Yes or no? Even experts disagree on this. What do you think?

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I said no. The thing is, my husband and I agree it needs to be tied to behavior, how else can you punish them? And a lot of behavior is chores.
However, I've read and agree that children shouldn't be paid for doing things they benefit from (cleaning their rooms, setting the table). Also, my children will be doing chores long before they get or need an allowance. I think we will pay for doing extra chores, or very hard things - helping clean out the garage, or with a landscaping project maybe.
Curious to see what everyone else thinks.

No...

Our kids don't even have 'chores'. They're helpful and do what I ask, when I ask them...so it works for us!

I believe children need to do some sort of "work" to get an allowance. Why would they just get money for doing nothing?
This week Riley (7.5) is starting to get allowance. We made up a graft with different chores on it. If he completes his job he puts a check mark. He'll get a specific amount for each job done.
He's very excited.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

My DD is too young for chores (22 months) but still gets her allowance of $5 a month. We are going to try and teach how important it is to save so we started for her at birth so when she is 6 or 7 she can see how saving money can add up.

Yes they will be expected to do there chores but I agree they shouldn't be paid to do things they should be doing.

I can see them doing extra things for money yes but they will get an allowance based on behavior. My parents used a sticker chart when we were little if we didn't get our room clean or had a break down or made a huge mess and didn't clean in up it was either no sticker or a very small one if we did everything we were supposed to we got a big one. My parents did more experiences as rewards for being good then money. So for example good report cards they would take us to the beach for the weekend or out to a nice restraunt or the science museum or zoo. I always enjoyed experiences more then money.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

I said yes. My dd get's allowance every week if she does her chores. I feel that it teaches her that you have to earn your money. She has also told me that it has shown her how to save money and respect it. When she said that I was like wow. But every person has different ways of doing things. What works for one household may not work for another.

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I also said yes. I think the kids value their money more when they "earn" it. At least my kids do.

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I'm surprised that some give allowance on behavior. Isn't that a bribe? You behave and you will get money? Unlike doing a job and earning the money for doing something for the household.
I would rather take away special things for bad behavior instead of rewarding for behavior they should be doing anyway.

What are your thoughts on this?

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

I said yes as well. My kids get $1/week for doing nothing and I am ok with that, because they are typically "good kids" and I don't mind giving them $1/week. However, they would like more fun money to spend and also be able to save money towards something that may be pricey without feeling discouraged that it will take MONTHS to save it at $1/week, lol. So fiance and I have been talking about upping it to $3-$5/week, but chores will be added in as well. Just expected things like taking out the garbage, putting clothes away, helping with dishes, cleaning out pet cage, etc.

I'm pretty bad about enforcing rules re: kids picking up after themselves, so a higher allowance may be a more external motivation for them. (I totally take the blame for not following through on making sure they get done what they're supposed to. They're kids. They're supposed to slack off when they can get away with it. lol)

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Carly
SAHM to:
DS Levi (9)
DD Abbey (7)

Our oldest has 5 things she needs to do to earn her allowance. She has learned how to save money up for something special that she spots at the store. She saved up for her Hannah Montana dolls. I think also if they earned the money to purchase the toy they treat them better from my experience anyways. I guess in my line of thinking it helps to teach them responsiblity and the value of money.