美國青少年更樂於從事義務勞動
American teens are setting an example for their parents through their volunteer work, according to a new poll by Harris Interactive.
The random national telephone survey released this week by the Federal Way-based charity World Vision found that more teens volunteer to support a charitable cause - 56 percent - than have a part-time job - 39 percent.
Parents and guardians said 82 percent of the teens in their lives do something to support charitable causes, including volunteering, recruiting others to a cause, wearing a button or T-shirt or donating money. Forty-six percent of the adults surveyed said they volunteer their time, but they also take credit for inspiring their children to volunteer.
The Harris Interactive poll was conducted in the United States between Jan 29 and Feb 2 among 2,003 adults.
Sara Johnson, a teacher who advises students at a private school in a Chicago suburb, says she's seen a resurgence of teen involvement in social causes since President Barack Obama was elected in November.
The Harris Interactive survey found a quarter of teens have become more involved in charitable causes or organizations as a result of the economic downturn, but the economy has also led to cuts in allowances, and has teens working more hours at a paying job.
Unlike many public high schools across the nation, Illiana Christian does not require its students to clock public service hours. Senior Melissa Martin said some kids are too busy with other commitments like sports and music, but most of her classmates do volunteer.
Alynn Woodson, director of volunteer engagement at Habitat for Humanity International, said she has noticed a new enthusiasm among teen volunteers for the organization.
Habitat for Humanity celebrates the 20th anniversary of its alternative spring break program this year and is expecting more than 12,000 young people to help build homes for low-income people around the nation.
“哈里斯互動”開展的一項最新民調顯示，美國青少年十分熱衷志願工作，爲他們的父母樹立了榜樣。
這項於本週公佈的電話隨訪調查受位於Federal Way的慈善機構“世界宣明會”的委託開展。調查結果表明，與兼職（39%）相比，有更多的青少年樂於從事慈善工作（56%）。
家長及青少年監護人稱，82% 的青少年在日常生活中有過支持慈善事業的行爲，包括志願服務、慈善招募、佩戴志願標誌或穿帶有此類標誌的T恤衫或者捐款。而在參與調查的成年人中，僅有46%的人表示願意參加志願工作，但同時他們也因鼓勵子女參與志願工作而受到讚揚。
該民調於今年1月29日至2月2日開展，共對美國2003名成年人進行了調查。
芝加哥郊區一所私立學校的教導員薩拉•約翰遜稱，自從去年11月巴拉克•奧巴馬當選美國總統以來，學生們參與社會公益事業的熱情一路高漲。
該調查發現，受經濟衰退的影響，四分之一的青少年更熱衷參與慈善事業或慈善組織，但同時經濟危機導致了報酬的減少，所以現在青少年做兼職更加辛苦。
與美國其它很多公立中學不同，伊裏阿納基督學校對學生參與公共服務的時間不作要求。高年級學生梅麗莎•馬丁稱有些同學忙於參加體育和音樂等其它課外活動，但她們班上的大多數同學都參加志願活動。
“人類家園國際”組織的志願服務部門主管安林恩•伍德森稱，她注意到青少年志願者參與該組織的熱情比以往高漲。
“人類家園國際”組織今年將迎來其“特殊春假”項目的20週年紀念。據其預計，有一萬二千多名青少年將參加幫助全國低收入者建設家園的志願活動。
Vocabulary:
take credit for:因……而受到好評
alternative spring breank: 特殊春假項目，簡稱ASB項目，往往安排學生去需要幫助的社區從事志願服務，承擔各類具有挑戰性的工作，例如幫遭到自然災害破壞的社區造房子，輔導農業季節性工人，在收容所爲無家可歸者服務等等。還有一些ASB項目安排學生出國從事野生動物保護或去受艾滋病或貧困摧殘的社區服務等。
