Economic stress causes civic participation downturn
As America continues to find itself in economic distress, civic groups are seeing their volunteer numbers dwindle.
“The economic crisis has triggered civic foreclosure,” said Michael Weiser, NCoC Chairman, “The good heart of Americans is still very evident, though, as they refocus on basic needs.”
In a study by the National Conference on Citizenship, 72 percent of respondents said they have cut back on their time spent volunteering or spent with civic groups. The survey also found 66 percent of Americans feel others are looking out only for themselves, while only 19 percent say they see people looking out for others.
People are giving back though, as the study says 39 percent of respondents with an income less than $50,000 provided food or shelter to others. Only 27 percent of Americans with higher wages donated. Americans are also looking out for those outside of their family. According to the study, 50 percent of those who participated donated food or money outside of their family.
The report also looks at other indicators of civic health. The majority of Americans feel they are disconnected from their government, with 45 percent reporting they feel able to understand politics and government.
While the majority of respondents voted in the 2008 Presidential Election - 78 percent - only 12 percent contacted elected officials about issues that candidates discussed during their campaigns. However, Americans are discussing issues, with 33 percent of respondents saying they tried to persuade friends about an issue.
The report uses three tiers of indicators to show what Americans use to inform themselves about civic opportunities. The first measures volunteerism rates, the second looks into how people keep informed and the third explains what Americans find trustworthy.
And even though 70 percent of respondents feel their vote matters, their faith in government and the press is far less positive. Only 26 percent feel government in Washington does what is right and only 10 percent have “a great deal” of trust in newspapers. Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they have some trust in newspapers.
NCoC Executive Director David B. Smith said this could be due to an increase in trust social networks such as religious groups and Facebook.
“It leaves us in a very precarious position where we’re very cautious of those in charge and put much more trust in our social networks and friends,” said Smith.
Respondents also expressed their political views in various different avenues of communication. Forty-five percent communicated their beliefs through email, 32 percent tried to talk with someone about why they should vote for a candidate or party, 18 percent used campaign buttons or stickers, 17 percent discussed issues on social networking sites, nine percent wrote on someone else’s blog, and five percent wrote either on their own blog or to a newspaper or magazine.
Americans who participate in social actives also report performing more civic activities. Forty percent of those who responded and attended religions services increased their civic participation.
“God, friends, and Facebook provide a civic safety net,” said Smith. “Spending time with others enhances social connections that provide resiliency in tough economic times.”
