In a message dated 96-03-12 11:57:03 EST, KOLIBAC@guvax.acc.georgetown.edu
writes:
>The never ending discussion keeps going, and I love it. If we are
>looking at culprits for the lack of civic engagement out there I'd like
>to add "economics" into the discussion. Americans are working more hours
>per week than they did 20 years ago. Instead of technology alleviating
>the pressure to PRODUCE, technology is being used to used to raise
>expectations. Just think about it, a memo that may have taken 2 hours to
>write,now takes 15 minutes. But that extra 1 hour + gets used up doing
>MORE. Some of that is our own expectations, but a lot of it is "otherly"
>generated (the corporate model comes to mind). So here is my theory:
>because we are expected to do more (in cases of white collar jobs that
>means more mental work) our capactites to give to our communities (and
>family) is taxed to the limit. And so, t.v. steps in for a quick fix
>leasure moment.
>
>what does service learning have to do with alleviating this? i believe
>it teaches us to SLOW DOWN and think about the value of face to face
>interaction. and for most, relating with people who, if life were to
>follow its "predicted" paths, you would have never come into contact
>with. serivce learning should be viewed as an intervention and
>ultimately a form of "civic association" that transcends institutional
>boundaries (whether that institution is abowling league, the masons or a
>bridge club.) There is something inherantly wonderful about recasting
>civic association in the mold of interacting with people not like
>yourself. service learning, when practiced successfully, facilitates
>that movement.
>
>regards, Chris Koliba
Chris,
Putnam's article suggests that (1) there is no good evidence that we are
working more hours (2) that professional and people who work longer hours are
more likely to be involved in community groups so that: (3) I don't believe
your argument meets up with his article. (Strange Disappearance ...)
However, you suggest that work now has a qualitative difference - that is
that is is more exhausting (see point 2 above). As a massage therapist as
well, I do tend to agree that there is more stress out there that people
carry, though I don't feel qualified to say whether this is job related or
society related (I will say that we have mostly reduced life to a shoulders
up sitting position (desk, computer, driving, phone) and that this can't be
healthy).
As for service learning - its sounds like you are saying service learning is
good in part because the work is easier than "normal" work, not as time
pressured and the like. Also, I think there are plenty of people in the
service industries who do not see any personal benefit from interacting with
people of a different background - one example being overworked county social
workers who have an average job stay of 1 year or so.
Lastly, does service learning build "civic" instiutions? If people are in
and out after a year or two I don't see this happening. If it results in
many new social bonds being created and broading existing communities with
new levels of personal interaction, then I believe it would build "civic"
institutions, but I believe you would need at least a 10 year track record to
evaluate this kind of result.
My thoughts, for better or worse, Dave Surbeck.