New Law Would Force Kids To Do Chores Around The House

Against the law to avoid doing chores?

A law that would require the under-18 cohort to do household chores is reportedly under consideration in Spain.

The Child Protection Bill introduced in the Spanish parliament would force kids to do housework among its other provisions.

The law would also compel kids to get off the couch and participate in family life and respect their parents, teachers, and other relatives.

Under the current language of the bill, however, there are no legal penalties for kids who refuse to help out their parents with tasks such as cleaning their room or other mundane work. “That, alas, will be up to the parents. But at least next time little Billy or Sally decide not to wash the dishes or take out the trash, you can tell them they are quite literally breaking the law.”

The measure apparently also requires the kids to do their homework.

According to one study, American kids between the ages of 6 and 12 now do less than half an hour of housework a day.

Apparently child psychologists have also determined that working around the house is a character-building exercise.”If your kids are folding their own laundry then they’re less likely to put their clean clothes in the dirty hamper. If they’re required to sweep under the kitchen table after dinner every night, then they’re likely to be messy eaters. And if they go off to college and move into a dorm, they’ll be more likely to keep their room tidy and their roommate happy.”

On a more serious note, the proposed law in Spain gives minors additional protections against sexual predators.

Given the amount of time kids spend with video games and other electronic devices, do you think a law requiring them to do chores is worthy of consideration in the US? Assuming it’s not a waste of time for lawmakers to even consider, could such a measure actually be enforceable as a practical matter?

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