Responsibilities

                                                       

I read an interesting article the other day Lack of chores making children irresponsible, claims survey It is about children having less responsibility in the care of their home and families than they used to. It was interesting to read that over the past few decades, children's chores and expectations have changed a lot! Even more interesting, the article says, less or no household chores make children LESS responsible. Wow. Really?

"Until the 1980s, staff at parenting magazines and parents who wrote in agreed that chores helped children develop empathy and a desire to contribute to the well-being of others, she said. Between the 1930s and 1970s, adolescent and pre-adolescent children were expected to plan menus, shop and prepare meals for the family. They were given responsibility for tasks including nursing sick family members, keeping household accounts, decorating or even helping to maintain the family car.

By the end of the article, it is suggested that parents give their children more responsibilities that are not bribed or paid to be done. Instead, use it as a time for families to bond, for children to be praised for their efforts and to learn. Here is one list of things students your age can be expected to do at home: 9 Year Old Chore List

So, naturally I am curious. Do you have chores or responsibilities at home that are more than doing homework? Do your siblings have some as well? Do you do them together? Do you get paid for them or is it expected? How do you feel about them - do they make you a better person? :)

~ die Herzogin