Genereation Y

Generation Y, which includes people born between 1982 and 2002, is known to be less involved in community and more sell-centered. As a matter of fact, in 2008, it was shown on a renowned TV show that people of that generation was described as ¨cynical, unaccustomed to hard work and having fragile egos because their childhoods filled with trophies and adulation didn't prepare them for the cold realities of work.¨ This generation prefers to concentrate on their studies, relationships and well-being, so that they can be successful in life. As a matter of fact, it was proven, by a study lead by the  University of Michigan, that college students from generation Y are 40% less empathic than students from 1970. There are certainly a lot of youngsters who seem to be self-centered and non-caring about anything else but themselves, but there isn't just that type of person.

Personally, I think both volunteering and service learning are good and should be valued. Community service is beneficial for both, the person who helps and for the person who is helped. First of all, the person who gets involved will acquire experience in their work field and at the same time, it is a feel good accomplishment to help people who are in need.

The best way to  encourage people to get involved in their community is, to, in my opinion, pass over the value of helping without expecting anything in return. In school, I think there should be more emphasis put on this value. Children should be initiated to volunteering at early ages ansd should be strongly encouraged at school.