Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day - Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Family Activities Children

Also known as Take Your Child to Work Day, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is on April 23 this year. The job shadowing day is intended to give children a glimpse into the working world through the guidance of their parents. Take Our Daughters And Sons to Work Day was developed by a foundation of the same name. It’s a non-profit educational foundation designed to promote Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, a day that revolves around the ethos of future job prospects. It’s designed to inspire and build a strong educational foundation for young children. Celebrate this holiday with us by arranging for your child to come into the office, or to follow you on your daily tasks. We’re sure it will have a positive lasting effect!

History of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Created in New York City in 1992, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day was not always as the name insists. The day was initially just for girls and was called Take Our Daughters to Work Day. The effect of the day was explosive and so it was then expanded in 2003 to include boys. Most companies agreed to accommodate any child, and the day was renamed to ‘‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’’ and now occurs every fourth Thursday in April every year.

The president of the Ms. Foundation for Women, Marie Wilson and colleagues initially created Take Our Daughters To Work Day. Initially, the program was attempting to tackle self-esteem issues with young girls which was why boys were excluded. Friction was caused when educators chose not to participate as the curriculum of the day discouraged male involvement. April 22, 1993 kicked off the first initial day and it’s been celebrated since. Parents, schools, and children in over 3.5 million companies across the U.S, celebrate and plan ahead for the day every year. The day is usually scheduled on a school day and schools are tasked with preparing literature to promote the program.

The word ‘our’ references the nation’s children, the country’s daughters and sons which is relevant as the addition of boys was embraced by all in 2003. For this reason, some companies started calling it ‘‘Take Our Children to Work Day.’’
 
To provide both girls and boys with career opportunities, regardless of gender, flexibility was recommended and needed to prove the initial point of nurturing and inspiring young children. Males who hosted children claimed to have benefitted from being viewed as parental figures as well as being professionals which helped greatly in combating gender stereotypes.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day timeline

April 2020

Pandemic Precaution

Due to the coronavirus, a precautionary measure is taken to postpone the day this year.

2018

Credit, Where Credits Due

VISA honors the day by welcoming 2,500 children into their offices.

2007

Can’t Hold Her Down

MacArthur Genius Award recipient, Carolyn McKecuen, becomes TODTW’s Executive Director.

1990’s

Sisters Doin It For Themselves

A national conversation begins on what was next for feminism.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day FAQs

What day is National Bring Your Child to Work Day?

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is observed on the fourth Thursday of April every year.

What is the purpose of Take Your Child to Work Day?

Take Your Child to Work Day, also known as Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, promotes education about the workplace, helps to build self-esteem, and challenge gender-based stereotypes.

How do I plan Take Your Child to Work Day?

If you wish to bring your child to work on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, first ask your workplace and your child’s school if it’s okay. Next plan out activities for your child to do to help you out in the office while also showing them your colleagues jobs and expanding their minds on their potential career paths.

5 Facts About Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day

  1. The Office

    ‘‘Take your Daughter to Work Day’’ is episode 18 of Season 2 of ‘The Office’’

  2. Open Door Policy

    3.5 million workplaces participate in this day every year.

  3. Staff Celebs

    The theme for 2020 was ‘‘Meet the Workplace Superstars.’’

  4. Age-based

    To participate in the day, school participants must be between the ages of 8-18.

  5. Classroom Goals

    The day is set to be on a school day every day, so children can go to school on Friday, share their experience and apply it in the classroom.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Activities

  1. Take your child to work

    Employees are encouraged to ask permission first and bring your children to work for the day. If you don’t have a child, you can bring a niece, nephew or friends’ child. Schedule tasks you’d like them to perform, a tour you’d like to lead with them and create an itinerary bound to leave them thinking about this day for some time.

  2. Share your day

    Share the outcome of your day online. Use the hashtag #TakeOurChildrenToWorkDay and chronicle what you and your child got up to during shadowing, what they learned and why the day is such a great incentive to teach our kids about the value of hard work.

  3. Become a sponsor

    Go to daughtersandsonstowork.org and become a sponsor! Read the guidelines for this holiday and find out how you can become a sponsor and the benefits that come with this role. Email todastw@mindspring.com or call 1-800-676-7780 for more information.

Why We Love Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

  1. How to Save a Life

    Employees are encouraged to specifically invite underprivileged children to participate in the program. This is to provide career options and to promote and encourage self-esteem in light of financial barriers.

  2. Boys Will Be Boys

    This day is now also called ‘‘Take Your Child To Work Day’’ because it is inclusive to boys. This is a great incentive for all genders to enjoy the potential of exploring career options through parents

  3. Family is Family

    Children can also go to work on the day with uncles, aunts or grandparents. As long as they have permission from parents, accompanying relatives is allowed so children can explore careers in fields they look up to.

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