Is there an urban/rural divide in terms of the scope, structure, forms, and values of volunteering?

• In Event: Understanding Volunteering and Civil Society in Communities

Abstract

Previous research on volunteering have primarily examined connections between individual level attributes and the propensity to volunteer. These include both individual characteristics such as age, education level, sex, and income as well as the values held by individuals. However, there is a small but growing body of research examining how the context in which individuals find themselves affect their propensity to volunteer (Balish et al., 2018; Paarlberg et al., 2022; Rotolo and Wilson, 2012; Svendsen and Svendsen, 2016). So far, this line of research has generated mixed results. For instance, Paarlberg et al. (2022) find that individuals in rural areas are more likely to volunteer compared to residents of urban areas, although these differences seem to be diminishing over time. Conversely, Hooghe and Botterman (2012) find that neither population density nor community size have an effect on membership rates in voluntary association in Belgium.

Recognizing the distinct challenges faced by urban and rural settings, such as access to amenities or crime rates, and acknowledging the varying interests and needs of residents in different types of areas, we believe that it is crucial to not only examine differences in volunteering rates but also to analyze other aspects of volunteering that might differ between rural and urban setting. This includes the types of organizations individuals volunteer in as well as values connected to volunteering. Thus, the aim of this study is to contribute to the research on the urban/rural divide in volunteering by examining differences in terms of the scope, structure, forms, and values of volunteering between urban and rural settings. The research question of the study is: Are there differences in terms of the scope, structure, forms, and values of volunteering between urban and rural settings?

To reach the aim of the study we will use data from a cross sectional national survey on civic engagement from Sweden that will be conducted in the spring of 2024. We will have detailed information regarding the area that the respondents live in on the zip code level. Thus, we will be able to match the zip codes of the respondents with data on the characteristics of the area. This includes information on whether the respondent lives in a metropolitan area, a small town or a rural area, median education and income, income inequality, percent of the population that are immigrants, and unemployment rates. In the analysis we will also include individual level variables such as education, income, marital status, and immigration background.

Conducting a study on the urban-rural divide in volunteering in Sweden is important for several reasons. For instance, by gaining insights into how differing contexts shape social behaviors and community dynamics, civil society organizations can develop mor effective strategies tailored to the unique needs of diverse settings. Furthermore, this study can serve as a foundation for evidence-based policymaking, facilitating the allocation of resources and the design of initiatives that promote more resilient communities across urban and rural Sweden.

References

Balish, S. M., Rainham, D., & Blanchard, C. (2018). Volunteering in sport is more prevalent in small (but not tiny) communities: Insights from 19 countries. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 16(2), 203–213.

Hooghe, M., & Botterman, S. (2012). Urbanization, community size, and population density: Is there a rural-urban divide in participation in voluntary organizations or social network formation? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 41(1), 120–144.

Paarlberg, L. E., Nesbit, R., Choi, S. Y., & Moss, R. (2022). The rural/urban volunteering divide. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 1–14.

Rotolo, T., & Wilson, J. (2012). State-level differences in volunteerism in the United States: Research based on demographic, institutional, and cultural macrolevel theories. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 41(3), 452–473.

Svendsen, G. L. H., & Svendsen, G. T. (2016). Homo Voluntarius and the rural idyll: Voluntary work, trust and solidarity in rural and urban areas. Journal of Rural and Community Development, 11(1), 56–72.

Authors

• Ebba Henrekson, Marie Cederschiöld University

• Johan von Essen, Marie Cederschiöld University Uppsala University

• Erik Lundberg, Marie Cederschiöld University, Dalarna university