Au Pair History
Au pair program started in Europe soon after the Second World War. The need for childcare was quite big because of women’s emancipation. Working hard in factories during the WW2 while their men were fighting gave them the strength to oppose their traditional role in the family and to get the right to be financially independent. Obviously, this lead to the need of having somebody to take care of kids while the parents were working.
Also thinking in after war terms in Europe was a need of trying to understand each other’s culture to try to avoid any future wars.
There is no need to say more to understand the true mission of the Au pair program although there is no central agency or ruling body to regulate this area.
What actually Au Pair means?
Au Pair word has French roots. It means that the Au Pair lives on an equal basis with the Host Family. Basically is a give and take situation. The Au Pair helps in the house with childcare and some light house work and the Family gives him a room, food and a weekly payment. To differentiate this from a salary it is called “pocket money”.
Normally an Au Pair is a young person aged between 17 and 27 without children and unmarried. A Host Family is made out of at least one parent who has children.
Off course this is the official version and it is how it is supposed to be. More about the differences between the official version and the reality please read here.
Au Pair in different countries.
Not all the countries in the world have an Au Pair program. There are signs that many countries have the phenomenon even without any specific laws. In the end it is the easiest way to get childcare for families and the cultural experience for the Au pair so this is why the legislation will come after that.
In different countries Au Pair program is different. To read about being an Au pair in a particular country please clicks here.
Hopefully this information is enough to get you started in understanding the Au Pair program.
Au pair program started in Europe soon after the Second World War. The need for childcare was quite big because of women’s emancipation. Working hard in factories during the WW2 while their men were fighting gave them the strength to oppose their traditional role in the family and to get the right to be financially independent. Obviously, this lead to the need of having somebody to take care of kids while the parents were working.
Also thinking in after war terms in Europe was a need of trying to understand each other’s culture to try to avoid any future wars.
There is no need to say more to understand the true mission of the Au pair program although there is no central agency or ruling body to regulate this area.
What actually Au Pair means?
Au Pair word has French roots. It means that the Au Pair lives on an equal basis with the Host Family. Basically is a give and take situation. The Au Pair helps in the house with childcare and some light house work and the Family gives him a room, food and a weekly payment. To differentiate this from a salary it is called “pocket money”.
Normally an Au Pair is a young person aged between 17 and 27 without children and unmarried. A Host Family is made out of at least one parent who has children.
Off course this is the official version and it is how it is supposed to be. More about the differences between the official version and the reality please read here.
Au Pair in different countries.
Not all the countries in the world have an Au Pair program. There are signs that many countries have the phenomenon even without any specific laws. In the end it is the easiest way to get childcare for families and the cultural experience for the Au pair so this is why the legislation will come after that.
In different countries Au Pair program is different. To read about being an Au pair in a particular country please clicks here.
Hopefully this information is enough to get you started in understanding the Au Pair program.