At Mass on Wednesday, the priest was discussing giving alms.  In Lent, you are supposed to pray, fast and give alms which involves giving to others as an act of virtue, either materially or in the sense of providing capabilities.  He emphasized the importance of giving alms silently, not for a shout out or thanks. This reminded me of another issue I have with our current school system – the requirement of completing service hours to graduate.

On the surface it seems like requiring students to complete service hours is a good idea. Unfortunately, in my opinion, what started as a good idea, has backfired. Instead of instilling a sense of service, giving back or helping others, this requirement has created years of kids growing up thinking they shouldn’t do anything unless they get something. In this case, it is service hours. And it isn’t just the kids, it’s the parents too and I’ve been guilty of it as well.

With a requirement of 78 service hours to graduate, some kids struggle to make it. Others, like those involved in Scouts or other activities, find it easy. You get hours for doing anything from picking weeds during Outdoor Education to helping make copies for a PTA meeting. Most kids, being kids, look for the easiest way to get the hours. And if you ask a student to do something, they almost always reply “Do I get service hours for it?”

If I were to have the ear of the new superintendent, I would tell him the following:

You are not creating active citizens. You are creating brats. You are creating generations of kids who think if they hold the door open for someone, they deserve a prize. If you want to get kids learn the importance of service and being an active member of their community, this requirement needs to be rethought. How about helping kids learn where their passion lies and what they can do to not only follow that passion but share it with others? Maybe in the 6^th grade (when it all starts), they could spend time thinking through their interests and research opportunities. Each year as they grow and change, they could go through the same practice – research and try it out.

If they like music, they could volunteer to teach kids their instrument or play for folks. If they like computers, how about tutoring kids after school or going to a senior community and helping them Skype with their loved ones? Love animals? There are plenty of opportunities to help animals from supply drives to actually caring for them. You like to read? How about reading out loud to the blind? The stuff they get hours for now won’t really translate into long-term satisfying service or long term satisfaction you get from being involved in something you really care about.

I hope I’m showing by example to my kids. Showing that if you get involved in things you care about, it doesn’t feel like a chore. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Sure, everyone does the one-offs, bake sales etc. for schools and that’s important too. If you are involved with a group, you have to support it. I hope I’m showing that too. Sometimes it is a bit crazy, remembering at 11pm you were supposed to bake something but hey, that’s real life. So is the cursing that follows…

Our family project this Lent is to de-junk. A bag or more of something each week to charity. I’ve got my first bag ready and honestly, it’s less of a sacrifice than if I’d given up sweets or alcohol. But, I’m hoping the act goes beyond a religious requirement and sets an example of helping others while getting nothing in return.