And granted, some of them do, but the majority do not. Wouldn't we, as a society, be much better served if retired professionals sought second mini-careers teaching/mentoring and generally passing on their wisdom?
I'm not trying to tell people how to spend their time, but it seems that if people with some time volunteered more, we could start steering this country back toward where we want it to be.
2006-09-08 04:21:45 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
And to clear this up, I'm talking about retired people who NO LONGER WORK to make ends meet and who have had a career in a specific field and have insights that they can pass to the young.
Teenagers cannot do this kind of volunteer work because they have not had 30 year careers and thus have little to share in terms of career and character mentoring.
2006-09-08 04:43:45 · update #1
NO!! Retirement is a time for you to enjoy yourself. It's your reward for working hard and living a full life. They shouldn't HAVE to do anything....they've already done their time. They, in fact, deserve more respect than they get. For the most part, most of them deserve better benefits than they get too.
As far as passing on their wisdom, that's a great idea. Personally, I appreciate it. Most retired people have alot to offer. However, in today's selfish society, nobody cares. They don't have respect for themselves, much less older people. Their iPod, cell phone and pc are more important than other people's experiences with life. For the people who really care, all they have to do is visit a nursing home or their own parents.
As for volunteering that time, most can barely live off the benefits they receive now. Asking them to give up their free time, plus spend extra money on gas and so on, isn't fair. There's ways they should be rewarded instead of asked to give things up.
2006-09-08 04:31:55 · answer #1 · answered by HEartstrinGs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Retired people are ready to stop working. We have worked for years and years. We are tired. Having got that off my chest I think more of the retired should volunteer time at whatever is their interest. It would not have to be a lot of time just a little each week. Personally, I volunteer at a local elementary school. I act as a teacher's aide. I do this for kindergartners. I get paid in hugs and love from the kiddos. This is very satisfying to me. Others would not like it and could volunteer at a local hospital. For people with more education maybe mentoring in a middle or high school would be better for them. We all know our schools need help and more volunteers would free up teachers time to teach. There are many ways us seniors can help.When the time comes that I feel I'm just not cutting it anymore than I can really retire. Get some sleep. What ever I want, until such time I want to be busy and productive.
2006-09-08 16:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What makes you think they haven't spent their life giving back to their communities already?
I think it should be younger people who need to give more to their communities. A lot of retired people are on fixed incomes, and may have physical ailments that prevent them from going place to place at any given moment. Just because they have more time it doesn't mean it needs to be taken up with volunteer work.
If the under 50's of the world pitched in one day a week with volunteer work it would relieve a big burden on society.
2006-09-08 11:40:06 · answer #3 · answered by Chatty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is important for all people to give to the community. Teenages, contrary to your belief have a lot to offer as do retirees and the professional community.
We all live there and we all should do our part to improve the community. One of the problems we have in our world is that Older people don't belief the younger people are smart enough to help and younger people don't believe that older people are "cool" enough to know...... A melting of these two groups would develop a world so lovely that there would be no need for wars and there could be fewer laws, less crime and in general a happier nation.
2006-09-08 16:49:09 · answer #4 · answered by Chief 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
retired people? Get serious. How about teenagers volunteering their time. Maybe then they would understand why they need an education, they might get ideas for careers, and where to go in their life.
Maybe if the volunteered in hospitals they might see the horrors of drinking and driving and drug and alcohol abuse.
And as a fulltime employee, and single mother, I have done volunteer time. If I could find the time then maybe everyone should volunteer.
2006-09-08 11:29:32 · answer #5 · answered by starting over 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they should find a cause they believe in; an non-profit organization or a community service to work with; and definitely give back to their respective communities!
making theisworld a better place should be everyone's business!
2006-09-08 11:24:03 · answer #6 · answered by jeanne g 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. Would keep mind and body in better shape for them and help the communities where they live. Win-win situation!
2006-09-08 11:25:57 · answer #7 · answered by Joyce 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a thought out question - that is like asking, "shouldn't people not commit so many crimes?" or, "wouldn't the world be a better place if there was no war?"
2006-09-08 11:31:28 · answer #8 · answered by commonsense 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The younger set should give more time back, but they wont.
2006-09-08 11:28:21 · answer #9 · answered by kekeke 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only if they want to
2006-09-08 11:23:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋