Should parents work for free when their children play sports?
Published
In Norway, parents are expected to help out when their children take part in leisure activities. This applies especially to sports, but also to other organised activities for children and young people. Parents may, for example, bake waffles, wash kits, drive children to matches, or work at the kiosk during events.
This voluntary effort is often called dugnad. Dugnad is an important part of Norwegian culture, and many clubs depend on parents stepping up. Clubs often have little money, and the work would be difficult to carry out if no one did it without payment.
Many parents who have moved to Norway from other countries see this as something new. In many countries it is common for coaches and other staff to be paid to look after the children, and parents do not expect to contribute in the same way. Therefore, it can be hard to understand why they must spend time on tasks at the club, in addition to work and family life.
Some feel that the expectations can be too high, especially for parents who work a lot or have little contact with others in the local community. Others believe that dugnad creates community and helps parents get to know one another. The debate is therefore about time, economy, and what a good community is.
It may be useful for new families that clubs explain clearly what is expected of them. In this way, both Norwegian and immigrant parents can know what they are committing to when their children start at a club.
Sources: ScienceNordic
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