The Lasting Impact of High School on Giving and Volunteering in the United States

• In Event: Crown Plaza Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Religion, Identity, and Schooling

Abstract

Do high schools in the U.S. foster behaviors, attitudes, and identities that support volunteering and giving among their graduates? We consider the impact of religious high schools on two aspects of civic engagement, organizational volunteering and giving in adulthood, and we address the types of volunteering and community service taken up by graduates of public and private schools. Do religious schools facilitate volunteering and giving primarily for religious organizations and causes or more broadly across community causes or organizations? We find evidence of a religious school advantage in civic involvement and of substantial religious school influences on the volunteering and giving priorities of graduates. With few exceptions, we find convincing support that religious schools produce citizens active in civil society.

Authors

• David Sikkink, University of Notre Dame

• Jonathan D. Schwarz, University of Notre Dame