Routine Household Chores in Gratitude Development in Children

Abstract

Engaging children in household chores tends to be considered either as a way for the development of family obligations or as an impediment to children's academic performances, but few relate it to gratitude development in children. This chapter taps into the unique function of routine household chores as a vital means in developing gratitude in children, which plays a key role for an affective family bond between parents and their children. Engagement in routine household chores enables children to habitualise the consciousness that there are no rights and benefits in existence without associated obligations. This consciousness contrasts with the hedonistic disposition of human beings. Only from feeling gratitude towards parents for earlier sacrifices will a child develop a sense of social justice leading to a long-term grateful disposition, that is, a character trait of gratitude.