Cynthia Shannon asked Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney:

Do you think parents 'owe' it to their children to leave them an inheritance? What would be the argument against leaving children any money at all (or is that too cruel?). What about kids that don't have any money to inherit?

Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney First of all, nice name! I think parents owe their children many things: love, support, shelter, food, education -- but not money and certainly not an inheritance. When I was growing up my parents always told us that when they died and we didn't inherit any money (because there wouldn't be any!) that we should take out all the photo albums of all the trips we took over the years and know THAT was our inheritance. Happily my parents are still alive and healthy but I'd much rather have those memories than a check. I grew up in a solidly middle-class environment and the idea of an "inheritance" or "trust fund" was something I thought happened only books or movies. Then I moved to New York City and discovered it was a real thing! I don't think most people in the US do inherit money. I guess if you're lucky enough to have money to help make your children's lives easier and you want to, that's great. But, no -- I don't think it's part of your responsibility as a parent.

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