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Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day |
Work it!
“Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” is a very special day when kids are encouraged to go to work with their parents, care-givers, or other grown-ups in order to see what the adult’s job is really all about! In the United States, this neat day is usually observed on the fourth Thursday in April. – In 2009, it will fall on April 23rd!
The “holiday” was first founded in 1993 and was originally called “Take Our Daughters to Work Day.” The idea was to promote that there were many career opportunities for girls, since for a long time there were not as many job options for women. In order to help young girls realize this was no longer the case, grown-ups were encouraged to bring their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and family friends with them to their office or workplace to experience all of the choices!
Since the opportunity was so cool for many young girls and it provided such a good learning experience, many people started to also bring their sons to work on the designated day! In the year 2003, the holiday was officially expanded to include both daughters and sons so that all young people could see the value of getting a good education in order to have lots of career choices when they were older!
But really… on a school day??
You might have already put together that a Thursday is almost always a school day. How can you go to work with your parents if you’re supposed to be at school?!
Don’t worry – the grown-ups who founded this holiday already thought of that! Take Our Daughter and Sons to Work Day is scheduled during the school week because it’s supposed to be an educational experience that teaches the value of why learning is so important! In lots of schools, kids are encouraged to go to work with their mom or dad or other relative instead of coming in to class! Of course, if you are planning to go to work with your parent, you should always check first with your teachers or principal to make sure it’s okay.
Clocking in!
Have you ever been to work with one of the grown-ups you know on this special day? – Find out if you can go this year!
Before you head out for your special day, make a list of things to look for or think about. What is the main duty or task that the grown-up you are with has to take care of? Does this job entail sitting at a desk, talking with lots of people or clients, or knowing how to use any kinds of special equipment? What skills and knowledge would you need to have this same job? Why would you or wouldn’t you want to have this same job when you grow up?
At the end of the day, talk to your parent or grown-up about what you saw, thought, and learned, and makes sure to say “thanks” for the cool opportunity!