The Benefits And Downsides Of Volunteering Research Papers Examples

Introduction

Volunteerism takes a number of different forms and its main role has always been to provide benefits to various communities through service. Communities have been observed to be significantly impacted from volunteerism whether through a regular community program addressing ongoing needs or in response to natural disasters or specific events. Volunteers simultaneously gain satisfaction from their effective service as they also acquire new contacts and skills. However, although volunteering is an admirable work, it is important to acknowledge that it also has shortfalls (Wade 244). The positive features of volunteerism have always overshadowed the negative effects and therefore a better understanding of the rewards and risks associated with volunteering will help in better decision making.
Positive Impacts of Volunteerism To begin with, both the community and the volunteer benefit from volunteerism. According to researchers Marc Musick and John Wilson:
“The impacts of volunteering have personal benefits that extend beyond the simple act of volunteering and may still linger on even after the initial role of volunteering is relinquished. The most essential benefit volunteers acquire is based on their satisfaction, when they realize that their efforts have helped make their communities a better place” (Wilson & Musick 7). Volunteerism similarly helps participants to acquire new skills. It also gives them the opportunity to change their negative social behavior. Volunteerism in the form of community service programs in school has been indicated to furthermore keep students away from any detrimental and delinquent activities, especially when they seem to enjoy the volunteer service and are acquiring new skills (Wilson & Musick 21) Colleges have therefore been increasingly interested in volunteerism amongst their potential employees and students and hence, volunteerism has become a buzzword in some of the top colleges in the country (Joongbaeck & Musick 8). Students are also increasingly realizing that that they gain higher chances of scholarship opportunities by serving in their communities as volunteers. There are for instance some areas in the United States where volunteerism has been made a mandatory program to gain graduation from high school. This is pegged on the fact that volunteerism helps the students to be altruistic activists within their community especially since the values of responsibility and citizenship are inculcated within them (Joongbaeck & Musick 8). Such students therefore become aware of a wide variety of community problems as they learn how to analyze them and think of the different ways through which they can be resolved. Consequently this helps to raise responsible, unselfish and active citizens committed to the positive development of their communities.

Negative Impacts of Volunteerism

The negative effects of volunteering on the other hand have been observed to emanate majorly from situations that involve mandatory volunteerism. This is a type of volunteerism that is meant to fulfill certain requirements mostly within an educational system. In such a situation, volunteers often continue with their services even when it negatively affects them especially because withdrawal in such instances is always a costly option.
Theoretically, volunteering is meant to be done from a willingness of the heart, therefore when forced to, it can have a negative impact (Hardina 44). For example, individuals with long workdays may find it difficult to get the energy and time for mandatory volunteer hours. Forced volunteering can therefore significantly affect the health of individuals as well as dispel their motivation and productivity as a result of exhaustion. The introduction of community service programs in some school districts usually experiences resistance from both parents and students who often feel that an inordinate amount of their time would be spent volunteering. There is also always the concern that volunteer work is petty and non- beneficial (Hannon 32). This attitude has made some students form a negative opinion about volunteer work.
Wilson and Musick therefore summarize the situation by stating that “attaching rewards to altruism indeed distorts values and undermines motivation especially since benefits mostly depend on the volunteer who is usually intrinsically motivated” (Wilson & Musick 24).
Concern Worldwide US, Inc. is an example of a volunteer organization in the United States, operating as an affiliate program of Concern Worldwide. It supports the Concern network through program development, recruiting staff, offering financial support to different programs and creating public awareness on humanitarian issues. Concern Worldwide is generally an international non-governmental and humanitarian organization that is dedicated towards the reduction of poverty and suffering in some of the poorest countries in the world (Concern Worldwide 2015).
Since it was founded in 1968, Concern Worldwide has helped to save countless lives, provide better living standards for millions as well as relieve suffering through its work and dedication on long-term development and emergencies. The main countries of operation are those at the bottom of the 40 in the United Nations Human Development Report. The organization is responsible for the implementation of emergency response programs together with long-term development programs in the health, nutrition, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education, livelihoods and HIV&AIDS fields (Concern Worldwide 2015).
Interested individuals in Concern Worldwide can get involved in a number of different ways that include giving concern gifts, attending their events, donating financial support as well as attending the global concern classroom. Volunteers can access the organization through emailing to . For work application, the organization has an equal opportunity site for the regular online job application process (Concern Worldwide 2015).

Works Cited

Concern Worldwide Inc. Official Website. Retrieved from: http://www.concernusa.org/
Hannon, Kerry. Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy and Pays the Bills. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley, 2012.
Hardina, Donna. An Empowering Approach to Managing Social Service Organizations. New York: Springer, 2007.
Joongbaeck, Kim & Musick, Marc. Perceptions of Volunteering Efficacy and Their Effects on Mental Health. All Academic Research. 2009. Retrieved from: http://bccvolunteering.wikispaces.com/Volunteerism+Advantages+and+Disadvantages
Wade, Rahima C. Community Service-Learning: A Guide to Including Service in the Public School Curriculum. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1997. Print.
Wilson, John and Marc Musick. The Effects of Volunteering on the Volunteer. Law And Contemporary Problems. 2009. Retrieved from: http://bccvolunteering.wikispaces.com/Volunteerism+Advantages+and+Disadvantages