Why the younger generation is leaving public offices and social tasks

Are old materialistic values returning at the turn of the millennium? Is the next generation more interested in their own benefit than in helping others when it comes to social issues? Only four per cent of young people between the ages of 14 and 29 are regularly involved in voluntary work. The rest refuse to do so, arguing that it "doesn't bring any money" (43%) or "costs too much time" (47%). This is the result of a representative survey of 3,000 people aged 14 and over, in which the Leisure Research Institute of British American Tobacco asked about the social commitment of the population and their attitude to unpaid voluntary work in social organisations.

"A calculated willingness to help is increasingly replacing the selfless sympathy of helpers," says Institute Director Prof Dr Horst W. Opaschowski. "Social commitment also has to be worthwhile for young people and they have to accept the question: What's in it for me?" In addition to material considerations, competition from consumer offers in the areas of TV and multimedia, shopping, cinema and eating out, as well as hobbies and sport, are the main reasons for the growing lack of time among the young generation of adventurers. There is hardly any time left for additional commitments. This is also the main argument of young people "against" social commitment: "It costs too much time!" This is particularly true for young people aged between 18 and 24 (51%). The everyday life of many young people is almost like a stress rally, which they cope with by only deciding in favour of what seems particularly important to them personally. Everything else must then take up hardly any time or "not cost any time".

The withdrawal of young people from social tasks is therefore more a decision in favour of consumer pleasure than against social commitment. In addition, so-called "voluntary work" is not perceived by young people as voluntary at all. One in six young people (17%) feel that it is more of an "onerous duty". A further 12 per cent criticise the "peer pressure" to which they have to submit. It therefore seems only logical that one in seven young people (14%) come to the personal conclusion that social commitment is no fun.

"For young people, fun means more than just fun," says Professor Opa-schowski. "Fun can also be another word for joy, pleasure, motivation and meaningfulness." Social organisations therefore need to rethink. Instead of only appealing to duty and morality, self-sacrifice and social welfare, the great potential for helpfulness that is also present in young people should be called upon and encouraged. Even in an individualised society, the desire to help others is not dying out. However, the volunteers of today and tomorrow want to determine the scope, intensity and duration of their commitment themselves. Personal interests are just as important as shared experiences. The mere appeal to solidarity and charity, on the other hand, reminds one in nine young people (11%) of "charitable stink".

The selfless, silent helpers will soon no longer exist. The new generation of volunteers includes calculating helpers ("Volunteering must also be worthwhile") as well as helpful egoists ("I'm only good at what I enjoy"). Social organisations and institutions must tolerate such a change in attitude among young people.