What drives people to give their time freely to help others? This review explores the multifaceted phenomenon of volunteering, defining it as an activity where time is freely given to benefit another person, group, or cause. Volunteering is more than spontaneous assistance but narrower in scope than family care. The rate for the United States has been stable or, according to some studies, rising slightly. Theories explaining volunteering are examined, considering individual motives, rational action, and social resources. These theories seek to complement this focus on individual level factors by pointing to the role of social resources, specifically social ties and organizational activity, as explanations for volunteering. The study of volunteerism and of social activism have much in common. Support is found for all theories. While positive effects are found for life-satisfaction, self-esteem, self-rated health, and for educational and occupational achievement, functional ability, and mortality. Studies of youth also suggest that volunteering reduces the likelihood of engaging in problem behaviors such as school truancy and drug abuse.
Published in the Annual Review of Sociology, this review aligns with the journal's scope by providing a comprehensive overview of a major topic in sociology. This review synthesizes diverse perspectives on volunteering, addressing its individual and social dimensions.