In the Fall l998 American Educator, Geoffrey Canada wrote the article Work. I agreed with Mr. Canada that is important to expose children to work. Mr. Canada, the author of the book Reaching Up for Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America ,is president of the New York-based Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families. He believes that boys are especially at high risk today because society is not providing children with opportunities to do hard work as society had done in the past. At his Centers, Canada provides jobs for young people. In return , he expects punctuality, good attendance, a good attitude, respect for authority and good grades in school from all his employees or the the young worker is fired. He feels that it is paramount that we reconnect our young people to the world of work. He felt that he learned about work while helping his grandparents landscape their yard when he was a young boy. He feels learning how to work early on in life is important for all children because it teaches them values and ethics. It was easy to agree with Canada. Today, I think we want to keep our children happy. We are afraid of hurting childrens self esteems. We give our young children toys to entertain themselves and we organize their play. Children have few expectations or opportunities to do household chores or to work cooperatively with others to get work done. Children are not expected to do hard work or to even finish work. And as parents we quickly make excuses for our childrens behaviors. I think this article shows the important of giving children jobs at an early age. Jobs teach children not only how to work but punctuality, good attendance and respect for authority. And these are the skills needed by children to get good grades and to be successful in school.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 1999

Answers

Hi Linda! This sounds like an interesting article. I agree that children need have some responsibilites at home so they can begin to experience good work ethics. I think that if reasonable expectations are set for children they will benefit greatly from helping out. I also think it can be done in a fun, enjoyable way. Families can work together and share tasks. I think if parents stay positive about the chores, stick to their expectations and suppport their children they can develop good workers. Children should also know why they are doing something so they can understand the meaning behind the work. I do think that a good work ethic can begin to develop at an early age as long as there is some fun and freedom to go with it!

-- Anonymous, January 27, 1999

I agree with the article "Work", by Goeffrey Cananda, in that children should have responsibilities around the house or neighborhood. This can either be in the form of a job where there is pay, like mowing the lawn for $10.00 or it can be in the form of community service. then the lawn of a neighbor would be mowed free of charge. I believe this begins the building of a work ethic.

However, I would like to also add this is as important for girls as it is for boys. Though Canada feels it is more detrimental to boys. In this day and age it is difficult to raise a family on one income, women are needed in the wrokforce also.

ThoughIi disagree that parents are not giving/letting their children work because of self-esteem issues, though this may have merit in some families. I believe children don't "work" because of the amount of time it takes to let children "work". Parents needs to be reminded that "work" is an important tool in developing their work ethics. As children grow into teens I don't think they have as much time to work, especailly out side of the home. They have homework and extra-curricular activities which parents see as more important then work. I believe work is very important and have already told my daughter that she will have a job at the age of 16. Of course she is only three now, but we have to start sometime.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 1999