When asked whether they have volunteered in their community in the past year, First Globals are the most likely of any generation surveyed to say they have -- 64.7% of First Globals volunteered, compared to 58.6% of those 30-49, 59.5% of those 50-64, and 58.1% of those over 65.
Why would First Globals be more likely to volunteer – do they have more free time? More energy? A greater sense of civic responsibility? More dedication to various causes? Other reasons? As this generation grows older, will they still volunteer in high numbers?
Edited to add:
One of commenters wonders how First Globals' patterns of volunteering vary by political ideology. Arthur Brooks, a scholar at Syracuse University and the author of Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism, has made a convincing case that self-identified conservatives are more likely to give to charity, volunteer, and civically engage with their communities than self-identified liberals.
However, when we analyze the responses to our question about volunteering by both age and ideology, our data for this question does not support Brooks' theory. 68.6% of First Globals who say their ideology is progressive or liberal have volunteered, compared to 67.9% of First Globals who say their ideology is moderate, 52.6% of First Globals who say their ideology is conservative or very conservative, and 54% of those who say their ideology is libertarian.
Similarly, of First Globals who identify themselves as Democrats, 74.1% have volunteered, compared to 59.4% of First Global Republicans and 52.3% of First Global Independents.
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7 comments:
I would like to see an ideological break-down for this, given the difference in charitable giving between liberals and conservatives.
"volunteering" is a vague term. If you asked how often first globals contributed money to charity, what proportion of their income they gave, how often they've served meals in a food kitchen, we might see different results - especially regarding ideology.
I think part of the reason why we may be more likely to volunteer is that for first globals, volunteering is emphasized at an early age: sports teams will do volunteer work, colleges want to know what kind of volunteering one has done. I think that as they grow older, first globals will continue to volunteer in various ways because we recognize how important and fulfilling it is.
As people grow older they volunteer less, not more, except for old people. The reason is that volunteering is not cost-effective, neither for people at the heights of their career nor for the recipients of their favors.
i wonder if religious young people volunteer more than secular young people.
Volunteering is another bullet on the college application. With ever increasing competition to get in the top schools, one must explore every avenue of advancement and take advantage of every opportunity available. This also speaks to spare, free time. As one gets older, and takes on more life responsibilities, it is increasingly difficult to give up free time you don't have to begin with. Between jobs, spouses, children and personal obligations it isn’t feasible for the average, middle-aged American to volunteer readily.
Interesting thesis. Never thought about the connection between volunteering and college applications. Good point!
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