Hi! I just want to get some multi-cultural perspective from IMs (like myself) regarding having her very young kid to "work".
I have been planning to get my son a "job" ( delivering small leaflets here in my neighbourhood) since he was small. He's gonna be 7 in a few months, and I want to give him this job as a birthday present. I came from a culture wherein children are taught responsibility, perseverance and hard work at a very young age, sometimes to contribute financially. BUT in my case, I just want to instil these values (since the pay is really small, like $20+ a week) and my husband and I will be supervising him during delivery all the time for safety reasons. He's our only child so yes, you can imagine how protective we are of him. I guess I am a bit clueless as to how kids are generally raised here in our country (we're migrants, just a year old) and I humbly would read your opinions about this matter. I have been observing teenagers here and I was a bit shocked but I'm keeping an open mind. Honestly, I still want to keep the good values (great respect to everyone specially the elders, perseverance, valuing things other people does, etc) I grew up with and there's this little fear that if I instil these values to my son, He'll feel different or left out.
Please don't take this as something negative. Not all the things I saw from the different people I met here are bad,actually I have seen lots of good things as well! I am just concerned as to how
I can raise a boy to a man in a multi-cultural environment.
Thank you very much!
9 Replies
You would need to check out the child labour laws before having your son do this. In some states employing someone under the age of 13 is illegal.
You can teach good work ethics, perseverance in other ways other than having formal employment. My parents did that for me by having expectations regarding school grades (it's pretty much expected that your child will need some university/tafe/ apprenticeship once they finish high school so having high grades counts). We also had extra curricular activities, mine was ballet (it definitely takes hard work and technical ability to make it as a dancer) for some kids that might be music, sport etc.
Most kids here have chores to do around the family home.
I think geberally we want our kids to have fun and believe there is plenty of time for jobs later.
I don't know of anyone who got a job before there mid teens.
Although we appear to live in a laid back/priveledged manner majority of our kids turn into hard working adults.
There is no reason why you can't instill those values in your child (respect for elders etc) in fact most of us do but just like in ALL countries there are people who don't.
It can be illegal to "force" a minor to work, and pretty sure it is illegal to have him work for a company delivering papers (I assume you will be telling the company that you will be the one doing it?). I think the only time it is considered legal if it is considered a family business and/or if they are just doing volunteer work. However I don't think it's such a bad idea if A) you will be keeping an eye on him 2) He somewhat enjoys doing it. I'm a little hesitant to agree with you because he's only 7, he's still so young and innocent and at this age shouldn't he still be able to just enjoy playing before life gets too serious and full of hard work and responsibilities? Have you thought about something a little less like just having him do chores around the house? And waiting for him to get a paid job at 15. He can still be taught hard work at 15
I think it's kind if ironic that people in this country donate money and campaign for child labour to be stopped in other countries.
I think it is a great idea. It will teach him responsibility and money management. I think you need to be prepared to do it yourself when he can't / wont but there's nothing at all wrong with a 7yr old having a 'paper run' I was helping my mum deliver pamphlets at that age and I have a really strong work ethic and good budget skills. I say go for it
No he shoulDnt work And it is illegal. focus on his education, and give him that gift to set him up for his future. EncoUrage diligence and perseverance in this area and you will set him up for a positive future. I know lots of people who go so far as to support their children financially through university, asking only that thpm
eir job is to be committed in their education.
If you believe in hard work, many parents start pocket money. It's household jobs / chores and when their list is done weekly they are paid by yoU. Make sure it's not overworked, you can research age appropriate chores for a seven year old, things like making their bed, folding washing, washing dinner disheS, maybe vacuum house on the weekenD. This can really help you reach about work and responsibilities as well as budgetting and finance ( age appropriately)
It's a great idea to instill theirs sorts of things into our children at a young age but I think you will run into trouble having a child this young work perhaps giving him some chores around the house to earn some money.
Everyone that says that employing a minor is illegal is false. There are conditions and restrictions that vary state to state but it is not illegal to employ a minor with parental permission/supervision
http://www.lawstuff.org.au/nsw_law/topics/employment/article4
7 is too young for work. get him to help you at home and install some home values in him first. Here in Australia kids don't work at the age of 7. they are more encourage to do after school sports or sports on the weekend. It can also be music lesson if that is what your child likes. Spend time with him, invite people/friends from his school to your house on the weekend so he can have some fun and be just like his friends. Kids should not be working at the age of 7. You may be doing more harm than good if you think that way. Wait till your child is of legal age 14 years to get a job until then just love him and take him to the park.
I was born here in Australia but agree a lot of young people seem to have been raised deferent from the way I was. My husband and I have "old school" values and will be raising our children with those values as well. I see a lot of people saying your child is to "young" for a job, but I think if you are planning on doing it as a family then that's a wonderful idea. The way I see it is you will be teaching your child responsibility while getting out in the fresh air and spending time together, something a lot of families seem to miss out on these days! Well done! I'd also put that $20 away for when the child is older!