France is the birthplace of the Au Pair Programme. The “Au Pair” concept was born at the end of the XIX century when young British and Germans went to France to study and families of their same social level “employed” them.
“Au Pair” means “on par” or equal. At present, this word is known worldwide and is not translated into any other language.
Since the end of the Second World War the number of young people going abroad to improve their knowledge of languages increased considerably. It was a problem of such magnitude that was no longer sufficient the interchanges between schools and universities, scholarships of studies, school trips, etc. in order to satisfy the desire of young people to extend their horizons, knowing other countries and other way of life.
The Council of Europe, through its Social Committee is forced to lay the foundations to regulate the figure of the Au Pair, because even though in practice it had existed for a long time, had became particularly popular among young people for it enables them to get to know a country thoroughly without too much cost and even, in the case of adolescents, without their family having to keep them during the placement period.
Background