Women's Experiences With Volunteering: A Comparative Analysis by Stages of the Life Cycle

Abstract

The author conducted a cross‐sectional study on experiences with and resources for volunteering among 201 Israeli women at 4 life stages: adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and late adulthood. The experiences examined were positive responses (satisfaction with volunteering; perceived contribution to others), and negative responses (burnout; difficulties with the provider organization and beneficiaries; sense of sacrifice). The resources examined were family support for volunteer activity and empowerment in volunteering. Women in the oldest group reported greater satisfaction and empowerment than did the adolescents, whereas perceived contribution to others was stronger among the adolescents than among women in the other age groups. Differences were found between the women in the oldest and youngest groups with respect to difficulties in volunteering.

Volunteer work in youth organizations: predicting distinct aspects of volunteering behavior from self‐ and other‐oriented motives

“…Second, while people in the young age bracket volunteer less than older people (Corporation for National and Community Service, ), adults are more likely to volunteer later in life when they have volunteered as adolescents and young adults (Independent Sector, ). However, Kulik () demonstrated that young female volunteers experience a greater sense of sacrifice, more burnout, and less overall volunteering satisfaction than older volunteers, suggesting it is important to pay attention to this particular age group in order to ensure their continued engagement in and satisfaction with volunteering later on in life.…”

Volunteering During an Emergency

“…Satisfaction with volunteering was examined using an 11-item questionnaire developed by Kulik (2010). Responses were based on a 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 ( not at all ) to 5 ( to a great extent ).…”

“…Satisfaction with volunteering was examined using an 11-item questionnaire developed by Kulik (2010). Satisfaction with volunteering was examined using an 11-item questionnaire developed by Kulik (2010).…”

Motivacija za volontiranje - jesu li motivi za volontiranje povezani sa spolom, ličnosti i područjem studiranja?

“…Sklonost volontiranju povezuje se s dobi posredno, odnosno povezuje se sa ži-votnim ciklusom pojedinca -faze životnog ciklusa pojedinca razlikuju se s obzirom na njegovo/njezino životno i volontersko iskustvo (uključujući potrebu za doprinosom društvu), raspoloživo vrijeme (ovisno o količini privatnih i poslovnih obaveza) te zdravstveno stanje (Wilson i Musick, 1997.;Wilson, 2000.;Kulik, 2010.). Najveći broj autora naglašava da volonterski angažman, upravo zbog navedenih čim-benika, kulminira u srednjoj životnoj dobi (Menchik i Weisbrid, 1987.…”

“…prema Wilson, 2000Herzog i sur., 1989. prema Wilson, 2000Kulik, 2010. ), kada pojedinci imaju dostatno životno iskustvo, više vremena zbog smanjenja privatnih obaveza (djeca odrastaju), još uvijek dovoljno životne energije i izraženiju potrebu za doprinos društvu.…”