One of the questions I put to the young people was to try to make some sense out of the fact that young people today are certainly not insensitive or uncaring due to their volunteerism - so what causes the lack of an interest in the underlying public policy issues. The panelist concluded that community service resulted in instant gratification, immediate results could be seen. It was instant gratification for the volunteer. They got immediate results. We all know that is not so in the civic and political process.
Results are more long range.
Lack of information and skills Americans have only a limited, vague understanding of what it means to be a citizen in a democratic society. Rather, they articulate a more personalized vision of good citizenship that includes volunteering, helping others, and raising children well. Traditional notions of citizenship, which include being politically interested and involved, are much less salient to this generation. Young people suffer an information and skill deficit about politics and the process of voting. Their personalized and often vague understanding of citizenship deters them from getting involved in the political process.