Growing Up in an Inflation World: A Teenager’s Challenge

[Zigabel]

I want to say that firstly it is not just a Nigerian parents thing not to allow their kids/minors start chasing independence at an age they do not find okay for them to get such exposure. there are other countries where same is practiced and these parents wait till their kids has gotten to a certain age they dim fit, then they will allow them chase independence, but within the age where the parents believes and know they can still fend and provide for the kids, they are compelled to stay under the guardian of the parents through their formative age. The aspects of Building early skills is the aspect i really do agree most parents sometimes get it wrong with, they express too many fears enough to not wanting their kids gain some of this knowledge that will be beneficial to them at a very early age.

it is very important and good to allow the kids develop skills at an early age, at that point they are learning for the purpose of having the skill that feels fun to them, at that time they have almost nothing really in mind about earning and so you see them learn really differently and develop proficiency at a very early age such that by the time they begin to monetize that skill, they will already be just too perfect at it and be able to establish independence at an early adulthood.

[abhiseshakana]

Now imagine an average teen probably in secondary School or primary still depending on their parents with their own needs in an inflation country as Nigerian

I discovered several facts: Nigeria's inflation is among the highest in the world. Nigeria has entered a cycle of extreme hyperinflation. In the past five years, Nigerians' purchasing power has fallen by more than 50%; incomes haven't increased, but prices have doubled or tripled, coupled with currency depreciation. I can imagine that for teenagers, this means it's nearly impossible to afford technology; even basic necessities become a burden on families; and economic opportunities are at a low ebb. Some data also shows that unemployment, especially among youth and those of productive age, is very high, indicating that the government doesn't provide a national internship program; the labor market isn't absorbing young people; and the informal economy is very large. Furthermore, I checked that in Nigeria, there are no part-time job opportunities for students, no social safety net, and no access to capital for young people. But is it true that the culture there dictates that parents forbid children from working and require them to focus on school? Doesn't this mean teenagers are in an economic trap where the cost of living rises while their earning power remains zero?

I believe inflation in Nigeria severely impacts teenagers because of the culture of total dependence on parents. When parents struggle, teenagers automatically become the next victims. The prices of goods and services needed by teenagers are highly affected by inflation (gadgets, internet data packages, transportation, food), all of which increase faster than general inflation. The opportunity for economic independence is virtually nil, given the absence of part-time work, meaning it cannot keep up with inflation. The social pressure there is not to appear luxurious but to appear normal.

For Nigerian teenagers, financial literacy alone is insufficient because social and government structures distort the distribution of opportunities. Teenagers need access to productive assets (quality education, skills, business capital, networks), but corruption and inequality make this access difficult. To help break out of this cycle, solutions must be collective/structural—not simply individual thrift and hard work. In a country with high corruption and inequality, social protection, government transparency, and equitable distribution of resources are prerequisites for literacy and individual efforts to have an impact.

Nigeria boasts vast natural resource potential and a young demographic, but this potential is hampered by systemic corruption, misallocation of resources, and inequality. Inequality and corruption exacerbate the impact of inflation on the lower classes, especially teenagers and low-income families. Therefore, inflation in Nigeria cannot be understood solely as a global economic phenomenon but also as a consequence of failed governance and the distribution of social justice.

[Hewlet]

In many countries, teenagers don’t need to rely fully on their parents to afford basic needs. Instead of teaching us how the system truly works and how we can start earning early by learning skills, many parents believe education alone is enough even when the cost of living keeps climbing.

There are different phases in life and for the difference phases, the things you should be occupied with differs. When you're young, what you should be primarily focused on should be gaining knowledge and learning all through because at such time, you're very receptive and getting information is quite easy for you. When you've grown and probably gone through the teenage age, you can then focus on building through the cummilative information you've gathered from your early years untill the present adulthood stage.

Most teenagers in developing countries easily get distracted when they start seeing money at a tender age. With time, if you allow them, Thier attention becomes too focused on money such that they become lazy to learning other things that are of importance to them.

[uche6215]

Inflation is one thing that has been a big problem in the whole world, this is because governments all over the world has been paying lip service in bringing solutions to the problems of inflation globally. Africa is the worst hit continent with the problem of inflation, this is due to their weak economies which largely depends on import for local demands. Nigeria the biggest nation in the African continent can't break free from the problem of inflation until they prioritize local production. Teenagers in Nigeria has to  break free from the chains that parents and even society has put on them by learning a viable skills that has relevance in their immediate environment.

[Victorybit1]

Inflation is one thing that has been a big problem in the whole world this is because governments all over the world has been paying lip service in bringing solutions to the problems of inflation globally. Africa is the worst hit nation with the problem of inflation this is due to their weak economies which largely depends on import for local demands. Nigeria the biggest nation in the world can't break free from the problem of inflation until they prioritize local production a priority. Teenagers in Nigeria has to take break free from the chains that parents and even society has put on them by learning a viable skills that has relevance in their immediate environment.

Wow so Nigeria is the biggest nation in the world? ☹️ I actually didn't know well that's something you don't learn everyday 😁. Inflation is everywhere and it has cause so many problems and difficulties for many economies of different nations, I think I read somewhere that countries actually taught that they could reduce inflation by actually getting to over print their country fiat currency which is definitely the wrong approach to tackling inflation because this action will only lead to devaluation of the currency which will then mean more printer paper with more or less important which is not the problem solution at all.

[Jegileman]

Take phones as an example. The average teenager can barely afford a brand-new device in Nigeria today because of high inflation. Even older models that used to be cheap are now expensive.

Inflation may be something we can’t control, but learning skills early and understanding how the economy works can help teenagers adapt and survive.

Education is not enough to liberate poverty from what it is today, we need to have skills to incorporate with our education in order to stand at an edge in this inflationary environment we found ourselves in. Any parents that’s still having the mentality that education is enough to help build a child’s future, then they’ll need to have a rethink of what they have in mind. Phones should not even be used as examples in such cases, if you as an adult cannot provide the basic necessities of yours and still rely on your parents even after school, it means the system is not helping matters and things needs to change for the better for the people.

[Agbamoni]

Here is a comparison of the data from the source I visited.

Nigeria inflation 2025

(Sourch: https://id.tradingeconomics.com/nigeria/inflation-cpi)

Indonesia's Inflation in 2025

(Sourch: https://id.tradingeconomics.com/indonesia/inflation-cpi)

Perhaps in 2025, the situation will improve slightly. However, I believe the number will still be quite high. I was surprised that at the end of 2024, the number was even above 30%.

Your chart is 100% accurate.

The difference in the rate at which inflation increases between the two countries you shared here is that, if inflation increases in Indonesia, then it has to be exponentially or annually. But in Nigeria, it increases monthly. And the percentage of increase is so high that it is almost 100% each month.

[SquallLeonhart]

This is the reason why many older generations like mine and older ones think that Z generation is just a careless and useless group of people, because they do not see the full picture.

They look at the new generation and they think the new generation is just lazy and nothing more, but the reality is that the new generation is not lazy, they are just aware that they will not be paid anything worthy of getting worked over, so they are not willing to sell their life in exchange for a terrible life.

I hope they win against the companies who will have to hire them all eventually.

[Justbillywitt]

Inflation is not just limited to one region or country. Inflation has been a major challenge to the world economy it has been there over the years and it will continue to be here as long as life continues. The problem is this, some of our parents are just used to the old system of how things were being run in the 70s and thereabouts, they still believe in that old order of going to school and graduate and get a good job.

But you as a teenager who has seen what's happening in today's world, you can sit your parents down and let them know that you prefer skills than going through class room education. Give them the reasons why skills are the most sought after in today's labour market. As an informed young adult you can sit your parents down and have a productive discussion with them. If you don't tell them they won't know and they will continue making same old mistakes.

Nowadays, having skills can help you get a job quickly, but that doesn't mean that education or degrees are useless. Schools and degrees are not as useless as you think. Don't blame your parents for forcing you to follow that path or don't blame your education if you graduate but don't get the job you expected. Because look at the most successful people in the world, how many of them got to the top with just a few skills? Or why many graduates can get good jobs but we can't?

Skills are important, but it's best to have both qualifications and skills. If you only have a degree without skills, you will have a hard time competing, but if you only have skills without a degree, your opportunities will sometimes be limited.

Yes I understand what you are saying and I quite agree with you that both are important and none should be neglected. Anyone who can afford both should go for if. The only thing I will add is that if a person is not from a family that is well to do, like someone that comes from a family that doesn't have money, the person should learn a skill first established himself in it before going to higher institution. Because if you finish higher institution before deciding to learn a skill, it becomes very difficult and very demanding because at that time some people find it hard to submit themselves to learning the skills.

[Furious 7]

As teenagers, especially men, we must do our best for ourselves and our families, such as helping the family economy or preparing for our own future. After all, we are the ones who have control over our future, so it's only natural that we strive for the best.

For example, in life, we need money to survive and achieve comfort. We must work to earn it. We are lucky if we can land a well-paying job. Furthermore, we must manage our money well, setting aside some for savings and using it for personal or family needs. And we must also be mindful of our social circle, avoiding the wrong kind of relationships.

[YOSHIE]

Inflation may be something we can’t control, but learning skills early and understanding how the economy works can help teenagers adapt and survive.

For this reason, the level of inflation in each country continues to worsen the national and international economy and with the uncontrolled situation, goods are increasing crazily, this is a real challenge for everyone, especially young people today.

Thus, as parents we need to teach today's young people the importance of saving and investing, don't buy what you don't need, at least this can reduce the pressure of inflation, young people will realize the badness of inflation.

[bitgolden]

Raising a kid during inflation isn't easy neither for the parent. Just because the children having trouble understanding the concept of money because it constantly changes while they are growing up, doesn't mean it makes it any easier for us just because we are grown up. I cannot really know what is expensive and what is not anymore since I keep seeing prices change all the time and I lost my understanding of correct pricing as well. High inflation is ruining economy for everyone.

[Jateng]

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One factor that has given more edge to kids of today is the social media which is supported by smart phones and internet facility plus access to it that connects you from your rural home to white house where the tenant their can view your works. Kids are skit makers and millionaires even more than their parents. Some kids have become breadwinners to their families while the parents become their managers. There are so many opportunities to children of today that while they are still in school, they still make money from trading, investment in crypto, skit making, designs etc.

Growing in inflation does not affect equally, it affect every class differently in inflation rich easily adjust whereas lower or middle class families suffer alot. inflation also affect different age groups in different way. older are ready to adjust but teenagers sometime they have to sacrifice their dreams. many  teenager forced  to sacrifice in term of education or in term of parties, they have to forgo even their interest. Even They have to enter early in the market for stabilizing the financial need of their family. inflation not only hurt wallet but it also hurts minds. They can't have to afford big dream and in other words you can say that inflation is a battle  for stabilizing the education mental peace and opportunities.

[goro_chief]

I’m sure many of you have noticed how frequently the price of goods and services keeps rising. This situation is what we all know as inflation.

Just a few years ago, items like phones, bottled water, bread, headsets, and other everyday goods cost less than half of what they do today.

Growing up as a teen in an inflation-stricken country can be frustrating and exhausting. This is especially true in Nigeria, where most parents don’t support teenagers financially or allow them to work and earn something for themselves. Many teens are still in secondary or even primary school, so they have no chance to build independence.

In many countries, teenagers don’t need to rely fully on their parents to afford basic needs. Instead of teaching us how the system truly works and how we can start earning early by learning skills, many parents believe education alone is enough even when the cost of living keeps climbing.

Take phones as an example. The average teenager can barely afford a brand-new device in Nigeria today because of high inflation. Even older models that used to be cheap are now expensive.

Inflation may be something we can’t control, but learning skills early and understanding how the economy works can help teenagers adapt and survive.

Yeah I see your point OP, but tbh, it’s not just parents being strict—it’s the system itself. Even if teens could work, the wages are often too low to keep up with crazy inflation. Skills help, sure, but inflation hits everyone, not just students. It’s rough everywhere, not just Nigeria

[tottong]

Raising a kid during inflation isn't easy neither for the parent. Just because the children having trouble understanding the concept of money because it constantly changes while they are growing up, doesn't mean it makes it any easier for us just because we are grown up. I cannot really know what is expensive and what is not anymore since I keep seeing prices change all the time and I lost my understanding of correct pricing as well. High inflation is ruining economy for everyone.

That's true because I've been in that situation, and now everything costs money, even paying for school. Sometimes we think about teaching children to be responsible for themselves and how a child can achieve a much better life than us based on the opportunities available.
The truth is, not all children are fortunate; many are still struggling for a better life, especially during times of inflation.

Job opportunities are sometimes very difficult to find, forcing teenagers to struggle for a better life. The lack of these opportunities can sometimes lead to problems, forcing children to work abroad under conditions that are not necessarily good.