The Pros And Cons Of Volunteering

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When students graduate from high school they are expected to mature and become more independent in their lives. Some students in their late teens feel they cannot take on the responsibility that college brings. They may not be financially prepared for the cost of college or they just want to take some time to themselves and figure out who they are and what they want to do. Gap years are a dedicated year after high school when a student spends time either traveling, working, volunteering or just maturing. Many students use this time to prepare for life decisions that lie ahead. They may also use this time to enjoy themselves before the hard work of the college. They may decide to volunteer to give back to others at a time in their lives when
Teenagers today live in a world

where instant gratification and self-centeredness is widespread. Even though teenagers

often do volunteer hours or service hours in high school, it is usually to fulfill a

requirement or improve a college application. True volunteerism is when one truly gives

of themselves with no expectation of a return. Volunteering allows young adults to step

out of their own worlds and start to see others. They begin to realize the true gift it is to

give of themselves. They may even find that they want to live a life of service or choose

a career where they help others. Another benefit to volunteering at this time of life is the effect it may have on the peers of the person volunteering. Their friends may see them volunteering and see the sacrifice and joy it can bring. Through the use of social media, the person volunteering could share their experience and in the least it could help others consider the same
But it is a wonderful option for teenagers growing up in a culture that promotes ‘self.’ The value of it truly depends on the intention of it and how serious the young person takes it. If they are committed to its purpose and have a plan for after it is over then I believe most parents would support it. Having their parent’s support and approval would most likely be necessary to a degree. If they lay out their plan to their parents and show the purpose of the gap year and what they expect to learn, achieve or gain, their parents would have a much greater chance of supporting the decision. However, many parents may just let their child make the decision as one of the first independent decisions of their lives. That in itself could be a learning experience for

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