Lazy, self-centered and passive are terms used to describe Generation X,
but a recent national survey conducted by Change educational publication,
showed 64 percent of students nationwide are participating in volunteer
activities.
Students at the University of Alabama are no different.
Sharhonda Berry, the director of the Community Service Center at the University
of Alabama, said the center has about 300 to 400 new applications from
students who want to volunteer every semester. These applications do not
include current members.
The Community Service Center allows students to decide how much time they
can volunteer each week, and the staff matches them with volunteer opportunities.
"Most students like to do tutorials, probably because you can see
the results of all your hard work," Berry said.
Not only does the center provide individual service opportunities, but
it also participates in annual events like the Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger
food drive. This volunteer activity allows the students to do good by donating
food, but also lets them have a little fun competition.
Students all over the nation are participating in similar activities. This
widespread volunteerism is not limited to a specific region of the nation.
In the Northeast, 61 percent of students volunteer; 65 percent in the Midwest;
64 percent in the South; and 67 percent in the West, according to Change's
national survey of 9,000 undergraduate students.
Students can also find volunteer opportunities through national organizations.
One national organization, Boise, Idaho's Service Station, caters specifically
to youth and young adults. It helps fit them into a volunteer project for
one day or up to 10 days. Another national organization specifically for
college students is Campus Outreach Opportunity League. This organization
helps college students start and organize new local community service projects
or strengthen existing programs.
The large percentages of volunteering and the many national service organizations
show that Generation X is service-minded, but why does the lazy, self-centered
stereotype exist?
Fred Cornforth, the executive director of Service Station, has a theory
on why this stereotype exists.
"The GI and Silent Generations were very institution-minded,"
he said.
For example, they did their volunteering through the church. They would
give money to the church, who would then help the poor. Cornforth believes
that Generation X is more individualistic.
"Today's youth are very service-minded," Cornforth said. "They
are just not institution-minded."
Because the older generations depended so much on establishments to do
their service, they do not think the younger generation is helping out
their community.
"These generations did not expose the Generation X to service because
they were so institutionalized," he said.
Monica Newton, a junior at the University of Alabama, volunteers her time
through the Triangle service organization and through her sorority.
"I think a lot of students want to do service when they have time
to fit it in their schedules," Newton said. "And once they do
start volunteering, they like it."
Clubs like Triangle, Circle K and Civitan are organizations founded to
improve the community around them. Students also find opportunities to
help their community through fraternities, sororities, honor societies
and student governments. These groups do not solely focus on service, but
they do participate in some way.
Rena Havner, a junior from Huntsville at the university, said this shows
Generation X is service-oriented.
"There are so many service clubs at the university, and just about
every other club incorporates some kind of service into their activities,"
she said. "There is no excuse not to do service. You get a lot more
out of life when you help people."
Reasons for volunteering depend on the motivations of the students.
"A lot of times, we take for granted the things we have, and there
are a lot of people that are less fortunate than we are," Havner said.
"We have to give back to them."
Berry, who has witnessed student involvement first hand through the Community
Service Center, agreed with Havner.
"I don't think students are innately selfish; they do have compassion,"
she said.
Even though young adults are participating in community service, the stereotypes
of the "me" generation still exist.
"People always see the negative aspects of something instead of the
positive," Havner said.