5 of 22

Write now Article Tools

Jennifer and Alison were sisters. Jennifer, a pretty 15 year old was outgoing and friendly. Although Alison was only one year older, the emotional gap between them was immense. Their parents insisted that both girls volunteer at their local old age home, where their mother worked as a nurse.

Jennifer was in her element. She loved both the attention she received from the residents, and the feeling of fulfillment she achieved in spending time with those who were lonely. Alison, however, was shy and self-conscious. The attention did nothing to help her awkwardness; and being made to read to, and play games with, complete strangers was excruciating. She begged her parents to let her out of this dreaded commitment, but they felt that volunteering was an important part of building character, compassion and responsibility in a teen. And besides, if her sister could do it, so could Alison.

This situation gradually drove a greater wedge between Alison and Jennifer. Jennifer believed that Alison was just selfish, and Alison's image of Jennifer was a "goody-goody" who would do anything for attention.

The pros of volunteering are, of course, many. They include developing increased responsibility, compassion, and time management. Having a commitment to volunteering for a specific cause or organization can keep a teen busy and thereby help to combat some of the teen issues caused by boredom. It can form a foundation for a caring and charitable character. That is, if the teen is invested in the cause.

I believe the difference between the pros and cons of volunteer teens lies in whether the teen cares about the cause behind the volunteer work or not, and whether the work suits her personality or not.

A passion can be invaluable to a teenager. If a teenager is guided to something he feels passionate about - whether it's the plight of animals, the injustices in a particular country, or preserving the dignity and value of the elderly in the community not only will he willingly volunteer to this cause, but he will also gain so much more from it.

A teenager who feels passionate about something, and is given the opportunity to do something about it, has been given a head-start to high self esteem, a sense of pride and self worth, a strong sense of compassion, and an excitement that will help to keep him from a wide variety of the dangers that come with seeking thrills and avoiding boredom.

The cons of volunteering that are seldom pointed out, reach far beyond the volunteering itself. If

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Volunteer teens: The pros and cons?
We want to hear your view. Write now!