Some people consider chores to be a bad thing. When in reality, they're not that bad. After reading The Case Against Chores, by Jane Smiley, I have to say that I disagree with her perception of chores. Ms. Smiley states that the reason for the tasks is to “develop good work habits or, in the absence of good work habits, at least work habits” (Smiley, 2009, p. 274). However, housework teaches us things like responsibility and how to go above and beyond what might be asked of us. When I was a kid, I did a lot of housework and had to grow up a little faster than some kids, but I wouldn't change that for anything. It shaped me into the adult I am today. Therefore, housework, to some extent, is a great way to start you on the path to preparing yourself for adulthood. What exactly is the purpose of housework? The purpose of housework is to teach us responsibility, how to contribute, and how to go above and beyond what is asked of us. For example, one of my daughter's chores is to keep her room clean; and take care of his affairs. I know that if she can keep her room clean and take care of her things, then she will be more responsible for more expensive things later. Another of his tasks is to help pick up his belongings. You might say that's stupid. Is it really a chore? Yes! This will help teach him how to contribute. Every little bit counts, especially in the rapidly changing world we live in today. I am a working mother/wife who is also in school. I no longer have time to pick up on everyone like before; when I didn't have kids and didn't go to school. So everyone who contributes helps a lot. Ms. Smiley says that "good work is not the work we assign to children... in the middle of a sheet of paper... to children." During this time, the house was clean, but my daughters craved my attention and were not happy. I just had to clean the house and put away every dish before I could play with them. I didn't have my priorities clear. On the other hand, my husband can just let the sink pile up and leave a load of laundry there for days and he doesn't mind. In conclusion, housework teaches us things like responsibility and how to contribute. My daughter will still have her daily chores, and as she gets older, they will likely increase. This will prepare her as she moves closer to being an adult and eventually a wife and mother. However, as parents we need to be careful not to let this get out of hand and remember that they are still children. They need to contribute like everyone else, but they also need to be kids for as long as they can..