NCoC: Older Americans May be Shifting from Volunteering and Community Work to Private Helping

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Older Americans May be Shifting from Volunteering and Community Work to Private Helping

The Economic Downturn is Reshaping Civic Engagement

August 27, 2009

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In this document, Millennials refer to people who are aged 15 to 29, Generation-Xers are people aged 30 to 44, Baby Boomers are people aged 45 to 64 and Age 65+ refers to people who are 65 or older, unless otherwise noted.

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America’s Civic Health Index 2009: Civic Health in Hard TimesClick to Download PDF Document

In the past, the Civic Health Index and other surveys have generally found that older people have volunteered, voted, and otherwise participated more than younger people. This year, however, younger people (currently, members of the Millennial Generation and Generation-X) have emerged as leaders in formal volunteering: 43% of Millennials and Generation-Xers volunteered in their communities, while 35% of Baby Boomers and 42% of Age 65+ did. Similar proportions—between 71% and 75%--of people in each generation said they had reduced their own engagement, but the proportion who cut back was highest among Age 65+.

Although older people say they have cut back on their civic engagement overall and report lower volunteering rates than their younger peers, they are still helping in other ways. Sixty-five percent of Baby Boomers and 71% of Age 65+ either gave food or money or provided shelter to others who needed it. Although only 35% of Baby Boomers volunteered, an additional 38% of them provided food, money, or shelter. Overall, 75% of Age 65+ and 73% of Baby Boomers engaged in some type of helping behavior. Baby Boomers were especially likely to open their homes to others who needed it (26%). The proportions of each generation who did nothing are fairly similar and fall with age. Furthermore, Baby Boomers and those aged 65 or older were more likely to be deeply involved in community affairs than younger generations – they were more likely to attend public meetings where community affairs are discussed, and work with their neighbors to improve conditions in their community.

Baby Boomers, who had the lowest volunteering rate in this survey this year, may be in an especially difficult and yet important position in the current economic climate because they tend to juggle responsibilities for both their (now grown-up) children and their own parents. According to a 2005 study of Baby Boomers by The Pew Charitable Trusts, Baby Boomers provided substantial amounts of financial and practical (e.g., childcare, housework) help to their adult children.19 With the current recession, it is likely that Baby Boomers are feeling more pressure than ever to help their own children, who may no longer have jobs or may be unable to afford childcare or housing. In fact, there is an increase in the portion of young people living with their parents—in 2007, 50% of 18- to 24- year-olds reported living with their parents and in 2009, this figure was 52.5%, suggesting that Baby Boomers are taking back adult children in their homes.20 Thus, Baby Boomers are still likely to be helping others as much as they always have, but in a less public way this year because they are addressing the most immediate needs close to home.

Baby Boomers who are out of the labor force (retired, disabled, or “other”) are less engaged then Baby Boomers who are still working. Out of the Baby Boomer generation sampled, 23% are retired, whereas 57% are employed. Retired Baby Boomers are most likely to give food, money, or shelter and not volunteer, whereas employed Baby Boomers are much more likely to volunteer. Working may provide opportunities and networks that encourage volunteering. We know from previous research from the AARP that Baby Boomers believe they are leaving the world in worse condition than they inherited it and that tens of millions of them expect to give back to improve their communities.21 Baby Boomers are clearly finding ways other than volunteering to do so.

Americans are Helping with Food and Shelter • Low-Income and Less-Educated Working Individuals are Hit Hard

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Baby Boomers, Philanthropy, , Civic Health, Millennials, Generations, Service, GenX