My research project focus remains the role of young women and the role and/or contribution they make to volunteering. I have however, narrowed this down further to the role of young Australian women and ‘what deters, or motivates them from participating in voluntary programs,’ particularly those offered domestically via Australian organisations. After careful consideration, I realised that attempting to identify the trends in volunteering in Australia in comparison with foreign exchange programs was far too vast to research, analyse and evaluate in the time-frame available. I largely believe that foreign exchanges and volunteer programs are romanticised, while similar domestic offers are overlooked. People too often believe the grass is greener on the other side, blind to the treasures offered in their own backyard. The broader aim of my project now is more personal than just examining information and analysing trends, but a method for which to reveal the value of volunteering to Australia, economically, philanthropically and psychologically.
So far during my research, I have uncovered the vital contribution volunteering makes towards the Australian economy. The greatest difficulty I have encountered however is the lack of information. Volunteering in general, is not a highly-researched issue as it is an under-valued and under-acknowledged practice. Furthermore, much of the information is generalised, very little focusing on the role of young women volunteering in Australia. There have also been skewed statistics regarding the percentile of young Australian volunteers and I intend to investigate and address this issue further with the hope of providing some clarification of the issue.
Majority of the information currently uncovered has surrounded the issue of the declining rate of volunteers in Australia. Thus, this will be a key overall issue I will discuss, with any luck providing why this is the case through qualitative data collection methods of my female peers and friends.
I am pleased with the progress my project is making. My topic is unique, and an issue that I am passionate about. I am hopeful and confident that my research will raise important discussions regarding awareness of volunteering in Australia and the poignant, yet under-represented role of young female volunteers.
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