Issues
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| Community
Service, or volunteerism, is not always considered "political" - however
for many young people it is the most direct way they practice citizenship
and put their political values to action. Indeed volunteering at a
homeless shelter will develop your understanding of problems in society
(and government) that make homelessness worse. Volunteering in a hospital
will give you a first hand look at why health insurance is so important.
And working at a family planning clinic can illustrate the multiple
dimensions of the abortion debate. |
| Millennials
have volunteered at a very high rate -- many of their high schools
required it and later many of them volunteered to do AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps has had
two significant affects on politics and service for the generation. First,
it has enable thousands of people to volunteer who otherwise would not be
able to afford to take the time off. Second, it prohibits current
AmeriCorp members from doing directly political work. |
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| Some argue that volunteerism
is the opposite of political activity because it demonstrates how people
do not have faith the government is doing its job therefore they need to
volunteer. Or that young people would rather get involved in the community
at a soup kitchen than a political party's rally. We'll soon see if the
generation can be service oriented and directly political, or whether it
is a zero sum game. |
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Please tell
us your thoughts about the generation's (& your personal) attitude
towards community
service. If you have seen newspaper articles, or read
interesting stats, then forward them our way and we will be sure to
include them in the book.
If you
are a part of the Millennial Generation, tell us how you think service is
or is not political and please give us
examples.
If you are not a part of
the Millennial Generation, what do you think the motivation is for young
people to volunteer? |
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