[phaedrus]

Or both. Most times it gets paid back, but twice a year something falls through and the parents can't pay it back. The child is industrious / saver / works an after school job and manages to save about $200 every six months, but can never build up a long term balance. It's one of the things that can make growing up in a family in poverty feel like trying to escape a gravity well.

I've seen this play out over couple years between my younger brother (after I'd moved out) and my parents. I see the pattern repeat with my sister and her son. He, my nephew (13), stayed with my wife and me over Christmas. He said he had been making money with after school jobs and hoped to be able to save enough for a car when he's 16, but wasn't sure if that was going to be possible because his Mom and step Dad have to borrow (or "borrow") money from him every month.

I didn't tell him yet but I decided there that in 2 or 3 years I'm going to start fixing up a good 1st car for him.