Christian Science Monitor

Concerned parent Cary Bickley writes in an opinion piece in the Christian Science Monitor (July 16) what many of us are probably already thinking, if not saying out loud. Lamenting the rise of "mandated volunteerism," Bickley writes that "the demands of community service have changed dramatically" in the past decade. Service hours, she writes, have become simply another line on a college--of even high school--application, a "rat race" devoid of the worth and community spirit associated with "voluntary" volunteering.

Welcome to the newest rat race, the race for community service hours. Ask students walking for a "cure" or tutoring underprivileged children why they are there and they'll tell you, "I need the hours." Schools, particularly private schools, have taken it on themselves to legislate the good deeds of our children and by inference, we parents as well. I no longer have the time to discuss my own family's religious and moral duties with my children – we're all too busy racing from project to project putting in required hours.

What do you think? Has the competition for service hours gotten out of control? Would you volunteer or participate in service projects as much if you weren't required to? Do you already do good works in your community without marking it up on your resume? Or is the push for more service hours a good thing, giving students an opportunity and set time to participate in projects they normally wouldn't be able to?