Money for Chores: Genius or Disaster?
In many Nigerian homes, children are expected to contribute to household responsibilities through manual work and chores without expecting a financial reward.
Basic household tasks such as washing dishes, tidying bedrooms, or doing laundry are reasonable expectations for children as part of being responsible family members. However, some families have recently adapted to offering small amounts of money or incentives when children complete their assigned chores. This shift has sparked discussions about whether children should be allowed to earn money through their labor at home.
Earlier in my life, I contributed to household chores without expecting any financial reward. My siblings and I rotated tasks like washing dishes after dinner, cleaning the compound, and performing miscellaneous chores for our parents. Occasionally, we received a small gratuity or a piece of candy, but paid chores were rare. Our family aligned with the Nigerian adage that "helping the household is its own benefit," emphasizing the importance of everyone contributing to the family's wellbeing.
However, this outlook is changing in some households. I have friends who rush to the living room after completing weekly errands, expecting to find an allowance or mobile money to spend. Some families even include penalties in the form of fines if chores aren't done to satisfaction. This has transformed household duties into 'paid work' for children rather than family contributions. Some parents claim this approach motivates kids to work harder and appreciate both money and work from an early age.
Critics argue that such rewards may dampen the spirit of service within a family. They worry that household chores could be reduced to pure business transactions, only carried out for personal benefit. Another perspective is that parents already meet their children's needs, so contributing through chores is simply fair. There's concern that paying for every minor task might make children feel entitled rather than fostering a sense of community contribution.
In my opinion, a balance could be struck. Children shouldn't view everything around the home as an opportunity to make money, but occasional incentives for major tasks aren't necessarily harmful. A small reward, such as a token, could be given periodically for consistently meeting responsibilities. The key is helping children understand why contributing is important – not just for rewards, but as a means of maintaining and enhancing family cohesion. As we strive to make work more meaningful and fulfilling, we must also cultivate responsibility and a sense of reward.
The days when children in Nigerian households are left entirely unpaid for chores may be over, but we shouldn't take this trend too far by commodifying all familial responsibilities. The debate over children, chores, and money will undoubtedly continue. Perhaps we can find a middle ground that produces responsible, grateful, and socially conscious children while preserving the essence of family contribution.
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Family value is lost when children expect reimbursement in doing something like being part of the family. Pocket money on odd occasions was rare growing up, change on making purchases for the home was allowed to be spent on a chewing gum or two, we never expected it.
Society changes, when it comes into families one has to be cautious as to how far it is taken. On the other hand parents must never use children as the only ones to clean for them this only works as a whole family unit pull together.
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I completely agree with what you've written.
Thanks for the contribution ma'am
Sure, by paying kid money for doing the dishes, they may learn the value of gainful employment. On the other hand, charging them the same amount, let's say for giving them dinner, will teach them the value of contributing to one's close community (meaning family) free of charge, completely voluntarily, and with a happy smile. Because doing a chore is not only a duty, it's a privilege!
At least this goes for the basic household chores of one's family. Outside of it there may be opportunities to earn money, for example when a lot of snow falls in the Winter, or when a lot of weeds grow everywhere in the Summer. Going through the neighborhood and offering other households to shovel the snow or cut the weeds can be quite lucrative for a kid. But before doing that, they should first shovel the snow in front of their own house... in exchange for no more than an appreciative "Thank you."
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You have brought a balanced view to this discussion, and I agree with you. Personally, I believe children should be taught to do chores in the family without expecting payment. At the same time, parents should use their discretion to reward children once in a while for their contributions.
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Exactly sis. Thanks for the contribution.
Honestly, I don't see a debate here. Why would a kid I feed, cloth, provide shelter and protection expect me to pay him or her for washing dishes or sweeping?
The moment I start paying my kids for doing chores in my house, then they should get ready to pay for all the food they eat as well... including their school fees.. lol
Everyone has their own responsibilities at home and money is just out of it for kids in my opinion...I can gift them something for doing a wonderful job once in a while but payment is a never no biko
Dreemport
In my opinion children shouldn't be compensated financially for home chores because what is their contribution to the family unit? The parents go to work to provide them with the basic necessities.
They have no job or financial contribution or obligation to the home, so doing chores is the closest they can come to being obligated and contribute their own quota to the smooth running of the home.
That is not to say they don't deserve treat but it shouldn't be tag a compensation or be made monetary.
It should be an appreciation which can come in the likes of snacks, allowing them more TV time or play time plus granting them play dates etc.
Ps
Just my 2 cent opinion though.
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