FINANCIAL LITERACY LEVEL OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ITS ECONOMIC PATTERNS REFLECTIONS

Abstract

This study contributes to the understanding of the level of financial literacy of high school students in Israel. The research purpose is to describe the level of financial literacy among high school students in Israel aged 15-18 and to examine the implications that financial literacy has on their economic behaviour patterns. The study examines the different relationships between financial knowledge, attitudes and economic behaviour of students with different demographic characteristics. The working thesis of the paper is that the low educational level of students in the field of personal finance poses risks in their effective management in the future. One of the conclusions drawn from this finding is that students may need to have an additional toolbox, knowledge, and basic skills to cope with the new economic environment of the day. In addition, it is clear from the findings that a student's attitudes and beliefs have some influence on his / her financial knowledge and ability to solve financial issues, and have a greater impact on the adolescent's economic behaviour. The contribution is to the understanding that emphasis should be placed on financial education programs at school to provide tools to help students overcome psychological and emotional barriers, enhance a student's perception of competence, and teach him / her to avoid satisfaction and demonstrate self-discipline. This combination of providing cognitive and noncognitive tools may raise the level of financial literacy of high school students in Israel and remain with them for a period.