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Ben Affleck reveals why he is making his ‘broke’ kids work classic teenager jobs with minimum wage

Ben Affleck is in no mood to buy his kids ‘crazy expensive fancy shoes’ because he wants them to know that in order to afford that they need to work.

Updated on: Apr 23, 2025, 18:33:40 IST
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Actor Ben Affleck might have millions in his account, but he is not letting it get to the head of his kids. The actor has come forward to defend his decision to deny his son Samuel's request for a $6,000 sneaker. Also read: Ben Affleck's priceless parenting moment at a sneaker convention is one for the books: ‘I have the money. You’re broke!’

Actor Ben Affleck, right, and his son, left, attend an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors during the first half Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (AP)
Actor Ben Affleck, right, and his son, left, attend an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors during the first half Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (AP)

Ben Affleck defends his actions

While appearing on an episode of Today with Jenna & Friends, the actor and dad of three spoke about his recent viral video where he criticised his teenage son, Samuel, 13, after he asked for $6,000 Dior Air Force Ones. In addition to his son Samuel, Ben, whose net worth is around $150 million, also shares his teenage kids Violet, 19, and Fin, 16, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

Ben said, “He wanted these sneakers, and I was like, 'These sneakers are $6,000, what are you talking about? What are you gonna do, mow lawns? You got $6,000? He was like, "We have the money." I was like, "I have the money! You're broke.”

During the conversation, Ben shared that he 'wants to give them everything' but believes his children 'have to work' for the luxuries.

The actor shared, “You love your kids. You want to give them everything and do everything for them, but I think you definitely do them a disservice by not connecting (if) you want something that you want, you have to work for that. My oldest two have jobs... In fact, one just got a job, the kind of classic teenager working a shop job — I won't say what it is. My older one in college is working and trying to get an internship for the summer. And yeah, my son, who's 13, he's reckoning with that reality right now. He's looking at no shoes in his closet. Well, he's got shoes, just no crazy expensive fancy shoes. And I'm like, "Well, if you want that, you can work 1,000 hours." You know what I mean? Minimum wage. And once you work 1,000 hours, you may not want to spend that on a pair of sneakers.”

More about the shoe incident

During a trip to a sneaker convention in Los Angeles earlier this year with Samuel, the Oscar-winning actor shared a parenting moment. A pair of $6,000 Dior Air Jordan 1s caught Samuel’s eye. When he asked for them, Ben was quick to let him know that he wouldn’t be the one paying. “That’s a lot of lawns you’ve gotta mow there. You just like those because they’re expensive,” Ben told his son. The video went viral on social media.

  • Sugandha Rawal
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sugandha Rawal

    Sugandha Rawal has been writing about entertainment and lifestyle for over 13 years, and if there's one thing that's kept her going, it's a genuine love for storytelling. She completed her graduation in Journalism from the University of Delhi and went on to earn her Master of Media from IP University. Beginning her career in the fast-paced environment of news wire reporting, she learned the art of accuracy, speed, and storytelling under pressure. She later expanded her horizons in print journalism, where she honed her feature-writing skills and developed a keen eye for detail and narrative depth. These days, she's firmly rooted in digital journalism, adapting and evolving with a media landscape that never sits still. Over the years, Sugandha has covered everything from Bollywood and celebrity culture to wellness trends and lifestyle shifts. She enjoys spotting the drama behind headlines, the emotion behind interviews, and the details that others might miss. When she is not chasing the latest entertainment update or lifestyle trend, you will find her observing the cultural shifts that shape the stories we consume every day.Read More

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