Community Service– A Dreadful Task or Beneficial Event?

Community Service—A dreadful task or a beneficial event?

            The issue of community service as a graduation requirement has recently plagued the American School System.  Community service as a public school requirement demonstrates beneficial to students since it promotes an exemplary community environment, fashions a sense of self-worth to the student, and magnifies better character traits. 

            Community service promotes healthy environments, both aesthetically and behaviorally.  Currently, many private schools require this service for graduation, one of which being the Dalton School. Their claim is that community service “must be done. “ Additionally, this school states that community service promotes “benevolent action” that is “essential to the survival and prosperity of any community”. According to the school’s philosophy, many aesthetical and behavioral benefits come to the community.  I agree fully. As a Boy Scout, I am required to do community service. I find it beneficial to creating stability in my community, through an increase in aesthetical beauty and also an increase in youth involvement. I am also provided with a good set of morals through my service, which make me inclined to continue doing community service in the future.  The Detroit News reported that John Prueter, a youth who helps the elderly of his community, brightens his day as well as the seniors’ day through his service. John exclaimed to the news that he “became interested in the field because of his volunteer work. “ Therefore community service helps create a more stable, more success driven individual, and helps prepare him or her for their future careers.  In light of the aforementioned, community service is clearly proven not detrimental, but rather beneficial, to the aesthetics and well-being of the community.

            Many teenagers are in a moldable, unstable period, in which self-esteem stays depressingly low. Community service, however, fixes this self-worth problem. Hugo Lopez conducted a study demonstrating that teens (15-17) are unlikely to do service. According to Lopez’s study, age is directly proportional to favorability of service. I have built many park benches, gardens, fountains, and even a gazebo, through my work as a Boy Scout. Every time I pass one of my projects I gain a sense of great pride and self-worth.  Making a difference creates a wonderful feeling that all students should experience.  Willie Grothman created a service organization as a joke. Suddenly, the club began to achieve value. Grothman proudly said” we made something of it, which is more than a lot of school clubs do.” Mr. Grothman did not have legitimate community service in mind, yet he and hundreds of students created self-worth for themselves. This new-found work ethic and self-worth will follow them throughout life.  Thus, community service is excellent for raising—normally low—self esteem.