Society and Culture It Is Better to Give Than ReceiveNo Really!

As the Roman calendar welcomes 2008, appeals for charitable contributions abound. Churches, charities and civic causes dependent on donors will build their budgets and project their programs for the year ahead based on the generosity of givers within our society and culture.

Some would simply suggest that this is the season for giving, but few can explain the reason for giving. Have you ever wondered who gives, who doesnt and why the difference? If so, youll be interested to know that Professor Brooks, has, as they say, done the math!

Arthur C. Brooks, professor of public administration at Syracuse Universitys Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has studied donor demographics for over a decade. His book, Who Really Cares, published in December 2006, presents empirical evidence of traits that predict and promote philanthropy.

Brooks defines charity broadly as "voluntary, beneficial, affectionate acts that have the ability to transform the giver and receiver in unique and important ways." Generosity, he declares, is mutually beneficial for the needy and the nurturing.

He readily acknowledges that the United States is a remarkably charitable nation by all reasonable standards. "The Giving U.S.A. Foundation estimates that Americans donated nearly $300 billion to charity in 2006more than the gross domestic product (the annualized value of goods and services produced within a nation) of all but 33 countries in the world."

However, he has discovered that giving is a way of life for some and woefully absent among others in our society and culture. He describes two distinct AmericasCharitable America and Selfish America. The givers of Charitable America are more likely to give both formally and informally to sacred and secular causes, volunteer their time for church and charitable institutions, donate blood, etc., than their nongiving neighbors.

"Although 225 million Americans give away money each year, the other 75 million never give to any causes, charities, or churches. Further, 130 million Americans never volunteer their time."

Professor Brooks explains that race, gender, ethnicity and age are unable to help us understand the causes of charitable giving. These innate characteristics dont address the reasons why people in our society either give or choose not to give of their time and money. Even income and wealth do not tell the whole story. Reminiscent of how Jesus was impressed by the willingness of the widow to offer her meager mite, Brooks calls our attention to the generous giving of the working poor families in America.

"The difference between givers and nongivers is found in their beliefs and behaviors. Four distinct forces emerge from the evidence that appear primarily responsible for making people charitable. These forces are religion, skepticism about the government in economic life, strong families, and personal entrepreneurism."

If you actively attend a house of worship, believe that you and not the government are your brothers keeper, have grown up in a home watching your parents volunteer and give to church and community and work for a living, then you are part of Charitable America. Remove any one of these characteristics common to givers, and you start the process of relocating to a residence in Selfish America.