I really don't know how to phrase it empathetically, and I know its an unpopular opinion when spoken, but if someone chooses to take on debt they can't afford t

I really don't know how to phrase it empathetically, and I know its an unpopular opinion when spoken, but if someone chooses to take on debt they can't afford then they have to deal with the consequences. What absolutely should be done, though, is to make sure that companies are kept 100% on the hook for their actions. Governments shouldn't bail out banks when they get caught holding an bag full of nothing but bad debt. Student debt for example, shouldn't be treated ant differently from other debt in bankruptcy proceedings. Companies should be legally liable for advertising that misrepresents their products. Ultimately companies advertising debt products or making it easy to sign up isn't forcing anyone's hand. We all make our own decisions, and if that includes signing contracts that we didn't read or understand then I'm not sure what else can be done. With that said, financial literacy and our education system in general are absolutely terrible IMO. I could care less if someone learns integrals in school, or practices dissecting a baby pig in biology class, if they don't learn the basics of how the society we've built works. Kids should learn finances, contracts, and politics above all else. Learn how money works, learn how how our laws and political system works, then if you have time read Shakespeare or play the trumpet. I know I sound arrogant or crass, but these skills are extremely important and seemingly entirely ignored in school. We force most kids to be in school for over a dozen years. It doesn't take nearly that long to learn the few topics I called out. There will be time for biology, the arts, mathematics, history, etc. I'm not saying throw those out, just reprioritize them with an eye towards the world people will actually be in after graduation.