Erziehung zum Vermögen – Vermögen zum Erziehen

In his lecture „Education for Wealth – Wealth for Education“ (2021), Prof. Dr Heiko Kleve explains how children and young people in affluent entrepreneurial families are shaped by their upbringing and socialisation. The focus is on the question of what impact a privileged financial situation can have on the thoughts, feelings and actions of the next generation.

The lecture demonstrates that wealth is viewed with mixed feelings in entrepreneurial families: it can be seen as an obligation, an opportunity to shape one’s life and an expression of responsibility, whilst at the same time triggering feelings of shame, insecurity, a burden or awe. Prof. Dr Heiko Kleve makes it clear that it is not only conscious upbringing but, above all, socialisation through example that is crucial – in other words, the way parents and other significant adults model behaviour when dealing with wealth.

A key focus is on fostering an interest in entrepreneurship and a fiduciary mindset amongst the next generation. The article highlights that wealth can be sustainable only if it is understood not merely as possession, but as a responsibility spanning generations. The talk thus offers valuable insights for entrepreneurial families who wish to guide their children and young people thoughtfully towards an understanding of wealth, property and responsibility.