Today, Explained Why volunteering is worth it
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Nov 27, 2024 
Rachel Cohen, a Vox journalist skilled in addressing social issues, shares her personal volunteering journey. Robert Putnam, a retired Harvard professor and author of 'Bowling Alone,' discusses the decline of social connections in America. Together, they explore how individual volunteer efforts, no matter how small, combat systemic problems and enhance community bonds. They delve into the shift in attitudes towards volunteering among younger generations and highlight the life-enhancing benefits of social engagement, emphasizing its critical role in combating loneliness.
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Initial Skepticism
- Rachel Cohen initially viewed volunteering as pointless.
- She believed it wouldn't create significant change and might even be harmful.
Occupy Wall Street's Impact
- Individual actions were critiqued during the Occupy Wall Street era.
- This led to skepticism about volunteering's effectiveness.
Declining Volunteerism
- Volunteering rates have been declining, especially among younger generations.
- Gen Z volunteers less than Gen X, according to AmeriCorps data.
