been taken for granted and occur often can be used as reinforcers to get the behaviors you want. There are many natural reinforcers in our lives such as: TV, toys, playing outside, desserts, computer games, bikes, pets, eating out, parks, treats, guests, etc., that can be withheld and used as contingent reinforcers. They can have, or do.....as soon as they finish.....! Be tough, “easy” parents train children to be manipulative, selfish and lazy!
What is the Trust Bank?
Lessons in Integrity. The Trust Bank concept teaches that trust is earned by acting trustworthy. This is a very powerful teaching tool. Being trustworthy is being worthy of trust. We prove we are worthy of trust by our actions. A child is always pushing the limits and claiming, “You don’t trust me!” as though parents should automatically trust them before they have demonstrated their worthiness and capacity to be trusted. To help understand what kind of personal actions earn trust from others, we put four simple virtues on the four steps leading up to the Trust Bank. You can change them to suit your purposes, but these have served well.
What are trust bank deposits, withdrawals and bankruptcy?
Deposits are made into our Trust Banks by each personal action that demonstrates we are worthy of trust. Withdrawals take place when we have an opportunity to demonstrate we are trustworthy and fail to do so. Bankruptcy of the trust bank occurs every time there is a major breech of trust; when trust has been violated either by untrustworthy actions or failure to perform as promised (this includes lying, and other moral issues).
Should you trust because you love?
NO! Trust and love are very different. Love is unconditional. You can trust or not trust people whether you love them or not. Parents love their children deeply and unconditionally whether they are the prettiest, strongest, smartest or the best athlete in school. Unconditional love is freely given (not earned) regardless of any other factor. Love is always there. Trust is conditional. Trust is earned and given only upon certain conditions and only to people who have consistently demonstrated that they are worthy of our trust. What influences people to trust us? What do we have to do to earn and to be worthy of the trust of others?
Can you name the 4 steps to trust?
Step 1 - Accountability
This means that we take full personal responsibility for everything we say or do. When we are accountable, we are willing to accept the full consequences for all our words and actions! In short, we admit to ourselves and others our mistakes. Then, more importantly, we correct them, ask forgiveness or do whatever it takes to make amends. Being accountable is being willing to be responsible to yourself and to others for everything you do and say, and then doing what is right by everyone!
Step 2 - Dependability
Being dependable is fulfilling our responsibilities to ourselves and everyone we are responsible to. Being dependable means people can count on us to do what we said we would do, be where we said we would be, when we said we’d be there. Most of all, they can count on us to keep our word every time; not just sometimes or most of the time, or only when it’s convenient or doesn’t require a sacrifice.
Step 3 - Good Judgment
This entails selecting the morally correct course of action after carefully gathering all the necessary facts and weighing them. Two words: good and judgment. “Judgment” is the ability to weigh the facts, observe the situation, and then make a decision. “Good” means that the decision is based on fact; not prejudiced with personal needs or desires and that it is an accurate and proper choice. “Good” also implies a choice of: right not wrong, correct not incorrect, good not bad!
Step 4 - Honesty
Honesty is the glue that holds our society together and insures our good judgment, our dependability and our accountability. Without possessing integrity or honesty, it is impossible to have any of the other three virtues. Integrity is “not exaggerating”. It is telling the “whole truth” even when it will cause our parents to say “No!” If we have integrity, our parents know they can believe every word we say. They know that you would never lie to them no matter how much pressure you receive. Without truth, without integrity, there can be no trust.
How can parents help the child?
You teach by modeling, and encourage by pointing out ways a child can show you Accountability, Dependability, Good Judgment and Honesty in their daily lives. When children are able to demonstrate these attributes of character, parents can put check marks or stars on the step which has that particular virtue. A parent will require one or more stars for each step, depending on the child, age, etc. Breaking trust into the four attributes mentioned above and requiring children to develop those virtues helps young people understand, appreciate and value trust. They come to realize that it is their responsibility to develop, to demonstrate and in a word to become worthy of trust, or to “IN-DEED” be, “TRUST-WORTHY”!
Other factors underlying trust
Parents can absolutely trust in the child’s integrity and intentions and still deny his request to go somewhere or to do something. More often than not, when the child hears “No!” he will say, “You don’t trust me!” Some parents get confused and say, “Of course we do!” and eventually give in. In these situations, parents need to point out the distinctions between not trusting the child and not trusting other aspects involved in the request.
NOTE: If the parents don’t trust the child, then they should be honest and say, “We don’t trust you. You have lied to us in the recent past and misled us and truthfully we can’t believe what you say. These are the obvious consequences of your lying and breaking the trust between us. Do you want to work with us on ‘trust’ so that you can enjoy more privileges?” If you do trust the child, then let the child know that your “No!” was not for lack of trust in him/her.
This is Part II of an abridged version of the Token Economy chapter from James Jones‘ book, "Let‘s Fix the Kids!" See the Articles section for Part I of this chapter. For more detail about The Token Economy, the Point System, and the Trust Bank, with Charts and instruction about implementation, FamilyIQ has more material dealing with this topic. Please call 888-249-9596 for information on how to obtain this material or visit the FamilyIQ Shop at http://www.familyiq.com/shop/merchant.mvc
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