ERIC Number: EJ1298287
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-1277
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Available Date: N/A
Older Adult Volunteers in Intergenerational Programs in Educational Settings across the Globe
Lee, Youjung; Kim, Young-Mi; Bronstein, Laura; Fox, Vince
Educational Gerontology, v47 n6 p247-256 2021
Intergenerational volunteerism is a global phenomenon that aids multiple generations. Considering the positive evidence of volunteering among older adults and their desire for engagement with children, it is important to explore older adult volunteers' experiences in intergenerational programs with a specific focus on the cultural and social impacts of volunteering in educational settings. Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, 43 interviews with older adult volunteers (23 in South Korea (Korea) and 20 in the United States (US) in intergenerational programs were conducted. Participants were recruited from the Beautiful Story Grandma (BSG) in Korea and the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) in the US in 2019. Three major themes emerged from the interviews revolving around the role of culture and other demographics in the experience of volunteering: (1) Benefits from volunteering with children that transcend demographic and geographic differences; (2) distinctive cultural factors lead to different experiences of volunteering in educational settings; and (3) operational and procedural differences of volunteer programs impact older adult volunteers' experiences in educational settings. This comparative research can inform the development of culturally responsive intergenerational volunteering programs for older adults and other generations in their communities.
Descriptors: Intergenerational Programs, Volunteers, Older Adults, Phenomenology, Cross Cultural Studies, Grandparents, Program Descriptions, Children, Cultural Influences, Educational Environment, Foster Care, Cultural Awareness, Foreign Countries, Aging (Individuals), Cultural Context
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
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Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Korea; United States
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