Class Diversity and Youth Volunteering in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This article utilizes Pierre Bourdieu's theories of habitus and cultural capital to offer some explanation as to why there is a lack of class diversity in formal volunteering in the United Kingdom. Recent studies have shown that participation in volunteering is heavily dependent on social class revolving around a highly committed middleclass "civic core" of volunteers. This article draws on original qualitative research to argue that the delivery of recent youth volunteering policies has unintentionally reinforced participation within this group, rather than widening access to diverse populations including working-class young people. Drawing on interviews with volunteer recruiters, it is shown that the pressure to meet targets forces workers to recruit middle-class young people whose habitus allows them to fit instantly into volunteering projects. Furthermore, workers perceive working-class young people as recalcitrant to volunteering, thereby reinforcing any inhabited resistance, and impeding access to the benefits of volunteering.

Occupational inequalities in volunteering participation: Using detailed data on jobs to explore the influence of habits and circumstances

“…“Habits” themselves may be substantially shaped by social background—for instance, values ingrained in childhood. Dean (2016) argues that the Bourdieusian concept of “habitus” (often understood as a person's structurally driven, learned social orientations) influences voluntary participation (although we prefer the term “habits” to avoid implying a specifically Bourdieusian approach). “Habits” could also include quite personalized or psychological factors—for instance, Rochester et al (2010) argue that some individuals don't volunteer because they lack the self‐confidence and self‐esteem to believe that they could make a useful contribution.…”

“…Nevertheless voluntary participation is socially structured. In general, formal volunteering—“giving unpaid help through groups, clubs or organisations to benefit other people or the environment” (Rochester, Paine, & Howlett, 2010, p. 21, referring to the UK Citizenship Survey definition)—is more often undertaken by those with higher levels of education and those in more favorable socio‐economic circumstances; by the younger and older rather than mid‐aged; by women rather than by men; by host‐country nationals rather than immigrants or ethnic minorities; and by those not living with disabilities (e.g., Alesina & La Ferrara, 2000; Dean, 2016; Lindsey & Mohan, 2018; Musick & Wilson, 2008; Rochester et al, 2010, c4; Shandra, 2017; Valentova & Alieva, 2018; Voicu & Serban, 2012; Wilson, 2000; Wilson & Musick, 1997). Some authors have highlighted issues of social inclusion in voluntary participation and explored strategies to reduce social inequalities in engagement (e.g., Rochester et al, 2010, c14).…”

Bridging or Deepening the Digital Divide: Influence of Household Internet Access on Formal and Informal Volunteering

“…However, this can lead to sweeping generalizations based on existing social characteristics and divisions. Based on interviews with volunteer recruiters, Dean (2016) finds recruiters target middle-class students based on assumptions about disadvantaged groups. Disadvantaged students may benefit the most from volunteering—to develop skills, to make friends, or to enhance their self-esteem—yet may not know such opportunities exist.…”

The Multidimensional Benefits of University Student Volunteering: Psychological Contract, Expectations, and Outcomes

“…Defined as activities that people do freely through an organization to help others (Cnaan, Handy, & Wadsworth, 1996), it yields many benefits to all involved parties (Cnaan & Amrofell, 1994). The literature on volunteering often focuses on the specific group undertaking such activities, including youth (Dean, 2016), elders (Dury et al, 2015), or employees (Haski-Leventhal, Kach, & Pournader, 2019). This article focuses on student volunteering as it is an interesting case of psychological contract in a multiple-stakeholder collaboration.…”