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Civic Engagement in an Older America E-Newsletter February, 2010 CONTENTS Volunteering in the United States ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This issue
brief released recently by the Sloan Center on Aging & Work
at Boston College explores common assumptions and expectations about
aging, new views of aging (and critiques of these views), and the
benefits of a revised conceptual model that focuses on engagement,
characterized by four specific activities including work, volunteering,
caregiving, and education or lifelong learning. A related fact
sheet on "Trends in Volunteerism among Older Adults"
is also available. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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This
policy brief from the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe proposes strategies that may increase the integration and
participation of older persons in political and economic life and
that may improve their access to transport, appropriate housing,
and cultural activities. The brief emphasizes the importance of
balanced intergenerational relationships based on mutual respect,
efforts to reduce ageism and to destigmatize old age, and the potential
for older adults to volunteer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Volunteering in the United States
New data
from the 2009 Current Population Survey Volunteer Supplement show
an increase in the national volunteer rate from 26.4 percent in
2008 to 26.8 percent in 2009. Despite the challenging economic climate,
the number of volunteers increased by 1.5 million in 2009. A few
demographic groups showed significant rate increases, including
people who are employed, women who are employed full-time, African
American women, and unemployed men. A higher percentage of volunteers
engaged in social or community services in 2009 than in 2008 (13.9
percent compared to 13.5 percent) and a lower percentage volunteered
through or with a religious organizations in 2009 than in 2008 (34.0
percent compared to 35.1 percent). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does volunteerism literally run in the family? This provocative hypothesis is tested in a groundbreaking study by Joonmo Son and John Wilson published in The Sociological Quarterly. To separate the influence of genes from the social environment, the study used samples of twins and siblings from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) dataset to estimate genetic heritability of hours volunteered per month. Although unique environmental factors of the kind sociologists have traditionally focused upon account for most of the variance, women do owe some of their propensity to volunteer to their genes. There is no genetic effect for men. The article, "Genetic Variation in Volunteerism," can be downloaded for free here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ten people over age 60 who are inventing new ways to solve social
problems in their encore careers will win the 2010 Purpose Prize
of $100,000. To nominate yourself or someone you know and to learn
more about what makes a successful Purpose Prize nomination, click
here. The deadline is
March 5.
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