Should Community Service Be Required In Schools?

Should Community Service be Required in Schools?

Community service has been and still is, a very beneficial activity. It is beneficial to both the community itself and those doing it. It can assist students in discovering what they may want to do for the rest of their lives, and can help develop responsibility and time management in preparation for their future careers. There has been much debate about whether or not volunteer work should be required in schools, and from the year 1984 to 1999, a number of schools offering community service programs grew from seventeen to eighty-three percent (Millennials Rising, Neil Howe, and William Strauss). It is empowering, it can develop skills and interests, and as stated before it greatly benefits

Community service is very valuable, but due to the possibility of devaluation, it should not be required in schools. In a survey conducted in 2002 by the Council for Excellence in Government, the idea for required community service was regarded as nearly unanimously unfavorable regardless of age or academic success. High school students, aged fifteen to seventeen voted sixty-six percent unfavorable while only thirty-two percent were for required community service (2002 Survey, Council for Excellence in Government Youth). Requiring community service could result in sixty-six percent, if not more, of students resenting it. In a study conducted by Arthur Stukas, it was concluded that students who were not ready for community service could still be easily

Due to already having so much curriculum during the day, it would most likely have to take place outside of school, on students' own time. This could be very challenging for some for a multitude of reasons. Some might not have a mode of transportation, or they may have to work on their free time to support their families. Some community service events also have age requirements, which could make it difficult for some. It could be argued that time during the school day could be set aside as well, or it could be made its very own class. This poses just as many problems, if not more. It would most likely need to add more time to school days, which would still be taking free time away from students. Through a study, it also been found that there is an "overwhelming belief that volunteering would be a key to college admission" (Dennis Chaptma, Resume Padding Prevalent in College-Bound Students Who Volunteer). A solution for this issue could be found in no longer requiring community service. Students would still most likely do a lot of community service to look good on paper, but it would look even better if their school did not require the community service they have written