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Volunteering: Genetic or Environmental?

The Drop In Shelter's Annual Chocolate and Tea at Three fundraiser at the Marriott Hotel in Lawrence Sunday was a cool mix of volunteers. The mix was inclusive of teens through seniors.

How does a parent pass on the feel good trait of donating time and/or knowledge? Is the desire to help others and get paid in ways that exclude monetary ones an innate trait one is born with, or an environmentally learned behavior?

We may not know the answer to that in black and white terms for a long time. What we do know is that some traits are obviously genetic (color blindness is an example), while other ones are strictly environmental (learning a specific language depending on where one is born).

The answer to why the teenagers were volunteering at yesterday's event may be surprising.

All of the teens who were polled (female students from Free State High School ages fifteen through eighteen) replied they were active volunteers for other causes as well and had been for some time. They also almost unanimously stated their parents were not active volunteers, with the exception of one mother who volunteers at school functions and girl scout events.

So what made these students want to give of themselves? This non scientific poll would seem to suggest genetic and/or environmental reasons are not a factor since parents weren't volunteers. If it were genetic, wouldn't the parents also be active volunteers? Maybe not. We know that genes can be inherited but not necessarily 'turned' on. There is the possibility that something occurred in the lives of these teens that lit up their 'giving' gene while it lies dormant in a sibling or a cousin.

It seems safe to say that once the trait of assisting others is turned on, it rarely becomes turned off.

Are you an active volunteer? Have you been in the past?

How instrumental were your parents in guiding you towards that path?

What do you do to instill your children with the desire to help others?

By Ronda Miller

November 9, 2009

At Random

From the Citizen Journalism Academy

Discussion

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9 November 2009
at 9:27 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

i pretty much made my son (who is now a freshman at HCC) sign up w/ the volunteer connection here in salina when he was 15. he was too young to be employed (by most places) but it was the summertime and i thought he needed something constructive to do. so we went in together and i got him signed up. he helped at the food bank and i think he enjoyed it, atleast to hear him tell the tale he acts as if it were an overall positive experience.

i was seriously pondering going down to the volunteer connection again, this time to sign myself back up (i was signed up in those days but that was several years ago) as well as to sign up my two younger children (a sophomore in HS and a 6th grader).

to answer your original question, i don't know if volunteer work is so much genetic. i don't volunteer very often but i don't really remember my mom doing any volunteer work while i was in school. my dad was involved in the community simply from being an educator and later a psychologist who worked w/ lower income families and the KCMO school disctrict so he put in alot of paid hours, but he helped alot of people in the process.

i think it is environmental in a way… if a kids' classmates, in particular their friends, want to sign up for volunteer work, there is a good chance the kid will follow suit. and if they are encouraged by adults/caregivers, that has alot to do w/ participation as well.
9 November 2009
at 9:43 a.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

Sometimes it is spousal. I get volunteered for many things I would not volunteer for….
9 November 2009
at 9:51 a.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

You make some great points, Mel. I agree that in this case it is probably a mixture of genetics and environment. We know that areas of pleasure light up like a 4th of July firecracker when we give. So once we have given, it is quite likely we'll continue to give. There are numerous ways people give though and it doesn't have to be about volunteering. Perhaps the person works in a giving job such as you mention for your father. Mothers and fathers are giving of themselves throughout their days and nights and may be getting their feel good fix in that, or another manner.

I was surprised by the loosely organized poll yesterday though. I would have bet money that the young people assisting in such a pleasant manner had parents who were like minded. And maybe many of them do without realizing it. Perhaps they overlooked obvious things like being Board Members for organizations, donating of charitable gifts, time spent driving those children to and from special interest activities. Or maybe they were actively involved before they had children and had additional time to give.

I do think it is important for families to discuss the role that non traditional jobs of a service nature mean in terms of benefits for those who are recipients as well as the person who donates time, money, knowledge.
9 November 2009
at 9:54 a.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

She knows how to keep you busy and out from under her feet it sounds like. Smart woman!

How actively did you suggest your children pursued volunteering and how active are they presently?
9 November 2009
at 10:18 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

there are alot of good kids out there. its just that the obnoxious and/or irresponsible ones get the most attention, which is unfortunate. but there are so many caring, generous and thoughtful children out there— from the wee ones to the highschoolers.
9 November 2009
at 10:22 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

this is kinda sorta on topic (in a kind of off-topic sort of way. lol), but back several years ago, after hurricane katrina, salina was one of the only communities in KS which was designated to receive evacuees. we had the facilities and ALOT of people signed up to help, myself, my boyfriend and my children included. we were actually pretty stoked about being able to help those folks firsthand but then the powers that be decided they weren't sending them as far north as KS.

it made me proud of my community though. y'all know i have my little gripes about salina but i was really proud of the town i call home at that time.
9 November 2009
at 10:45 a.m.

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rodentgirl16 (Anonymous) says…

Definitely environmental. We lived in the country so my parents weren't really in a position to volunteer within community organizations, although thinking about it now, they always helped with the annual church picnic, watched neighbors kids, etc., which is sort of like volunteering. I volunteer now because I haven't gotten to where I am today by myself, and if I can help make someone else's life easier, even just a little bit, then it is totally worth it.

9 November 2009
at 10:56 a.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

Thanks for your thoughts, rodentgirl. I agree that “It Takes a Village” - and in my case, a few towns, cities and states as well!

A friend reminded me of a story recently she had heard about a teacher who left such an impact on the lives of her students that many of them to this day carry the individual words of encouragement she had written to them. Even if we are remembered as the kind person who carried a casserole through the doorway for someone who was hungry, it can leave a surprising impact on the life of another.

I love the commercial where one person does a kind act for another and then each succeeding person is doing something kind for another. Sounds simple, yet it is so easy.

Volunteering is varied enough that we can all find something we are passionate about to become involved in.
9 November 2009
at 11:01 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

i like those commercials too, ronda. :)
9 November 2009
at 11:15 a.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

They stimulate the 'feel good' part of my brain. So much so that I don't feel the need to go out and do anything on my own. ;)
9 November 2009
at 11:47 a.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

Genetic or Environmental…?

They're both *environment*—one just wrapped a little more tightly.

( Don't mistake the vehicle for the driver. )
9 November 2009
at 12:17 p.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

*whoosh!*

that was the sound of tang's post going right over my head.
9 November 2009
at 1:16 p.m.

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Moderate (George Lippencott) says…

Ronda,

The old nourish or nature question? I can only address your question anecdotally. I wonder if there are any meaningful studies. Well, I have known kids from the most self serving parents who become real contributors to the society. I have known just the opposite. Maybe there is some other factor working.
9 November 2009
at 1:46 p.m.

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sandersen (Anonymous) says…

Sometimes I think it's the introduction to the activity of helping others, as well as an understanding that looking outside of your own life allows you to better understand the lives of others, to impact society and the world in a positive manner.

There is always an opportunity to help someone in need. Doing so builds character and improves the sense of compassion in our community.
9 November 2009
at 3:10 p.m.

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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…

I agree with Tange.Perfect way to state the case.
I help when I can. I am very empathic so I usually feel what someone else is feeling, or what I think they are feeling.
I like the Coke commercial:
Give a little love and it all comes back to you,
The world will remember the things that you say and do.
Just think about that when you are around people.
Roe, just admit it, you are a sweetie pie, and your wife is lucky to have you. And you lucky to have her.

9 November 2009
at 3:49 p.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

George, excellent point. It can be the uniquely complex make up of an individual who has a 'turned on” gene, or is “turned off” by over zealous parents. Maybe one person inherits the scrooge gene! :) I believe there are so many factors that make up each individual that studies are pretty worthless! ;) Not trying to be negative here. We just aren't raised under a telescope. Well, we could put tange under one and Paul at the other end and see what we end up with.

tange, doubting Thomas that you are in anything genetic, let me tell you, people stand the way they stand because of genetics, they have the same rare sense of humor because of genetics. I believe very strongly in genetics. I know a set of twins now that have both gone through cancer - maybe environment…absolutely genetic.

Mel, take me with you the next time you swoosh over tange's head. Just make sure we give him a wide berth! ;)
9 November 2009
at 4:18 p.m.

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denak (Anonymous) says…

I think it is environmental.

I went through 12 years of Catholic schooling and volunteering was something we “had” to do. :) We had to go to the food kitchens and serve or to the charity clothing store to sort clothes. Most of the time, I didn't like it but what it did teach me, which was the reason we had to do it, was that we aren't here just for ourselves, that we are here to serve others and to have compassion and empathy for other people.

As an parent, I have tried to instill that same notion of service to others in him. My son doesn't really like to volunteer now but he did when he was younger. I think part of the reason is that, starting in 5th grade, he boarded at KSSB during the week so the opportunity to volunteer wasn't always an option while living there plus he had other influences other than mine. I think had he lived with me the majority of time, he would have more into volunteering. But, according to his teachers, he is very compassionate so, in the end, that is more important.

So, I definitely think it is environmental. I think people get their morals from their parents, one way or the other, and if you grow up with a parent that stresses the need to volunteer or to give of oneself, I think the child is more likely to volunteer as a child or as an adult.

Dena
9 November 2009
at 4:40 p.m.

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Moderate (George Lippencott) says…

All:

Not being a parent I am more tolerant of parents. Not everything that happens is their fault. Not everything that happens is the fault of our society. Some things just happen - I believe in personal demons that effect outcomes.

Since Ronda shot down the study question (correctly in my opinion) we may never really know. By the by, I am told ( I hope correctly) that KU has a grant to look at what drives outcomes in a foster family setting. Maybe a step to better understanding??!!
9 November 2009
at 5:06 p.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

George, that will be an interesting study, but again it is impossibly difficult to have all criteria for such a study in place to keep it from being biased. I tend to believe that studies prove or disprove what their intent was to begin with. Are their unbiased studies - heck if I know! ;) I'm sure there are somewhere.

denak, What do you think about those parents who often find themselves in the position where their children do the opposite? As all but one of the (maybe seven to nine) young volunteers stated yesterday, they didn't have parents who do volunteer work.

I think sometimes parents can overdo something too. One of my most fond memories is serving breakfast at the Drop-in Shelter on Christmas morning. Will it be a favorite memory of my two children as well? I don't know. I may ask them in a few years and see if they remember doing it.

I see children from the same family all the time that are polar opposites when it comes to personality. While one may be empathetic when someone gets hurt, their sibling may run over and grab the candy the injured child dropped. You just never know. Will the one who is empathetic while young still be in twenty years? I can't say. Interesting that most studies do show that such documented patterns while young continue on throughout life. How much reward does that child get for the behavior we perceive as 'helpful'? How large a role does that play in shaping?
9 November 2009
at 6:22 p.m.

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denak (Anonymous) says…

“….What do you think about those parents who often find themselves in the position where their children do the opposite?…”

I think with the young volunteers what you might be seeing isn't so much of a rejection or the opposite of what the parents are doing but the natural outcome of what they have been taught since they were young.

In other words, parents have a lot of demands on their time. They don't always have the time or opportunity to volunteer and some may not want to but they still know the value of volunteering and teaching their children to serve others or to help the world be a better place. If they have been telling this to the children since they were young and have been modeling it since they are young, the child will internalize these values. So, even though Mom and Dad might be too busy right now, the child still learns that it is important and will volunteer.

Or Mom or Dad might be pushing said kids to volunteer because it looks good on their college application or the kids might be doing it because his or her friends or doing it.

One way or the other, it is an enviroment that is the greater influence on the child…not genetics. (In my humble opinion)

I read recently that genetics determine over 60% of what we are/do but I'm not sure if we are genetically predisposed to do charitable things unless volunteer service can be linked to some kind of evolutionary advantage.

Dena

P.S. What exactly is the study at KU trying to prove regarding foster families? What sort of outcomes? I don't think we can really apply the “nature vs nurture” debate to foster children. There are too many factors that determine whether or not “nature” or “nurture” determines the outcome for a foster child.
9 November 2009
at 8:55 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

A lot of very good points have been made. I done some volunteer work, but unfortunately have had home responsibilities that have kept me tied down so i could not do a lot for many years.

I have had many friends and people who worked for me that were regular volunteers, and in listening to them, I found some things they said that might help us understand what encourages people to develop the habit of volunteering, or get into a group that they join regularly to do so.

1) Having friends that are doing it to introduce them to it.
They hear their friends talk about it, are encouraged to join in. If they want to spend more time with their friends, they go. Then they find out how much pleasure is gained by sharing the gift of giving with people you care for. This holds true for any age group.

2) Ditto about with youth church groups, regular school groups, some family events.

3) Everyone does things that they get something in return.
Many have mentioned the responses of those they are 'helping', and how heartwarming it is.
But how about those volunteers who need something completely outside of their everyday routines for their own emotional support or human connection?
The business man who works all week with others who are so competitive he can't begin to be a human being during the work day, and a family that he needs to be the husband and father to all the time, seldom just a man/individual-being.
Stepping 'outside that circle' for 5 hours once a month, with the same people each time to do a regular chore, banter about whatever as they do something good, can be a real boost.
Same with women, young adults.

And after the children have left the nest, couples have their own hobbies, or maybe are now divorced. Add in Seniors.
People who could use something outside the home to make regular connections with people, but maybe they don't want to go to church as they aren't religious, or the hours don't suit their needs.They don't want to 'sit still and listen'.
They can find an organization that has a fun group of volunteers that meet regularly, of all ages that they get to know, share a laugh while they work, share some daily stories then go home again feeling like they were part of the world for a while, contributing, without the gruel of the 9-5 schedule.

cont..
9 November 2009
at 8:55 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

4) How well the volunteer situation they are at is organized and who they end up working with. I guarantee the charities that get the most volunteers have the main people that are cheery and kind that draw people to them and are very welcoming and encouraging.

If they get there, things seem to be organized, something they can handle, no one is a jerk demanding…it's pleasant, the better the chances they will want to return.

If there is no planning, they come in, wait around, not much gets done, they were too cold, no chairs and if they had been told they would have brought one (or enough for everyone)..you get that idea too.

One awful experience can sour some people for a long long time. Or that place could loose that person, and they could in turn tell others..negative publicity. If a sitter tells everyone your kids are brats, it's hard to find a sitter, right? LOL.

5) smoking/vs non. everyone of course has their own side of that one.

6) Family/friends support. If the family dogs them for being away, taking time to go do it, then they find it harder to do so. If the date complains about how they are 'taking one more day away from them' nag nag nag..

I don't see a lot of husbands volunteering to watch kids so the wives can get out to go do more things, and I hear wives complaining that the men don't get enough stuff done around the house, and that the men want to go out with the guys once a week. if he said, Why don't I watch the kids while you go volunteer, she'd probably say, Why don't you take that time to fix the sink I've been asking you to fix for the last 3 months?
And he would probably never offer again because he just realized he had no excuse for putting of the sink any longer. (same could go the other way too)
;;-)
10 November 2009
at 8:07 a.m.

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

multi, you could write a book on this topic I see! I believe Dena could as well. You both add a lot of knowledge and insight to what has already been written.

Dena, “One way or the other, it is an environment that is the greater influence on the child…not genetics”

I agree except in that how the individual child/person is influenced by the environment has everything to do with genetics! (does that make sense?) So in other words I disagree. ;)

I think if a child has a shy gene then if they are born into an environment that pushes them into a spotlight, their parents are stage parents for example or extremely well known - famous even, then that child is going to have an extremely rough time. Or say a child who is extremely sensitive or easily frustrated is born of parents who are harsh and discount their child's personality (maybe not intentionally but just don't understand or even notice the full extent of this). So then we have a child who has needs that are being ignored or not met.

I don't think it matters if the child is a foster child or not - too many differing things to be able to determine outcome. There are always those exceptional people. How do we recognize them early on? Why do some people continue to get up when they're knocked down time and time again while others stay down the first time.

As far as volunteering, I believe if you do it once or twice you're hooked. That feel good sensation is a mighty powerful one. Time is often a huge constraint on volunteer activity. And I agree that an aunt or uncle, grandparent, neighbor may have influenced the child in ways the parent did not. Perhaps even someone the child emulates such as a favorite performer/artist.

George, do you know the name of the KU study so we can examine it somewhat? Thanks

11 November 2009
at 10:28 a.m.

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malkasmama (Anonymous) says…

family volunteer day is on Saturday, November 21st. Come and see volunteers in action and bring your whole family to participate! We have several projects designed to include children of all ages. Contact Emily Hampton for more information at the Roger Hill Volunteer Center: programs@rhvc.org, 865-5030