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[quote=Anonymous][quote]NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY SAY AP'S ARE TREATED LIKE [b]SLAVES[/b] [/quote]

You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means.

An 18-26 year old girl, often with very little child care experience, is here on a cultural exchange.

This means that she is providing 45 hours of child care and duties related to children and their care, including housekeeping related to the children in EXCHANGE for, at minimum, transportation from training in NYC, a private room, board, a $200 weekly stipend, $500 toward her required 8 college credits and transportation to her classes, 2 weeks paid vacation, and the opportunity to share her culture with her American host family and learn about American families, life and culture.  In addition, she can have fun traveling and exploring America during the extra month at the end of her year.  Add to this that the vast majority of families provide their au pair with a cell phone and paid service, a car or the use of a car (often with GPS service), with insurance and at least some gas and maintenance paid for by the host family, internet service access in her home and often treating them to a tour of NYC at their training and/ or a welcome package,  dinners out and attendance with the family at various outings to movies, amusement parks, fairs, festivals, shows, daytrips, etc. at which there is little actual 'work' expected, only their participation and assistance as an adult member of the group.  Add to this generous birthday and holiday gifts.   Some au pairs have televisions in their rooms with cable service, paid for by the host family.  Some have the use of a computer and/or printer (with ink), paid for by the host family.  Some au pairs have the benefit of membership to the host families gym, pool or country club. Some au pairs have the benefit of being allowed to host a family member of friend at the home of the host family.  Some au pairs receive additional driver training to assist in obtaining their US driver's license (again, paid for by the host family).  When an au pair chooses to join the program, the 45 hour work week as well as the possible duties required are clearly explained to her.  If an au pair feels this is an unfair deal or that her host family is treating her unfairly,  she is free to leave and return home at any time in the program without penalty or request to rematch with another family.

That's hardly slave labor.  Please don't disrespect the memory of lives and experiences of actual slaves by drawing a comparison to their experience of torture and humiliation and deprivation with the experience of an au pair girl in the US in 2012.  [/quote]

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