by Matthew Emma

Created on: June 23, 2009

I vividly remember my late father and the many household chores and projects he was always involved in during my childhood. A weekend never passed by where he wasn't building, fixing or cleaning something. If I was home on any given Saturday or Sunday, I used to dread it because I knew it wouldn't be long before I heard: "you want to help me (fill in the project or chore)."

Every time he'd ask for my assistance, I'd fret, frown and carry-on, while commenting how I felt I deserved to be paid for my efforts. My father's response was simple: you will do it and I wouldn't pay, bribe or reward you for it if the Army National Guard came in and ordered me to. His philosophy dictated that I was a member of the household and, as such, bared a certain responsibility in ensuring it ran smoothly. As I got older, I came to realize he was correct.

Children should not be bribed, paid or rewarded for being members of a household. Parents should instill in their kids the knowledge that running and caring for a home is a complex operation requiring the assistance and cooperation of all its members, including them.

Trying to bribe young people to do simple household chores has the potential to set a very dangerous precedent, leading to a mindset where they feel they should be rewarded for every little thing they do. A "what's in it for me mentality" is not a good thought process for children to possess.

Unfortunately, I have seen people I know bribe and bargain with their kids to get them to execute household chores and other responsibilities. The results have been bad to say the least. Many of these young people have developed serious attitude issues and become incredibly spoiled. To compound matters, once they've profited from bribery, the children require greater "incentive" each time they are asked to take on a task. I have literally seen some of my friends break the bank buying their kids the latest video game system and other perks in an effort to get them to merely take the dog out or clean their rooms.

Giving children, or anyone else, incentives for doing what they are supposed to anyway, are bad values to be teaching. It is important for kids to learn they will face situations where they will be asked to take on unenviable activities they neither want, nor will they paid, rewarded or bribed into doing.

During their professional lives, they will be often be asked to do more than what they get paid to do, but be expected to do it well with no complaints. As these children grow older, they will also have to deal with family obligations that are time consuming, difficult and, most importantly, unrewarding.

Kudos to those parents out there who do not bribe their children in an attempt to get them to accomplish household chores. These wise souls are taking the necessary step in teaching their children the lesson that sometimes they are asked to do things simply because they have to get done.

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