Unpaid work facts for kids

Unpaid work is when people do tasks or jobs without getting paid money for them. This kind of work is very common and important in many parts of our lives. It's different from a regular job where you get a salary or wages.

What is Unpaid Work?

Unpaid work means helping out or doing tasks without receiving money. People do this for many reasons. It can be for their family, their community, or to learn new skills.

Types of Unpaid Work

There are several ways people do unpaid work:

• Household Chores: Many kids and adults do chores at home, like cleaning, cooking, or taking care of younger siblings. This helps the family but isn't paid.
• Volunteering: People often volunteer their time to help charities or community groups. They might help at an animal shelter, clean up a park, or assist at a local event. They do this because they want to help others or support a cause they believe in.
• Learning and Training: Sometimes, students or young adults take on internships or apprenticeships. They work to gain experience and learn new skills in a real job setting. Even if they don't get paid, the experience is valuable for their future careers.
• Caring for Others: Many people spend a lot of time caring for family members who are sick, elderly, or have special needs. This care is vital but often goes unpaid.

Unpaid work, especially caring for others, is often done by women and girls around the world.

Why is Unpaid Work Important?

Unpaid work is super important for families and communities. It helps homes run smoothly and supports many services that make our towns better places to live. Without volunteers, many charities and community projects wouldn't be able to exist.

It also helps people learn and grow. Internships, for example, give young people a chance to try out a career and build their skills before they even start a paid job.

Unpaid Work vs. Forced Labor

It's important to know that unpaid work is usually done by choice. People choose to help their families, volunteer, or take an internship.

This is very different from forced labor. Forced labor is when someone is made to work against their will. This might happen to people who are prisoners or, in the past, to people who were enslaved. In forced labor, people have no choice and are often treated very unfairly. Unpaid work, however, is a choice to contribute without expecting money.

Images for kids

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  Infographic of statistics on unpaid care in England

See also

In Spanish: Trabajo no remunerado para niños