In thinking being a SAHM is work?

[morepizza]

Work is defined as:

noun
noun: work; plural noun: works; plural noun: the works
1 1. 
activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

I think this includes SAH parental duties. I know a lot of people don't agree with me. What else would it be called?

I think being a SAHP is hard work, but it's not considered 'work' generally because it doesn't pay.
It's the hardest job I've ever had though!

By that definition going to the gym is work.

Whether being a SAH parent is technically work or not isn’t that important. It’s absolutely a valuable use of time.

Depends what age the children are. If they're out all day and you have a cleaner then no. If they're at home and you're up to your eyeballs in dirty washing and toddler pen on walls then yes.

@NeverMetANiceOne

I think being a SAHP is hard work, but it's not considered 'work' generally because it doesn't pay. It's the hardest job I've ever had though!

Being paid isn't in the definition though

@PurpleDaisies

By that definition going to the gym is work.

Whether being a SAH parent is technically work or not isn’t that important. It’s absolutely a valuable use of time.

It is a workout I suppose

It's work but not a job

It's not a job, which is what "work" is often used for. But you could go and do some "work" in the garden, which being a SAHP would also be "work".

Is ‘going for a run’ working, then?!

What else would it be called?

It doesn’t need to be called anything else. Being a SAHP explains what it is.

It's not paid work or a job etc. So I don't personally regard it as being 'work' in that sense. Doesn't mean it isn't worthy or deserving of equal respect though.

Yes it's work because if you outsource it to a childcare provider, that's also definitely called work.

As PPs have said, it's not an actual job though.

What is the work part? I’m a parent but I work outside the home - am I working because I’m a parent even when I’m not at home?

Is there someone telling you that it isn't work?
I do find being a parent hard work, but it was also a choice I made. I didn't chose to need to work in exchange for money.

I don't consider raising my family or doing chores in the house to be 'work' in the same way as having a job.

@Shirleyphallus

It’s work but it isn’t a job or a career. It’s also a real luxury to be able to dick around from home looking after children than the mental graft of a proper job

WTF! Wow.

Yes people 'work in their garden' at the weekend 'go for a workout' 'work on their water colourskills for their hobby, they do 'housework' they do life admin which sounds very official

Childwork doesnt seem to have become a word.

@MildredPuppy

Yes people 'work in their garden' at the weekend 'go for a workout' 'work on their water colourskills for their hobby, they do 'housework' they do life admin which sounds very official

Childwork doesnt seem to have become a word.

Childwork is perfect! Or Familywork!

It is work. Hard work. It isn't a job. Although if you're a registered carer for your child it's a shittly paid job.

OP-why does it need to be renamed? Being a SAHM is already a thing.

@Shirleyphallus

It’s work but it isn’t a job or a career. It’s also a real luxury to be able to dick around from home looking after children than the mental graft of a proper job

I'm still agog that this poster thinks raising children doesn't require mental graft. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@Shirleyphallus

It’s work but it isn’t a job or a career. It’s also a real luxury to be able to dick around from home looking after children than the mental graft of a proper job

Um.. what?

Of course it is.

It's a series of tasks.

It's not employment.

But work doesn't only mean activity that generates income.

When you're in the garden digging over the flower beds, that's working. When you're taking care of your kids all day, that's working. When you're taking care of other people's kids all day for money, that's employment, also working.

I have no idea why some people get outraged by the idea that the word work has a wider meaning than employment.

I’m not trying to be antagonistic but why does it need a label? Is someone challenging how much you’re doing at home?
Tbh sometimes it’s easier but usually I’m desperate to go back to work for a break after a couple of days with a toddler
I don’t consider my school age one work though so i guess it depends

Childwork is perfect!

On what basis? People know what a SAHM does. There’s no need for a new word. Plus, wouldn’t childwork turn into adultwork when you grow up? I’m not sure that has good connotations.

It's different from employment but it's certainly work for most people. I guess technically you could employ a host of cleaners or just keepyour house a mess and let the kids watch TV all day but doing a decent job of it does require emotional, physical and mental effort.