Volunteering and community service in adolescence.
Since the 1980s, volunteering has been studied as an avenue for positive development in adolescents. Reviews in the early 1990s were mixed regarding the benefits of volunteering, questioning the ability to transfer volunteer skills to other aspects of life as well as the true reduction in risky behaviors the adolescent will go on to undertake. This article addresses the gaps in the prior reviews and looks more closely at the benefits of volunteering. The author suggests that adolescent volunteers develop fewer problem behaviors in their later teens, enjoy a sense of connection to their community, maintain a better work ethic, and show a greater concern for the welfare of others. There are innumerable options for integrating volunteering into the life of an adolescent. This article offers many options, reviews some of the most popular, and suggests conditions that may increase the success of a volunteering program.
Kuperminc
G P
GP
Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, 30307, USA.
Holditch
P T
PT
Allen
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D006801:Humans; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D014838:Volunteers