By doing chores, how are children learning responsibility?

Answer 1

It depends on your definition of CHORES.

If you are in agreement with Beau, Rob, or some of the other respondents, who are talking about specific tasks that are either necessary life skills, individual responsibilities or jobs for the purpose of earning money, they are being taught responsibility.

I agree children should be responsible, at realistic ages, for their personal possessions. Their school assignments are their responsibility, as is putting their clothes in the laundry, keeping their rooms tidy,(and NOT by leaving their personal items scattered throughout the house or under the bed, or on the top bunk...etc- all things mine tried...)

I also believe all children should be taught that being part of a family unit means they should be willing to help.

Taking out the garbage, sweeping or vacuuming, doing dishes, occaisionally with a pleasant attitude when ASKED.
A simple "Please take out the garbage" and a "Thank You" when the task is completed will go a long way.

I also think it's our responsibility as parents to teach our children to cook, do laundry, clean etc... by allowing them to help us with these items occaisionally (my personal choice were the rainy days when I knew I was going to hear the "there isn't anything to do song")

If you are in agreement with thisbrit, who apparently gave birth to child laborers, you are producing individuals that will have no childhood. These are often the individuals who reach adulthood and feel they are now entitled to "have fun" and neglect the "responsibilities" that the "chores" were supposed to instill in them.

Childhood is limited, children should not be expected to complete the tasks that the adults in their lives don't want to be responsible enough to do themselves.

Sorry thisbrit but you created these children.
It is Your RESPONSIBILITY to shelter, clothe and feed them, that's parenthood.

Chores are chores.

Responsibility is understanding that you have a duty to do certain things in life, as well as understanding that your behavior and your verbal comments effect not only you but those around you. And you have to accept responsibility for that as well.

Chores don't teach responsibility, Parents teach responsibility (mostly by being responsible and setting a good example)

Answer 2

If children don't learn responsibility as children they won't be responsible as adults. If a child has the job of feeding a dog, then if the child is not responsible for carrying out this job, the dog may die of starvation. If the child is responsible to get his homework into his backpack each morning and does not, who suffers? Not the parent. The child will have to accept the consequences when he or she gets to school. I love the "4R's" response. It really says it all when teachers include this in their curriculum. As an adult, do you want people in government who are not responsible to be deciding how much you will pay in taxes or how much medical care you will get? I don't. Doing chores helps your family Doing chores can give you sense of satisfaction to accomplish something that in the end helps other people who are doing more complex chores that you may not be able to do. If your parent decided not to shop (their responsibility), or pay bills, what would happen to your living environment? Pitch in and do your chores.

Answer 3

I am a retired recently (56 yrs OLD) elem teacher and I taught the 4 R' s and people would always say "what was the 4th R" and I'd say" the most important one !" Responsibility. Think how it applies to the real world. Work ethic. Finish what you start. And more than that, children want to feel like they belong to a family, so when they do chores and without money !! they feel like they belong and are a part of the body of the family

Answer 4

Doing chores and helping around the house IS a responsibility. Every family remember (that isn't a baby) should be somewhat responsible for their own things and a certain part of the collective family chores. When a child is given a task to do they are "responsible" for that task and should see it to completion and do their best.

Answer 5

I would add that, in our house, chores are not getting earned money that the other poster said. Our family does chores for the sake of learning responsibility and work ethic, with much gratitude for being part of a family.

We (husband and wife) feed, clothe, and shelter those kids, so their part is to help with gardening, garbage, laundry, mowing, floors, windows, tub, etc and etc. And we buy second hand if possible to teach recycling/reusing/reducing.

Now I have a big head. Grrr. Shut up and sit down, me.

Answer 6

children learn responsibilities from chores by knowing the importance of a certain chores to be done. they also learn how to start and how to finish a job. lastly, its their responsibility to learn chores because someday now parents, no elders will help them when they have their own family

Answer 7

children learn that doing chores are actions that are meaningful. they will take it seriously, and with care.
for example, when a child learns and sweeps the floor, he/she understands the .. strategy of sweeping the dust together. he/she will know that leaving dust or rubbish around will create inconvenience, and he/she knows that he/she is responsible to make the floor clean.
also, by washing dishes, a child understands that once he/she breaks a plate/bowl, punishment may be at bay, and will then take extra care to wash, clean and dry the dishes.
hope u understand =]

Answer 8

It teaches them how to be self sufficient. A parent cannot send their child out into the world if they don't know how to wash a dish, or do a load of laundry, or even how to run a vacuum. My step kids were like this (they were 18 and 14 when I came into their lives) and it was downright sad that they didn't know how to take care of themselves because their mother did everything for them. Very sad indeed!! As parents it is our responsibility to teach them how to take care of themselves, then they will have the tools necessary to raise their own families.

Answer 9

Paris Hilton has had everything done for her since birth-no demands on her, no responsibility, no accountability...never cleaned her room, took out the garbage, vacuumed the floors.....you take it from there!

Answer 10

By having to take on an assigned job, and being paid for it, they are developing a work ethic.