In a world where economic inequality seems insurmountable, one might wonder if simple, unpaid acts of kindness can make a difference. A recent study by Sessions and Zangelidis (2024) suggests that they can—and highlights the significant role women play in this effort.
The Motivation: What Drives Volunteering?
Volunteering is a global phenomenon, with one in every ten people giving their time to causes they care about. But what prompts such generosity? The study delves into this issue, with a special emphasis on gender dynamics and the larger socioeconomic backdrop of income inequality.
Women are more likely to respond to persistent income disparities by doing more unpaid volunteer labour. This might be because they have a deep-seated aversion to inequality and see volunteering as a practical and personal way to bridge the gap. Men, on the other hand, are less likely to change their volunteering habits in response to income disparities, which could be due to time constraints or different social expectations.
Key findings: Women are agents of redistribution
The study used data from the British Household Panel Survey, which has over a decade of information on people’slives in the UK (1996–2008). It focused on two important questions:
- Is volunteering seen as a way of income redistribution?
- How does gender affect this perspective?
Women in regions with higher, persistent income inequality were much more likely to volunteer, both in terms of the likelihood of doing unpaid work (extensive margin) and the frequency with which they volunteered (intense margin). This behaviour demonstrates a proactive attitude to promoting social fairness.
For example, the study found that a one standard deviation increasein the mean regional Gini coefficient—a common measure of income inequality— is associated with a 4.2% increase (above the mean) in women volunteering. Men, on the other hand, displayed no change in volunteering despite similar economic conditions.
Why Women Volunteer More
The study's findings are consistent with other studies on gendered prosocial behaviour. Women are more sympathetic and altruistic, making them particularly sensitive to societal inequalities. Volunteering allows people to act on these traits,which ultimatelybenefitstheir communities.
Furthermore, the study found that women with higher household income were more aware of inequality and used their relative advantage to give back. This pattern emphasises the possibilities of volunteering as a grassroots approach of redistribution led by individuals rather than organisations.
Implications: Volunteering as Social Glue
In a period of growing economic inequities, thisstudy presents a promising perspective. Volunteering is more than just a selfless deed; it is a kind of activism. Volunteers, particularly women, contribute to a more equitable society by devoting their time and energy.
However, the gender disparity in volunteering raises questions about social norms and expectations and the pressures placed on women to "fix" systemic disparities through unpaid labour. Addressing these disparities should entail encouraging increased participation in volunteering among both genders and advocating policies that support this effort.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
This study provides insight into the role of unpaid volunteerism in addressing inequality. In a world facing significant economic challenges, the findings highlight the value of simple acts of kindness and their potential to positively influence society. Volunteering emerges as not just a way to help others, but as a step toward fostering a more egalitarian society.
Reference
Sessions, J. G., & Zangelidis, A. (2024). Volunteerism, redistribution and gender. Scottish Journal of Political Economy, e12410.https://doi.org/10.1111/sjpe.12410
