The relationship between 9-11 and increased voluntarism

Zero. Nada. No relationship.

Since 2001, voluntarism has doubled, according to Peace Corps, AmeriCorp/Vista officials, and others (Yeah, praise the Lord!).  "I do think that recent world events have heightened awareness among college students and their desire to do good," says Elisa Clapp, vice president of recruitment at Teach for America in a recent USA Today article.  Wrong! There's no relationship between the increasing numbers of volunteers among Gen Y kids and 9-11.  Here's why:  1. Kids are not volunteering to fight Al Qaeda, they are volunteering to help others, more a pre-post Katrina response than 9-11.  As Elizabeth Jones, former corporate banker age 26, told USA Today, "There's a lot of need in this world, and it wasn't doing anything in my heart to help make the rich people be richer."  2. JFK's assassination was a signal event for Baby Boomers, but they/we started volunteering much before then, turned on by JFK's life, not his death.  3. Gen Y has long been seen as positive and more social oriented.  4. 2001 was the first year the oldest Gen Yers turned 20.  You can't join Peace Corps when you're only ten!   Bottom line: Gen Y is volunteering more, is more socially conscious, and that's great.  But it has nothing to do with 9-11. Take a clue from Ms. Jones, it has more to do with the great imbalance of weath in society (and a number of other social conditions). Nice job kids! Keep it up.

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[Stephen Downes]

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