Socially active volunteering students: The case of student councils

Abstract

The study examined adolescents' social involvement and volunteerism in their student councils and becoming civically engaged adults. Two-hundred and two middle-and high-school students active in their councils were asked about their involvement in the student council's activities and their perception of the student council as a framework for volunteerism and social involvement. Findings revealed that middle-and high-school active members had been active already in elementary school and were involved in additional school/community volunteerism projects, and their parents were civically engaged adults. To conclude, the student council is an educational platform that promotes students to develop as socially involved adult citizens.