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 Youth experts say the label of selfishness that has been given to an entire generation of young people is a myth.
New Zealand Association for Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) executive officer Sarah Helm says young people actually have very high rates of volunteerism.
"Baby boomers were also called the 'me generation', which was pretty unfair given their role in challenging the Vietnam War, and fighting for social justice.
"The current generation of young people is involved in many volunteer
activities, and shows concern about social issues like climate change, not
unlike the generations before them," Ms Helm says.
If their parents, caregivers, adult role models, support people and teachers
have taught young people generosity and kindness, then those values are
likely to stay with them.
"Young people are all different. They all have their own views, interests
and concerns. Generational labels are unhelpful generalisations. Instead we
should look at the facts.
"Older people might be surprised to find that young people (12-24yrs) do
over 49 million hours of unpaid work a year outside of the home. And young
Maori give significantly more of their time in unpaid roles in the community
than other young people.
In Nelson, an annual Youth Volunteer awards recognising the contribution
young people make to the community attracted over 100 nominations in 2006.
Yet the public are often told that today's youth are violent, selfish,
implosive and disinterested. Yet this is not the case for most young people,
she said.
"We encourage adults to offer young people opportunities to participate and
get involved in the community."
Findings from the New Zealand time use survey 1998-99: Statistics New Zealand:
. The average young person 12-24 does over 70 hours of unpaid work outside the home a year. With more than 700,000 young people that is over 49 million hours a year.
. Young Maori give significantly more of their time in unpaid roles in the community than other young people.
. The average young person 12-24 spends 30 hours a year on religious, cultural and civic participation.
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