The New (Teen) Culture of Volunteerism
While some of today’s youth may be self absorbed and callous, there’s a big pocket of young Americans who are giving back - and giving back big.
The Boston Globe touched on this topic in the recent Sunday paper. I have to admit, the article took me off guard. Kids? Volunteering? No way, I thought.
I was dead wrong.
Thanks to the Internet, wonderful teachers, and thoughtful parents (like you and I), the interest and participation in public service and volunteerism among teenagers has risen dramatically over the last decade. In fact, today’s teens are far more likely than their predecessors to find ways to give back and to shape the world they will inherit.
A record 68% of K-12 schools offer or recognize service opportunities for students, according to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The government agency also reports a 69% increase in applications to the AmeriCorps program over the last four years. A survey by UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute found that two-thirds of students entering college in 2006 felt that helping others in need was essential or very important, the highest rate in 26 years.
This service ethic is evident nationwide -
- inspiring middle-school students to raise arts scholarship money for their needy peers
- driving college students to craft programs combating youth violence and promoting small loans to entrepreneurs
- moving 20- and 30-somethings to create internationally focused nonprofit organizations.
… just to name a few inspiring acts.
Even colleges, like Northeastern University, are now adding non-profit management to their course offerings and bulking up their alternative spring break programs, which pairs students with service projects.
Volunteering. It’s a great way to give thanks for all that we have - and help others at the same time.
More from around the sphere:
- In the past twenty years, there has never been a teen volunteer to contribute that many volunteer hours. He is currently a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with Warring-ton Emergency Medical Services, a junior member of the … - Paul W.: Teen Volunteer. October 29, 2008 by 4loveandsqualor. One of our regulars at Main, Paul, had to complete fifteen hours of community service for school. Since Paul is such a big fan of the library he asked if he could complete … |
November 29th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I applaud those parents, teachers, and institutions that are encouraging kids to give back to community and society. It not only encourages appreciation for the possessions and privileges they have, it develops a positive work ethic, sense of humanity, and builds self esteem. Community service should be part of character education in all public and private schools-on every level of education.
Dr. Michael Osit
Psychologist & Author/Generation Text: Raising Well Adjusted Kids In An Age Of Instant Everything
December 6th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
[...] The New (Teen) Culture of Volunteerism [...]
January 13th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
[...] we have is a new (Teen) Culture of Volunteerism While some of today’s youth may be self absorbed and callous, there’s a big pocket of young [...]