ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 26, 1996 TAG: 9612260037
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
THAT THE media might at times foster distorted impressions of youth does not necessarily imply bad intent. Much of the problem is with the nature of news itself: As applied to adults as well, news typically is about events and trends that are outside the ordinary.
As a result, teen-agers who get into trouble with the law tend to draw more coverage, especially on crime-fixated television news, than your average good kid preparing to join the ranks of responsible citizens. Meantime, a lot of the positive news that we do print may not register as vividly or memorably as negative stories.
Juvenile delinquency, truancy, teen pregnancy, academic failure, the rise in drug use, vampire cults and the like - these trends are news, of course. But it's important that they not be allowed to deform or stereotype Americans' images of youth. Enough geezers already are convinced that kids today, with few exceptions, are spoiled brats who care about nothing but themselves.
This stereotype is demonstrably false. Consider, for example, the good news in a recent survey on volunteerism in America. Between 1991 and 1995, the rate of teens volunteering to help needy neighbors or civic or religious organizations grew by 7 percent.
According to the study (sponsored by Independent Sector, a volunteerism-advocacy group), 59 percent of America's 22.5 million teen-agers now volunteer time for good causes.
A few findings from personal interviews in the survey are worth underscoring. First, teen volunteers say the greatest benefit they reap is "learning to respect others." Second, those who volunteer as kids are more likely to volunteer later in life. Third, teens who volunteer say they were influenced by adult role models - parents, teachers, clergy - who also volunteer.
This last point is especially important, because the survey suggests that those who volunteer typically are asked to do so. That is why adults who get teens involved in community service are themselves performing such an important service: Young people who learn respect for others develop more respect for themselves. The trick is to set up a structured environment that facilitates their volunteering.
One of the best local examples of this theory in action is Roanoke's Teen Outreach Program, a tiny initiative operating in city schools under the auspices of Family Service of Roanoke Valley. In addition to sponsoring sessions on various life skills, TOP gets academically at-risk high school freshmen and sophomores to spend time with kids at an inner-city elementary school and with the elderly at a nursing home.
The results, in comparison with similar students not granted a place in TOP, are tracked. And they are impressive, ranging from improved academic performance to reduced contacts with the law.
It's called service learning - learning by helping others - and the evidence suggests it works. TOP, and initiatives like it, might be more widespread if more people were acquainted with rising youth involvement in community service and the resulting benefits for everyone concerned. The good news should be spread.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB