Domestic labour and the 'priceless' child

Pavla Miller (2005) noted that in societies like ours, most children have 'a firm sense of entitlement to the time, resources and unpaid labour of their parents'. Miller argued that 'daily skirmishes' over housework that take place in families are an arena in which childhood is negotiated, and the roles of parents and children are defined. How this actually happens in families is not visible in most research about domestic labour. This paper reports initial findings from a qualitative study that examines in detail the dynamic of negotiation that Miller identified. Few participants questioned the idea that kids should be entitled to receive domestic service from their parents. Children attributed an obligation to provide domestic service in general to 'parents', but in detail and in practice to their mothers. One child said clearly that he should be entitled to give his participation in school and leisure activities priority over any involvement in domestic tasks, while his mother has an obligation to place performance of domestic tasks ahead of her participation in work or study. Findings from the study indicate that the relations of entitlement and obligation described by Miller are alive and well among the families of tertiary-educated parents in Melbourne.