Volunteering with Singapore’s vulnerable seniors : what is influencing the youths’ willingness?

Abstract

As a non-welfare state, Singapore’s rapidly ageing population will require more volunteers to care for the country’s growing number of live-alone seniors. However, the volunteering rate of Singapore’s youths is generally low. This study seeks to investigate Singapore’s sociocultural factors that are affecting the willingness of its youths towards volunteering with the vulnerable seniors. Findings show that first, unlike youth volunteers, non-volunteers mostly focus on individual achievements, assume that most seniors have family members to take care of them, and over-rely on the government to support the vulnerable seniors. Second, youths generally cite interest and peer influence as their motivations to engage in voluntary work. Third, youth volunteers and non-volunteers have different perceptions of volunteering with the vulnerable seniors and of the vulnerable seniors themselves. Overall, Singapore’s youths lack information on various issues, and this study will provide suggestions on recruiting and retaining youth volunteers.