The study, based on responses from nearly 6000 parents across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, found that just 44 percent of 14 to 15 year olds participate in cleaning tasks at home.
However, children in London stood out as an exception, taking on significantly more household responsibilities than their peers in other parts of the country.
London Children Lead the Way
The report revealed that children in London are twice as likely to take out the bins compared with youngsters in Yorkshire, the South West, the North East, and the East of England.
They also ranked highest nationwide for washing dishes, with 50 percent of London parents saying their children regularly cleaned pots and pans. This was a sharp contrast to much lower participation rates elsewhere, especially in the North East.
Jason Elsom, CEO of Parentkind, warned that declining participation in chores could have long term consequences:
“Half of children under 15 no longer doing chores should worry us. Somewhere along the way, gentle parenting has been misread as gentle expectations, and kindness without accountability sells children short.
Chores are not punishment; they are the first lessons in teamwork, responsibility, and self reliance.”
Impact of Income on Household Responsibilities
The survey found a clear link between household income and the likelihood of children contributing to chores:
- In families earning over £100000 annually, 52 percent of parents said their children helped lay the table.
- In lower income households, this figure dropped to 37 percent.
- Washing dishes and cleaning were also more common in wealthier homes.
American economist Emily Oster from Brown University called the findings “surprising” and suggested that parenting styles and value based approaches could explain the gap:
“Higher income parents may see more value in having their children complete house chores, not because the work is needed, but because it teaches a set of values and life skills.”
Generational and Cultural Shifts
Child therapist Saskia Joss, author of Help! My Child’s Anxiety is Giving Me Anxiety, linked the decline in chores to broader generational changes in parenting:
“Parenting in the Nineties became more about equality between parents and children, aiming to make kids’ lives easier. Asking them to do chores did not really fit with that goal.”
Joss also noted a shift away from pocket money for chores, which was once common but has declined in the UK. However, digital platforms like GoHenry are reviving the trend by allowing children to earn money for completing household tasks, combining financial literacy with responsibility.
Why London Is Different
According to Joss, London’s high levels of participation in chores could be linked to smaller living spaces, which make tidiness a greater necessity:
“In London, where homes are often smaller, clutter is more obvious, so children are more likely to be asked to help.”
She also highlighted the influence of London’s diverse immigrant culture, where many families bring traditions of shared household responsibilities.
