The best way to learn is by ‘doing’.
So how do you begin? Get your reluctant teen to sign up for volunteer work, get involved in a community cause.
The 7 ways in which you can build the character of your teen through community work are –
1. Fostering empathy and compassion.
Any form of community service exposes the teenager to diverse communities, groups, causes and perspectives beyond the protective environment of their home.
It broadens their knowledge about the conditions of which they were unaware of. It allows them an opportunity to explore and understand the struggles and experiences of others.
This builds empathy and compassion in them. Be it a clean up drive, distributing food packets during emergencies or helping senior citizens, each of these activities contributes to keeping them connected with real world issues.
2. Develops a sense of responsibility
Another thing teens learn about is responsibility. Doing volunteer work is not all fun, play and Instagram moments. It’s also about rolling up their sleeves, pitching in, doing their bit and sharing the work.
This teaches them about accountability, focus, commitment and following through. Their work has direct impact. Therefore lagging or slipping up may lead to unpleasant consequences.
Teens learn about the importance of being reliable, taking responsibility seriously and feeling connected to the cause as they can see how their actions impact the outcomes.
It’s their first exposure to the real world of adulthood and it’s grim realities.
3. Enhancing social and communication skills
Volunteer work provides them opportunities to interact with different people – other volunteers, organisers, sponsors and people who need their help.
This develops their social and interpersonal skills. They learn how to communicate effectively with others.
Not just that, it teaches them to work as a team, improves their collaborative skills and nurtures their leadership abilities.
This cannot be ignored as these skills are essential when they step into professional roles as adults.
4. Nurtures Self-esteem and builds confidence
Being a part of a community that’s working towards positively impacting the world has a way of boosting the young teenager’s self-worth.
They feel they’re part of something important and that their work matters. This builds their confidence and creates a positive image of them.
This recognition of their work, being able to complete their project helps them to believe in themselves, their capabilities, and reinforces their self-worth.
5. Develops a strong work ethic
As their confidence in themselves grows, so does their need to better themselves.
This helps them to develop work ethics based on values like hard work, dedication, perseverance and commitment.
They no longer fear challenges. They feel confident about taking on tasks whether they’re easy or they need sustained effort for long periods of time.
Their volunteer work opens their eyes to the real world and they want to be prepared for it.
Developing a strong work ethic will benefit them in their academics when at school, and later when they start with their professional roles.
6. Promotes civic engagement and social responsibility
By taking on volunteer work, they’ve begun on their path of awareness. Their interactions with a cross section of people and causes develops an understanding of their role in society.
This develops their civic sense and social responsibility. They feel like doing their bit as members of their society.
Unlike their peers, they understand from their experience the meaning of giving back and sharing with others.
This is a big step as it nurtures a connection which can be productive when they see the long-time impact of their actions.
7. Building a positive identity
Your teenager may have volunteered for a cause to get some extra credits or complete some school project. But they had not realised the impact of this one decision.
From building their confidence, sense of responsibility and empathy, it gradually builds on their values and beliefs.
It defines their moral compass and builds a positive identity for them.
They can no longer make random or thoughtless ethical decisions because they know better.
Their integrity and commitment, along with their other values, makes them positive contributors to the society.
Your young teenager’s at the crossroads. From a child well protected from the realities of the world, they’re now getting ready to become a part of the same society. You can teach them all you like but it’s never enough.
Volunteer work is a positive personality developing journey. They learn about the ways of the world yet they also gradually build on the values and skills that will help them navigate the maze.
Building strong work ethics and good values will make them good future citizens, who have the power to bring about the changes that can improve the world they’ll live in.