Plastic, plastic everywhere, credit cards have burst onto the high school scene with new strength. Renewed by the need for freedom from parental cash handouts, however, it is this same freedom that gets thousands of young people and adults in trouble.

Credit cards, the bane of modern existence, have invaded the hallways of high school. It seems that kids today have no understanding for the value of dollar, or money in general. One survey of college students reported, in the May 7, 2001 Washington Post, that of the 60 percent that use credit cards, only 20 percent could tell what the phrase "buying on credit," means. 

The credit card usage at Mason is divided into three distinct categories between students with their own cards, using their own money. Either student possess cards they finance themselves, parents give students occasional access to their own cards, or students who have cards in their name from their parent’s account. 

"My parents got me a card that I can use whenever I want, I get an allowance so this way they keep track of everything I buy or spend money on," said junior Meghan Baer.

"I have a Mastercard that I use to pay for gas and my car, but I pay for what I spend, unlike some people, with the money I make from work," said senior Kenny Lasso. 

Cash, legal tender for debts public and private is slowly being replaced by massive credit accumulation. For years banks and other credit companies have mass-marketed their services on college campuses, by sponsoring events geared at young people who have not developed their spending habits, nor any credit history. According to a survey by Teen Research Unlimited, cited in May 7^th Washington Post found that 37 percent of 18-19 year old have credit cards in their own name. The credit service companies are now in a new market for underage credit sales, high school. 

For many companies, such as the tobacco industry, high school is marketing Mecca. Now credit companies have high schools and underage solicitations are becoming common place, with minors being offered cards of often more than $1,000 spending limits, no questions asked. 

"Personally, it’s more convenient if I want to buy something. I don’t have to ask my parent for money every time I decide to buy something," said senior Hunter Gray.

The invasion of credit cards is not new. For many students, credit cards, like the ubiquitous automobile, are a symbol of freedom from the restrictions of the household. 

"I think that there are lots of good reasons for kids to have a credit card, especially when they start driving. My son got a credit card for emergencies when he got his car," said guidance secretary Janet Alexiou. " He never did use it in an emergency situation, but we agreed that he would pay for everything on the credit card with his own money," said Alexiou.