Characteristics and motives of adolescent volunteers in wildlife education.
The characteristics and motives of 63 suburban adolescents (20 boys, 43 girls) who are concerned with learning how to care for and make significant contributions to wildlife and the environment were assessed by telephone interviews. The data confirm studies of adults in that significantly more girls than boys became volunteers, significantly more volunteers' families than average families experienced caring interactions with animal life through pet ownership, and significantly more volunteers reported that concern for wildlife arose during early childhood rather than later. The data also indicate that early childhood experiences with pets, with adults acting as role models and providing social approval, and having instruction in wildlife care with peers all contributed to their positive attitudes toward wildlife and the pursuit of their volunteer work. Over-all, the results suggest that adolescents, wildlife, and the environment might benefit if wildlife care programs could be established for other youth such as inner city teenagers.
Kidd
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Center for Animals in Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
Kidd
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D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000523:psychology; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009144:Museums; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*