In The Service of What?

In the moral domain, service learning activities tend toward two types of

relationships. Relationships that emphasize charity we will call "giving." Those

that aim primarily to deepen relationships and to forge new connections we

will call "caring."

I feel as though using these two different titles for those who help out is a little unfair. To automatically assume that those who participate merely give and that those who participate in the long term are caring isn’t necessarily accurate. For some people whose busy work or school schedule don’t allow for much dedicated time for good cause writing a check is an easier and still efficient way of helping others. While it is most definitely true that there are those who write a check and don’t want to explore where the money or food or time is going to, can we really criticize them? I think the people who actually go into the needy community to help are caring, and they definitely must have the time to do so, but I don’t believe one person has more caring qualities then the other. For a person who works 50 hours a week and donates the money made from 5 of those hours, it’s still technically time they have put into it. I think both forms of giving are great and neither should be promoted as the better of the two. It’s hard to disagree with someone’s generosity whether it is in the form of a check, or actual time.

Those who focus primarily on charity believe

That, to be properly educated in a democracy, students must undergo

experiences that demonstrate the value of altruism and the dangers of

exclusive self-interest. They stress the importance of civic duty and the need

for responsive citizens. Volunteerism and compassion for the less fortunate

are the undergirding conceptions of political socialization associated with this

vision.

While both giving and caring are important aspects of society they provide different outcomes for the participating individual. A large check can be just as important as the time a person can give in some situations, however someone who “cares” rather than “gives” may experience a different experience and benefit from it. The ability to actually embrace a needy environment and lend a helping hand can help in the transformation from citizen t an educated and well-rounded citizen of a democracy. These people begin to learn selflessness and also form an appreciation for what they have by working with those who are in need of the given service. Charity doesn’t always result in a matured citizen but it does result in a good citizen with a desire to help others.

 We think it is better to be explicit about the numerous and different visions that drive the creation and implementation of service learning activities in schools.

"In the service of what?" is a question that inevitably merits the attention of

teachers, policy makers, and academicians who take seriously the idea that

learning and service reinforce each other and should come together in

America's schools.

The service learning projects greatly impact the students in the classroom as well as the person participating in the “service” By being able to recognize the impact one has on a classroom and even in other aspects of society there is evidence of improvement. The idea that learning and service reinforce each other is quite apparent now. After actually having a hands on approach to this servicing learning and helping out a classroom full of students I can see how actually being in the classroom is better than donating pencils. The impact one individual can have on many is quite incredible and is worth working on.