Altruism Begins At Home

When I was teaching, I sponsored several clubs and organizations.  To name a few, Human Relations Council, Peer Mediation, Teens Against Tobacco Use, Class Adviser and Journalism Club.  Many of  the activities associated with the clubs were centered on the interests of the students, others to serve the school and still others, emphasized service and volunteering.  National Honor Society requires them all.  It is an invitation only organization that requires scholarship, leadership and service.  To be invited, a prospective initiate must not only have a certain GPA, they must also have a specific number of activity and community service hours.  As a sponsor and application reader, I must say that some of the volunteer hours listed were a stretch. 

Savvy college bound students know a well-rounded application includes not only good grades, but a impressive list of community service. This is important for not only admission but for scholarships and grants.  Creative and constructive volunteering is what colleges are looking for.  This means time and energy invested into something important. Something that makes a difference.  A car wash in bathing suits on a sunny Saturday to offset spring trip expenses is not such an activity.  Neither is picking up trash to fulfill court decreed community service.  Blowing up balloons for the prom does not a philanthropic project make.

It is easier for teens to grasp true service if it has been modeled at home.  What follows are some excellent suggestions from Good Morning America Parenting contributor, Anne Pleshette Murphy. She offers tips on raising a compassionate and caring teen.

You hear a lot of grumbling these days about how kids think only of themselves. It doesn’t have to be that way. Several studies show that altruism can start as early as 18 months of age, and kids who volunteer have better grades, fewer discipline problems and are less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes than their more self-centered peers. Here’s how you can help them get started.
Charity begins at home. Early on, reward your child’s impulses to aid other people. Kids as young as 3 can sort silverware or help you with the laundry. Older children can support their siblings by attending their activities, tutoring or coaching, including in activities,  Let them learn to be the hero.
Know thy neighbors. Reach out to neighbors; work together to clean up a park or organize a giant yard sale to raise money for a charity. Adopt a grandparent in the area who may need assistance with grocery shopping or an occasional visit. Volunteer at a soup kitchen as a family, recycle together, plant trees, pick up trash, help Habitat for Humanity. Find something to do together.
Pick a passion. Many adolescents have strong feelings about the environment, racial inequality or other issues that inspire social action. Their internet savvy makes it easy to find ways to make a difference. DoSomething.org lists opportunities for teens, and Serve.gov finds dozens of volunteer opportunities by zip code. 

Making a difference is great for the recipient, but even better for the giver.  Help your child experience the satisfaction of truly giving back.  Not for recognition or scholarships, but because he should.  Because she learned about those thousand points of light, at home. Chrissie