It is a very odd and not often asked question, but should children be given watches? Should they be allowed to actually wear it? Of course, different people from different socioeconomic backgrounds will have different answers. Watches, ever since it was first produced and sold, have always been defined as something necessary.
However, this is also considered as accessories of trend that makes the wearer look like he or she is in fashion or in the vogue. Watches are the perfect marriage of necessity and fashion. But one the question of whether or not it should be given for kids to wear, one must consider that there might be some benefits that parents can get from that as well.
Watches can help children create a healthy routine or a good habit. One of the most important things that a child has to learn, and this transcends all cultures, is to build up his credibility and personal habits especially in keeping his promises.
One way to train your child to keep his or her promises is to practice keeping time, which can be achieved by wearing a watch. For example, if he or she makes a promise that bedtime is 9:30, then you can enforce that by giving your child a watch so that your child can tell when it is time for bed.
Human beings are creatures that have the primordial attraction to habits. So by giving your child a watch and by teaching him or her how to read time, you are propping them up to practice good time keeping habits with just one look at the watch. Being on time is a principle that you need to instill into your child so that he can become someone who knows how to keep his or her arrangements and appointments.
If anything, giving your young child a watch is better than giving him or her a mobile phone. With watches, they can learn to keep time and organize their activities for the day. But today's modern watches are not only for time keeping, but they have other child friendly functions as well. Many parents say that they want to give their seven year old child a cell phone so they can track him or her down, just in case someone will think of causing their children harm.
That is a perfectly valid reason, and with today's crime rates, practicing this kind of precaution is necessary. However, you can get watches with GPS and even a walkie talkie-like mechanism. This are great watches for young children because you can track wherever they are and you can even train them to activate the walkie talkie or push to talk mechanism when they are in trouble. This sends a signal to you which you can track down easily. That way you know your child is protected but you do not have to deal with the problems of cell phone use.
Yes, giving your children watches can be a very good idea. It can actually help them in the long run. But perhaps the issue really is what kind of watch you are planning to give them. It is definitely not recommended for you to give them designer or luxury watches, whether or not you can afford to splurge on such a purchase.
It is simply inappropriate for a child. Instead, get them watches with their favorite cartoon characters or pictures or watches that have the security features mentioned above.