Certain parenting tactics could lead to materialistic attitudes in adulthood

[Jack]

From the "no shit, Sherlock" department:

Rewarding or punishing children using gifts can lead to financial and marital problems

[ASquared]

Thanks for sharing. Yet another reiteration of the importance of instilling intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation in your children - for all things in life.

[MrsPete]

We've always tried to walk a fine line between rewarding good behavior . . . and encouraging an attitude of entitlement.  For example, when they were little, if both kids brought home good report cards, we'd go out to eat -- their choice, which was almost always Pizza Hut.  When they earned a big award in Girl Scouts or did something big in church youth group, their daddy often brought them flowers from the grocery store.  Small rewards, "right sized" rewards. 

You can go too far in not acknowledging children's accomplishments -- yes, even things that are "expected" like passing your grade in school.  Just as you can be overly generous in rewarding those accomplishments, which can definitely inhibit development of internal motivation.

[RootofGood]

Here's how I look at it:

1. You do well in elementary school, I give you a few bucks for A's.
2. You do well in high school, your college will give you a few thousand bucks for A's
3. You do well in your career, your boss gives you a few thousand dollars raise and/or bonus

That's just how the world works from my POV.  Doing well is instrumentally valuable to get you rewarded and promoted.  Letting kids learn that when they are young isn't necessarily a bad thing. 

I think the article hits a home run here:

"It's OK to want to buy things for your children, but remember to encourage them to be grateful for all the people and things they have in their lives," Chaplin said. "Each time children express their gratitude, they become more aware of how fortunate they are, which paves the way for them to be more generous and less materialistic. Spend time with your children and model warmth, gratitude and generosity to help curb materialism."

We always try to show our kids how there are so many less fortunate people around them, or people who have opportunity yet squander it.  And that they should be happy having what they have.  Having $200 sneakers or a $500 cell phone (in elementary school) doesn't make you a better person or smarter or nicer.