Why Don't Kids Do Chores Anymore?

Career Journal ^ | July 01, 2005 | Jeff Opdyke

[fgoodwin]

When I was growing up, I spent many summer days struggling to shove a bulky Toro mower through the thick mat of grass that was my yard. That was my main weekly chore. I pushed that same mower around the neighborhood with my buddy, Mike, hawking lawn-cutting services for $10 a yard.

I've noticed something peculiar while driving around town in recent weeks: Though it's summer, I've yet to see a single kid out mowing a lawn. I don't see any kid-produced signs offering mowing services. I see teams of lawn-maintenance workers neatly tending yards...but no kids.

[fgoodwin]

Guilty as charged -- I mowed lawns as a kid, now I don't even ask my 12-yo son to help me, because he wants to be paid for it.

[martin_fierro]

Please.

Then what work would be left for the Illegals?

< /s >

[evad]

Parents too lazy!

[patton]

My kids mowed my lawn this morning - and they do get paid.

I feed them.

[nickcarraway]

Allo= along, we didn't realize kids were stealing jobs from undocumented immigrants.

[Incorrigible]

Yeah! Like when me and my buddies went around shoveling snow from neighbors' walks and driveways.

Where are those kids now when I need them?!

[McLynnan]

Actually, that's a common complaint of teenage boys here in Texas. Those who want to earn extra $$ in the summer find all the jobs are taken by mom & pop illegal landscape crews. The trucks pull up carrying 4-5 illegals, a rider, a push mower, a weedeater and blower -- for $25 the entire yard is done in ten minutes. Seems to lend some credence to an article posted here yesterday stating U.S. homeowners are the largest employers of illegals.

[pennboricua]

They would rather not take charge of family life, growing up I remember a family chore list, from dishwashing to grasscutting
everyone had a task to do, now the only task required from Johnnny is his extracurricular activities,

[ncountylee]

Competition was fierce from the other neighborhood kids when I was growing up and I always earned a few bucks but not from my folks. Those were chores not jobs.

[nbenyo]

we're raising a generation of lazy, spoiled whiny brats. The illegals see this which is why they have little respect for us.

[johnandrhonda]

I mowed for $2.00 per yard. In Mississippi. In the summer. It was St. Augustine grass.

[bad company]

Kids come round my neiborhood looking to mow peoples yards. Dumped my old riding lawnmower on one of them. Sure their parents are pleased.

[bad company]

Kids come round my neiborhood looking to mow peoples yards. Dumped my old riding lawnmower on one of them. Sure their parents are pleased.

[kenth]

You need snow shoveled? It's almost May. Where in the heck do you live?

[cmsgop]

My friend volunteered as a Chaperon for a 3 day event and the 3 girls she was in charge of refused to do any cabin duties whatsoever.

[jocon307]

"...now I don't even ask my 12-yo son to help me, because he wants to be paid for it."

What would be wrong with giving him a few bucks for doing chores? And if he already gets an allowance, he's been paid in advance.

[R.W.Ratikal]

Now, now, let's be fair. Many of the chores we did as kids growing up are no longer jobs that need to be done. Those that remain are often done in a matter of a little time.

If they cut the lawn, it's on a riding lawnmower. If they run errands around the neighborhood, it's in a BMW. They can't wash dishes because the dishwasher does that job.

Not being an agriculture society anymore there are no outside chores such as feeding the chickens, sloping the hogs, gathering the eggs, driving in the cows for milking etc.

They don't need to clean up their rooms because the cleaning lady comes every Wednesday. The car is washed at the gas station automatic washer.

Let's face it, kids have it easier, and we're jealous.

[Andy from Beaverton]

Hey! Don't bother me, I almost got high score!

[evad]

zakly!

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Seems to lend some credence to an article posted here yesterday stating U.S. homeowners are the largest employers of illegals.

Who buys low-priced goods manufactured in China and puts Americans out of work?

Who hires illegal day laborers putting teenagers and other American small businesses out of work?

Who drives up the cost of a gallon of gasoline?

The same culprit.....the American consumer!

Buy American and hire American..........or shut your piehole about the cost of gas!!