Why do so few people do stuff for others out of the goodness of their heart anymore? They always need a reward

Question

You see, in my Sociology class today we were discussing volunteering and things of that nature and then the topic came up about how most people never do stuff for others unless it can benefit them in some way. This applies to celebrities and everyone else really. Celebrities seldom donate lots of money to the needy unless they'll get publicity for it. In general people don't want to do stuff unless it helps them in the long run. When "Extreme Makeover: House Edition" comes to town hundreds of people rush to go volunteer to build the house but this doesn't happen unless there is a tv crew present. Even this site proves my point that people need rewards to do stuff for others. Would you answer other people's questions if it wasn't for the points? Of course there are exceptions but most people are selfish. Why do you think this is?

I heard this one quote once and I think it's a good one to live by: "You haven't lived until you do something for someone who can never repay you.

Answer 1

I agree with you girl. Yes there are alot of greedy people out in the world. There are very few people that want to just volunteer. I am one that loves to help people and I never expect anything in return. I think this world needs more people that care for one another. I never even paid attention to the points. I just see ones I know how to answer and I answer. But Yes hardly anyone wants to help others anymore unless there is something in it for them and that is sad. This world is getting close to then end. So people want what they want and don't even care really about the ones that really need the help. They just want to be noticed. Hope that helps. It Is Sad How People become that way.

Answer 2

Well by a religious account when man fell from innocence we became selfish and thought only of how we could benefit. Most people are selfish because they do not realise their actual wealth compared to the rest of the world.

On the whole we are selfish and seek survival and contentment. The two are very different. we wish to eat more and get paid more and have a bigger house and less debt etc. These are all comfort reasons but still valid from anyones prespective.

It as though we have seen that time here is short and so we must gain as much as we can before we die. Although we are squandering our lives in a sense because nothing can be taken with us. But this is knind of where survival can come into it because it is our children who will benefit from the wealth we have made and will suvive on this wealth in greater comfort.
At least this is always the plan.

People still consistently give money anonymously and donate to charity. Those with the greatest wealth are also some with the lower moral and ethical standpoint and can more easily make tough business decisions for financial gain. This in turn means they can choose to donate money for increased public relations, or just for deductions in tax.

But perhaps we should not look to correct society as a whole as this is an unrealistic goal. Rather those like you, who have obviously understood this, should change how they are generous and give more where they can (be it money, time, advice or whatever). That is where you may find more of what you really seek in understanding. People often ask why we are not being generous anymore, well I say let generosity start with ourselves and we will go from there.

Answer 3

Hi Lisa,
Your thoughts are so beautifully
expressed, I wish I could give
you a reply just as, alas, it is not
possible. I've been a volunteer,
without 'ulterior' motives for ever,
and the rewards of helping others,
even though it sometimes does not
work out, are phenomenal.
I even ran a very well known
Not-for-profit Foundation (for a
specific illness) and after three
years I had to quit because I
could simply not handle the
selfishness and 'recognition'
scenario. There are many
celebrities as well as politicians
who have this disease, and
unless the cameras were
rolling, they would not lend
themselves. It was incredible!
On the other hand, the athletes
-famous ones- were absolutely
sensational and would be there
time and time again. I believe
it is because they have had
to work so hard, and continue
to do so on a daily basis, which
allows them to empathize
with those in need. The worst,
were those in the medical
profession as well as those
influential 'University Hospital'
leaders: it was a constant
'town and gown' fight.
But the beautiful part was those
with the most needs, were always
ready to lend a hand. So that
kept me going, and keeps me
going. So, cheer up, there are
lots of 'extraordinary-ordinary'
people all around you who feel
the same as you do and will
always be ready to lend a hand.
Your quote hits the nail in the
head. Hope you continue to
volunteer and convince others
to do so. One at a time, adds
up, and makes a wonderful
force!
Best wishes!

Answer 4

What are points though? They don't do anything for you and they don't mean anything. I answer questions to help people but mostly because its social and I enjoy it.

What you're talking about is altruism and its very hard to find. I used to volunteer. I tried many things. I found that many recipients were taking advantage and not actually in need or getting long term benefits. They just wanted hand-outs. I was surprised at how expectant some people were, like it was some privilege to be doing stuff for them. After a while I just decided doing things for myself was more rewarding. I still do stuff for friends and neighbors and expect nothing in return but even that has an eventual limit.

I want to be a nice, giving person but I don't want to be taken advantage of. So like many others I have become a little guarded. Nobody wants to be a doormat so maybe that's the reason for the behavior you've observed. I like to think its something like that in most cases and not just selfishness though I know there's that too. Even selfishness may have its reason. For a long time I was in need but nobody ever helped me. By hard work I pulled myself out of a whole I was born into. I never expected help and I don't have patience with those that expect it. I only wish to help those that are trying to do for themselves as best they can. Its a choice based on the fact that I am most capable of sympathizing with certain types of people, those that try.

When the opportunity to do something nice comes up, I still do it and I have been the recipient of such acts. People are basically good. The incentives you speak of in most charities bring out a bad side of many people I think and it can be misleading. I probably sound like I think charity is bad, I don't really think that. Its just there is a downside to it we don't really talk about. In a perfect world, charity would not be necessary.

Answer 5

Well let us face it. With the event of Globalization the world is shrinking. As it shrinks economies all over the world deteriorate (as is evident), thereby leading to limited resources. Aggressive advertising campaigns indicate that there are far more sellers than buyers. More people are unemployed and world crime is on the rise.
With all of this said, people will want to preserve and become very protective of their resources (money, time, energy and commodities) and also their families. It is a world where it is now every man for himself. Everyday you hear on the news of another bizarre killing and because we do not want to become the next victim we keep to ourselves and are AFRAID to let anyone into our homes or lives, afraid that we will be exploited.

Therefore, by being a good Samaritan one puts her/himself at risk. And to take a risk in this day and age, there must be some calculated or anticipated benefit to motivate an action, hence the sometime hidden need for reward

Answer 6

First i would say i always stop to answer a persons good questions, really virtual points in a virtual realm ooh I'm buying prada with them! Survival is the answer to your real question if i had two apples and you had none, and there was a terrible drought and people were dying like flies around me from starvation what would cause me to give you the other apple? to assure your survival at the cost of my own? What if you were someone i didn't even like? what if you had robbed me a month earlier of two apples and came back for more? What if you were foreign? In human survival even parents will eat their young in order to survive in the worst of circumstances. Common goals and common desires are the glue that binds community mindsets, when society fails so do the niceties. Great question by the way!

Answer 7

it doesnt matter if anything is out of the goodness of our hearts anymore, this world is already too screwed up to fix so helping people whether we get a reward or not, not only does it not benefit ourselves, but the whole world in general gains absolutly nothing besides publicity and more news that not too many people care about

i am not saying that i expect a reward everytime i help someone, however you have to admit that whether you get it or not, that act itself is your own reward

and its not like we ask for one, when i first started Yahoo Answers, i didnt know about the point system until i researched it, so yes there still are people out there who do things out of the goodness of their heart, but then again there are those who spend valuble time...well waste it ....thinking about other peoples problems when there are so many other issues that are much more important...

let me adress 9/11...none of my family members or anyone i knew died in that event...so therefor i have no business providing my earnings for those who are not relevant to my life...that was an accidental tragedy that the government is responsible for paying off fully...

other things such as homelessness, and poverty, and starvation in poor countries, and many other issues,

why those my friend, are the ones that no one is helping...and the reward you ask

well you'd be saveing a country a generation...isnt that more than enough?

everyones different, dont worry about the indecent ones...they can help themselves they are selfish you know...so why waste our time trying to save them..?

peace...

fuzzy...

Answer 8

Face it, we are born selfish, as a baby, it is a part of survival. We are only taught, as a child to share and give. Only not all are taught well, at which I would called them takers, which have not learned that when you give unselfishly, things come back to us in ways that are unknown and different to each.

Also, we will never hear of those that give unselfishly unless some of us tell others. As for the celebrities, they give but everything is pubic knowledge, it just comes with the territory. and if they hide it well we will never know about it.

Answer 9

my sons school has come up with the idea of RAOKs random acts of kindness. The students get to pick a worthwhile cause to contribute to. They recently raised funds to send wheelchairs over seas to third world countries. I have always taught my son to do things for others without reward. Its something that should be taught from a young age, even picking up something that has been dropped for someone else or standing to give a seat can make someones day.

Answer 10

When I was a child, the world was SO different. Today....everyone seems to live in their own world....they think everyone owes them something. Or maybe worse...they don't even THINK of others...couldn't care less. Why don't you NOT be that way. Be the kind of person you would want to be around. People will notice this strange,alien behavior....it may set off a chain reaction....it's worth a try, friend.
I am true to the values I was brought up with. I try to be kind because kindness is good...not because of the applause I may receive. Don't get me wrong...I love applause,but that's not the reason I do good things. I do them because it is right and just and honorable. When I make a mistake, I try harder the next time. When I offend others, I apologize.
Have a good day,friend.