Volunteerism and political participation among youths: a case study in Hong Kong

Abstract

There are numerous studies in the past that examine factors, such as demographic, socio-economic, personal and attitudinal, that increase the likelihood of volunteering, among people of all ages. Who volunteers, and why? Among these are factors that are also thought to be important in fostering political participation. Early in the 1970’s, studies have concluded that involvement in voluntary associations provides opportunities for equipping with the necessary skills, strengthening of social networks and enhancing one’s awareness and interests in public issues. These in turn facilitate volunteers’ subsequent political participation as they become more activated politically. This is further explained and exemplified in a more theoretical framework of social capital since its emergence, and attracting widespread discussion.

Sociological and educational studies among youths, mostly aged 15 to 25 years, found that they tend to be apathetic and inert towards political participation, making the political outcomes of volunteering appeared highly variable. Meanwhile, literature from many Western countries show conflicting results on the relationship between volunteering and political participation, both being essential elements of active citizenship in civil societies.

Social capital scholars focus on shared values and norms, trust and reciprocity that generate and accrue as individuals interact with each other. Therefore it can be hypothesised volunteering should build social capital that contribute to both voting and non-voting political activities. On the contrary, observational studies, especially in the field of education, showed that many youths think their volunteer work is simply a form of helping others in need, or even a stipulated requirement in their high school curriculum, without considering its impact upon their positions in the broader civil sphere or community.

As a consequence of the increasing prevalence of volunteerism parallel to government policies in many places worldwide, especially with respect to young people, who are at an age when significant civic and political identities are being developed and shaped, this apparent paradox between youth volunteering and their political participation is increasingly being studied. There is little study on the relationship of youth volunteering and their political participation in Hong Kong. My study is to assess the relationship between youth volunteering and their political participation using a multi-dimensional theoretical framework, taking into consideration of social capital and non-social capital factors, and methodologically adopt a quantitative analysis of findings from a self-administered questionnaire to volunteers of a youth organisation in Hong Kong. Empirically, this study also serves to describe the present profiles of youth volunteers in Hong Kong, together with their volunteering and political experiences.

The results from this questionnaire survey show that youth volunteering is associated with political participation in Hong Kong, and factors that may enhance political participation among these volunteers are also identified.