“Civic Health Index Finds America in the Midst of Civic Foreclosure”
Sep 8th, 2009 • Posted in: Research Report Nearly three-quarters of the public say they have cut back on volunteering, civic life: poll
From the National Conference on Citizenship:
“As economic distress continues through the summer and into the fall, Americans are suffering from a ‘civic foreclosure’ that is limiting the range and depth of their civic engagement, according to a new study by National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC). The annual America’s Civic Health Index, based on survey data collected in May 2009, is a look at the state of civic engagement in America that reflects the impact of the economic crisis.
“The survey’s results reflect the hard choices Americans have made during the downturn, with 72 percent of respondents saying they have cut back on time engaged in civic participation, which includes time spent volunteering, participating in groups or performing other civic activities in their communities. Public perception supports this finding….
“Even though they are disproportionately affected by the economic downturn, low-income Americans are still finding ways to give back to their communities. Thirty-nine percent of respondents with an income less than $50,000 reported helping others by providing food or shelter, compared to only 27 percent of Americans with a higher income. Overall, 50 percent of Americans gave food or money to someone who was not a relative, while 17 percent allowed a relative to live in their home and more than one-in-ten took in non-relatives.
“The Civic Health Index also explored the relationship between online forms of engagement and community-based civic activities….
“…The results indicate that social engagement through church, friends, or even via social networking sites can have a significant impact in countering the negative effect of the current economic downturn on civic engagement.
“‘God, friends, and Facebook provide a civic safety net,’ said David B. Smith, NCoC Executive Director, ‘Spending time with others enhances social connections that provide resiliency in tough economic times.’
“The Civic Health Index also found generational differences. Of those surveyed, Baby Boomers had the lowest volunteering rate at 35 percent, while Millennials had the highest rate at 43 percent….
“‘We had hoped the economic hardship might trigger more compassion as people saw real suffering and needs,’ said John Bridgeland, Chairman of NCoC’s Advisory Board and CEO of Civic Enterprises. ‘While this is not true for volunteering, it is true for providing food and shelter. And people with the least means are giving the most.’…”
For the full release from the National Conference on Citizenship, Aug. 27, click here.
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