Helping Society - Essay Example

Community Service Literature Review Community service involves helping out the community in whichever way a person can; it includes engaging in all kinds of servitude for the welfare of others. This form of service however originated with a view to help people reform and bring about a change in their lives, and thus was used as a punitive measure given to offenders and criminals. This ensures that instead of whiling away their jail time, offenders actually had a chance to give back to society by engaging in service and contributing by their work to help others in need. Service ranges from a wide variety of subjects and is not exhaustive in nature. It depends upon the location and the community as well as its needs. Mostly, service includes assistance towards vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the society in their betterment. Today, community service is undertaken by almost any member of any society and not just by offenders; philanthropists, businessmen as well as students alike have the leverage to give back whatever they can and help society in their own ways. The main objectives in conducting this review was to find out the history of community service and how it helps people to reform and bring about a change in their lives, and also whether or not the same is even possible. It was found through research that many people have found it therapeutic to engage in service towards others and thus have been able to grow and learn a great deal from the entire experience. People engage in community service to introspect within their own selves as well as meet new people and help the vulnerable and weak sections of the society that we live in. This enables them to not only gain a feel good factor but also helps in bringing a smile to someone else’s face. The research conducted was doctrinal in nature. The main process for finding information regarding this review was my dependence on electronic material. The internet has been an excellent source for finding articles and journals regarding the history and background of community service as well as various kinds of community services that people have engaged in. I was able to gather a great amount of information by simply reading the experiences of others. I have also engaged in talking to people and thus collecting first hand data regarding their experiences of participating in community service. My own experience has also provided for a paragraph of information in the main article. The main guidelines that I abided by were to look over the objectives of an individual engaging in community service and why he would do so. Moreover, I looked into the background as well as looked up information regarding corporate social responsibility as a part of service towards the community by big industries and companies. The parameters and requirements that I had in mind while conducting research was to include only relevant information – especially that which is first hand in nature because experiences account for the best information regarding answers to questions based on whether or not engaging in service actually helps a person, which has been the fundamental question of an individual being a part of the community and giving back to others. I selected the sources that I have because of their credibility of information and eliminated the others because I did not find them relevant enough to discuss or read. Many articles have general information about community service, however my requirements were specific to reform within an individual and how the servitude is not meant for only those that have wronged the law. Interview 1. Why is it important to have a society with community service? Community service enables people to work for society and helps them in contributing and giving back. Since it first originated for the purpose of carrying on social service on part of offenders of the law, it acted as a punitive measure to provide the offender with a chance to give back to society as well as introspect regarding his misdeeds. Moreover, it also enables development of backward communities and groups of people. 2. How does engaging in community service help a person? Should everyone engage in such service at least once in their lives? Engaging in service for society helps an individual to understand his own potential in helping other people. Service may include absolutely any kind of work and enables an individual to discipline himself and also become aware of the reality of many situations of unprivileged classes of people. People should engage in community service at least once in a lifetime because it accounts for a wonderful experience of giving back to the society. It makes a person feel excellent from within, if nothing else, to have helped someone else that needed the warmth and comfort of another individual. 3. Should community service become mandatory? In my opinion, it should not become mandatory for people because it would lose its value completely. By this I mean that if an individual is forced to engage in serving the society, then he might not learn anything from the service. Moreover, he might not enjoy himself because he is not doing it of his own free will. Thus, people make lose their enthusiasm towards helping others and instead become averse to the idea of engaging in service for others. 4. Does community service actually help in reform? Service to the community in various forms helps people to realize their personal needs of giving to others. Many people do not learn from the experience and only engage in the same because they have to, not because they want to. In many cases, people simply finish off their service hours because they are forced to by law or any other source, however when the service is done by one’s own free will, it really helps a person to introspect and understand. One must be passionate in some form or the other and understand where he wants to give back to society. In such a case, it truly helps a person to reform. Again, a person must be willing to accept change into his own lifestyle. 5. Does community service inculcate a feeling of affiliation in a person? Again, this is a very subjective question because some people are truly passionate about their services for others. In many cases, people become attached to the service that they are engaged in and it helps them to learn new things and get inspired every day. 6. What kind of values does one require to engage in service? Taking initiatives is the core value that an individual must have. Only when one has the ability to step forward and desire to make a change can he help others. Moreover, good communication and interpersonal skills are not really a requisite, but are skills that if one possesses, one will be able to engage better in order to meet new people and understand their needs and demands. Working for others also sometimes involves getting in touch with a whole set of other people that may have access to the resources required. Thus, one may have to act as a middle man in order to get a certain piece of work done. 7. Is community service restricted to certain chores and errands? No. Community service is basically service towards a community in absolutely anyway. Services may range from working in a temple to assisting children study in a school, or even raking leaves on the road. 8. Can anyone engage in community service? Absolutely! Anyone with passion and a heart that aspires to help others may engage in the service. Young and old people alike are all encouraged to help out in whatever way they can. Read More