Ben Affleck talks $6,000 sneakers and the importance of work ethic for his kids
Shreeaa Rathi | Apr 25, 2025, 18:38 IST
Hollywood actor Ben Affleck shared his parenting views. He spoke about teaching his children the value of hard work. An incident involving his son Samuel and expensive sneakers highlighted his approach. Affleck encourages his older children to work. He wants them to understand financial responsibility. He also mentioned his friendly Spanish language competition with his daughter Violet.
Ben Affleck's approach to parenting his children, especially when it comes to materialism, recently made headlines after a viral moment involving his son, Samuel, and a pair of expensive sneakers. The actor shared his thoughts on parenting, work ethic, and the importance of setting boundaries for his kids during a recent appearance on Jenna & Friends.
The incident that caught attention occurred when Samuel, 13, showed interest in buying a pair of Dior Air Jordan 1 sneakers at a sneaker convention. Priced at a staggering $6,000, the shoes seemed out of reach for the young boy—especially considering the hefty price tag. Affleck humorously responded, saying, "That's a lot of lawns you gotta mow there." As the story goes, Samuel walked away from the purchase, much to the actor’s amusement.
Affleck continued the conversation on TODAY, recounting how Samuel tried to convince him that they had enough money for the shoes. "He goes, ‘We have the money.’ I was like, ‘I have the money. You’re broke!’” Affleck said with a laugh. While the situation started with humor, Affleck took the opportunity to discuss a more serious lesson.
The actor, who is known for his role in the upcoming Accountant 2, emphasized the importance of setting boundaries as a parent. “You love your kids, you want to give them everything and do anything for them,” he said. “But at the same time, you’re doing them a disservice if you don’t set boundaries.”
Affleck shared that he encourages his children to understand the value of hard work. His two older children, Violet, 19, and Fin, 16, both have jobs. Violet, currently a freshman at Yale University, is working while trying to secure a summer internship, while Fin holds a more traditional teenage job in a store. Affleck explained that these experiences help his kids learn the value of earning their own money and making thoughtful financial decisions.
As for Samuel, Affleck joked that his son was “reckoning with that reality” as he looked at his closet, which didn't contain the high-end sneakers he had hoped for. "He got shoes, just not like crazy, expensive fancy shoes," Affleck said. "Well, if you want that, you can work 1,000 hours at minimum wage—and if you work 1,000 hours, you might not want to spend it on a pair of shoes."
Aside from parenting, Affleck also shared a personal connection with his daughter Violet, revealing that they both speak Spanish. Affleck, who studied the language at the University of Vermont, enjoys friendly competition with Violet over their Spanish skills. "She will tell me that hers is better than mine,” he laughed, adding, “And I’m glad that I get the chance to be on national television and just claim victory!”
Through this candid conversation, Affleck offered valuable insights into his parenting style and the lessons he imparts to his children. While he acknowledges the temptations of wealth, he firmly believes in the importance of instilling a strong work ethic and setting realistic expectations. His approach reflects the balance many parents strive to find—offering love and support while also preparing their children for the realities of life.