If you watch reality television or read the entertainment news, you've noticed that almost every show tends to stir up controversy. The new reality show on Bravo, "NYC Prep," is no exception; however, this storm has extended beyond Hollywood and has now clouded the realm of community service.
The Connection between Reality TV and Community Service
"NYC Prep" focuses on six teens, ranging from 15-18 years old. Blogging on Woman Around Town, Allie and Josh (both previously active in the NYC Prep scene and now college students) describe the connection between "NYC Prep" and community service. They write,
"Reflecting candidly on her ruthless quest to get into Harvard, Camille [one of the six teens] this week on NYC Prep explains that she needs more community service work on her record so as to not 'under-exceed' expectations.... Camille's mother has driven her into an absurd quest to pack on charity work to her college application, demonstrating the notion instilled early in Upper East Siders' lives that community service means picking out dresses to be featured at charity fashion shows. The straight line from teenage fundraisers to adult socialite galas is very real among wealthy Manhattanites; one might hope that energetic teens would engage in real community work before retreating to boardrooms and ball gowns. We must admit, though, that Camille's sycophancy in reaching the teenage board of Operation Smile is highly entertaining."
The teens in "NYC Prep" strive to highlight their maturity positively during every episode. With that in mind, shouldn't they realize that the show will be edited (i.e., think before you talk)? I watch purely for the entertainment value it offers, but I've become upset with how the series devalues community service; it's used merely as a pawn to ensure entry into an elite school. Of all the teens, I believe that Camille, a junior in high school at the time the show was taped, is the only character who discusses honestly her ulterior motives for volunteering: she wants to perfect her resume to guarantee her acceptance at Harvard.
So Why is This Upsetting?
The emphasis placed on engaging in community service during high school is intended (I would hope) to instill an attitude of social responsibility among American students; it was never intended as a means to pad student resumes.
Clearly, if people care so little about volunteerism and advocacy, should community service indeed be required by most schools as a graduation requirement? What proportion of those who go to college with "community service" on their resumes continue to volunteer after they begin their higher education? If the percentage is low, then I believe the time is right to rethink our community service system.
As part of the non-profit community, I realize that one of the biggest struggles we face is getting young adults to care about causes; i.e., community service. Why is this so difficult? Are young adults desensitized to caring about advocacy organizations because they believe they have already paid their dues in high school?
The community service industry and the work of non-profit organizations have become very commercialized, and this unhappy development is tarnishing the integrity of the work--and the change--we are trying to create. As a writer, graduate student at Harvard, and a lifelong advocate, I am standing up for what I value. While reality television may reflect the current reality, that doesn't mean we are forced to accept it.
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Disclaimer: I have nothing against the academic institutions these students attend or prep schools in general. Additionally, the problem discussed is not caused by Camille or "NYC Prep"; however, the example helps to illustrate the point for discussion.
What are your thoughts regarding community service as a requirement in high school? Do you think there is a downside to the requirement?
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Students need deep experiences on which to base an application essay, combining observation skills and research with compassion and self-awareness, yet not falling victim to self-absorption that eclipses unique content that positively distinguishes the student from the applicant pool.
David Greene has blogged about Maryland's community service requirement (http://baltonorth.blogspot.com/2009/07/sun-article-on-service-learning-in.html), and now the Baltimore Sun has reported on the problem (http://mobile.baltimoresun.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=B806E48DB6E035316F99.3243?view=maryland_news_item&feed:a=balt_sun_1min&feed:c=maryland&feed:i=48300536&nopaging=1) of tracking class project hours instead of awarding academic credit for learning.
It's such a shame since service learning is applied and facilitated learning, a process that involves learning about an issue and its context BEYOND the classroom; finding out what help is needed; selecting and working on a related project that is expected to help significantly; and analyzing whether the project did help, as facilitated, but not dictated, by a teacher. (Then continuing staffing, institutional commitment, and resources continue the cycle with the next class and its project.)
My high school did not require any community service hours but I and many of my friends kept ourselves very busy with a variety of community service work for years before considering college applications.
With this issue I do not think there is a right or wrong. While some students may obviously feel they've paid there dues to society after completing the minimum hours in high schools, for others it is an impetus to a lifetime of work. If a student can find a certain interest or passion in their work they are doing, it can be very fulfilling and for others it may just be a resume filler.
This article and comments were highly thought provoking. Great work, Carolyn!
I enjoyed reading your article very much.
We cannot depend on the government to fix all of the problems in the world today. I feel encouraged the change is on the horizon with the new administration and the emphasis that it has placed on giving back, but only time will tell.
The world is so fortunate to have people like you, Ben, Jamie and Whitney and countless others who work tiresly to make the world a better place.
As for reality TV, I do not watch it and think the worls would be better off without it.
Keep up the great work!!!
It's so easy to become a bystander and watch cultural issues or a simple comment about community service on tv and not react, but if we continue to sit back we are in turn fueling the problem.
This is an outstanding article that has inspired some very thought provoking comments -- great work again!
This is a complex argument that only touches on the surface of much deeper issues in our country, in our education system and in our media.
I want to take this argument one step further and say that instead of "forcing" high school students to complete community service, (which simply places a band aid on the problem of apathy and self-centered ethos) why don't parents, teachers and administrators "strongly encourage" and guide young adults to find a cause for which they have a passion and WANT to get involved?
I have not watched NY Prep, but I am saddened to believe that the parents have not taken enough time to sit down with their children and to ask them what they want to change in the world and why. If the teen is only concerned with getting into college, then the problem is beyond what is fixable at the high school level -- the problem is with the parenting and with a society that does not promote social service like it does wealth and fame.
I feel so fortunate to have found such a great organizations like First Descents and CCC (www.cccscholarships.org) to spur my passion for helping others. It has made my life so much better, and I feel sorry for those that only have a passion for helping themselves.
Thank you Carolyn for writing such a thought-provoking article!!!
Community service wasn’t required of me when I was in high school, but I did it on my own accord and it was a great learning experience. To me, community service is synonymous with volunteering and by mandating it, the definition is contradicted. However, regardless of motivation, the community is receiving some benefit which may outweigh any potential downsides.
With that said, if it is a prerequisite for graduation, it should not play an important role in college admission since there’s no way to distinguish between those students who were involved because they care and those who merely had to. I’m also not sure how much volunteering or community service is an indicator or predictor of future college success as are other factors like grades and curriculum, which I would think is a common sentiment among education professionals.
I agree that there is an issue with young and even older adults taking action for a cause they believe in, and I wonder if this is due to apathy, plain laziness or the unlimited number of options for how someone can spend their time.
And while I understand the reflex to disparage that action, I don't think it's particulrly useful.
Look at it this way: Would you rather have a dozen volunteers with questionable motives or two with pure hearts?
I bet your first reflex is to say the latter. But if you think, pragmatically, about how much you could get done with those dozen bodies, you might reconsider.
That's where the people in a supervisory role (you!) come in.
Modern day community service graduation requirements is akin to slavery. That's why I went on a community service trip to Costa Rico so I could get a tan while I checked off my 120 and padded my college resume.
this essentially mirrors a republican vs democrat question: collect taxes to fund social programs, or rely on the good will of the people? i say it's a bit selfish to complain about people's motivation; ask those being helped if they'd rather not have the help.
Interesting point of discussion: Does the motivation behind the act matter to those receiving the help? This can be viewed very differently. For example, Ben mentions below volunteering his time at a retirement home. If he was paired with an individual and wanted to get in and get out, I do think that would impact what the individual receives out of the community service action. If you're collecting food for a homeless shelter and provide the food -- does the motivation matter to those being helped, I don't think so. So the difference would be what is the service being provided?
When working with children in the hospital, the motivation behind someone "volunteering" their time with the children made a tremendous difference. The kids can tell who wants to be there versus who is receiving community service hours for their time. And in that case, the motivation can actually be more detrimental than helpful to the children.
Very thought provoking post! Regarding community service being required in high school -- I do think it is a good idea. I think now looking back on those times, it influenced my decision to incorporate community service as I've gotten older.
I remember "volunteering" at a community retirement center when I was in high school; that experience led me to volunteer at another retirement home while I was at college. If i wasn't "forced" into doing it in the first place and seeing the benefits of what I was doing, I highly doubt I would have done it in college.
Also when you're dealing with (selfish) teenagers who would rather sit home and play video games, you will be hard pressed to find people waiting in the halls to sign up for community service projects.
You bring up a very interesting point about your experience in high school leading to your experience in college. That is inspiring and hopefully how community service impacts others individuals as well!
TV runs in cycles, and I'm hoping viewers get fed up with the narcissistic posturing encouraged by this worthless "art" form.