Parendamiste

Parendamiste is a term used in cultural studies to describe a social practice centered on repairing and refurbishing objects instead of discarding them. Drawing from everyday maintenance to professional restoration, parendamiste emphasizes extending the life of goods, reducing waste, and reusing updated or repaired items in daily life.

Origin and scope: The term emerged in studies of communities that organize repair workshops, tool-sharing networks, and informal mentorship in repair skills. It covers both individual actions—like fixing a torn garment or sharpening a tool—and collective activities, such as community repair events and repair cafés.

Practices and methods: Participants assess wear, plan repairs, select materials, and apply repair techniques ranging from simple mends to cosmetic restoration. Knowledge exchange is central, often through hands-on demonstrations, online guides, and intergenerational learning.

Social and economic dimensions: Parendamiste intersects with the circular economy and the right to repair movement, influencing consumer choices, local repair businesses, and material waste streams. It can affect perceptions of value, durability, and identity tied to possessions.

Critiques and limitations: Critics note that not all items are repairable or worth repairing; repairs can be expensive or unsafe; and access to skilled labor or tools may be unequal. There is also debate about the long-term environmental benefits versus energy and resource use in repair processes.

See also: repair culture, circular economy, right to repair, product longevity.