social responsibility of youth essay

Young people hold the key to creating a better future

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Young people are the most affected by the crises facing our world.
They are also the ones with the most innovative ideas and energy to build a better society for tomorrow.
Read the report "Davos Labs: Youth Recovery Plan" here .

Have you read?

Youth recovery plan.

Young people today are coming to age in a world beset by crises. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic devastated lives and livelihoods around the world, the socio-economic systems of the past had put the liveability of the planet at risk and eroded the pathway to healthy, happy, fulfilled lives for too many.

The same prosperity that enabled global progress and democracy after the Second World War is now creating the inequality, social discord and climate change we see today — along with a widening generational wealth gap and youth debt burden, too. For Millennials, the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession resulted in significant unemployment, huge student debt and a lack of meaningful jobs. Now, for Generation Z, COVID-19 has caused school shutdowns, worsening unemployment, and mass protests.

Young people are right to be deeply concerned and angry, seeing these challenges as a betrayal of their future.

But we can’t let these converging crises stifle us. We must remain optimistic – and we must act.

The next generation are the most important and most affected stakeholders when talking about our global future – and we owe them more than this. The year 2021 is the time to start thinking and acting long-term to make intergenerational parity the norm and to design a society, economy and international community that cares for all people.

Young people are also the best placed to lead this transformation. In the past 10 years of working with the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, a network of people between the ages of 20 and 30 working to address problems in more than 450 cities around the world, I’ve seen first-hand that they are the ones with the most innovative ideas and energy to build a better society for tomorrow.

Over the past year, Global Shapers organized dialogues on the most pressing issues facing society, government and business in 146 cities, reaching an audience of more than 2 million. The result of this global, multistakeholder effort, “ Davos Labs: Youth Recovery Plan ,” presents both a stark reminder of our urgent need to act and compelling insights for creating a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive world.

One of the unifying themes of the discussions was the lack of trust young people have for existing political, economic and social systems. They are fed up with ongoing concerns of corruption and stale political leadership, as well as the constant threat to physical safety caused by surveillance and militarized policing against activists and people of colour. In fact, more young people hold faith in governance by system of artificial intelligence than by a fellow human being.

Facing a fragile labour market and almost bankrupt social security system, almost half of those surveyed said they felt they had inadequate skills for the current and future workforce, and almost a quarter said they would risk falling into debt if faced with an unexpected medical expense. The fact that half of the global population remains without internet access presents additional hurdles. Waves of lockdowns and the stresses of finding work or returning to workplaces have exacerbated the existential and often silent mental health crisis.

So, what would Millennials and Generation Z do differently?

Most immediately, they are calling for the international community to safeguard vaccine equity to respond to COVID-19 and prevent future health crises.

Young people are rallying behind a global wealth tax to help finance more resilient safety nets and to manage the alarming surge in wealth inequality. They are calling to direct greater investments to programmes that help young progressive voices join government and become policymakers.

I am inspired by the countless examples of young people pursuing collective action by bringing together diverse voices to care for their communities.

To limit global warming, young people are demanding a halt to coal, oil and gas exploration, development, and financing, as well as asking firms to replace any corporate board directors who are unwilling to transition to cleaner energy sources.

They are championing an open internet and a $2 trillion digital access plan to bring the world online and prevent internet shutdowns, and they are presenting new ways to minimize the spread of misinformation and combat dangerous extremist views. At the same time, they’re speaking up about mental health and calling for investment to prevent and tackle the stigma associated with it.

The Global Shapers Community is a network of young people under the age of 30 who are working together to drive dialogue, action and change to address local, regional and global challenges.

The community spans more than 8,000 young people in 165 countries and territories.

Teams of Shapers form hubs in cities where they self-organize to create projects that address the needs of their community. The focus of the projects are wide-ranging, from responding to disasters and combating poverty, to fighting climate change and building inclusive communities.

Examples of projects include Water for Life, a effort by the Cartagena Hub that provides families with water filters that remove biological toxins from the water supply and combat preventable diseases in the region, and Creativity Lab from the Yerevan Hub, which features activities for children ages 7 to 9 to boost creative thinking.

Each Shaper also commits personally and professionally to take action to preserve our planet.

Join or support a hub near you .

Transparency, accountability, trust and a focus on stakeholder capitalism will be key to meeting this generation’s ambitions and expectations. We must also entrust in them the power to take the lead to create meaningful change.

I am inspired by the countless examples of young people pursuing collective action by bringing together diverse voices to care for their communities. From providing humanitarian assistance to refugees to helping those most affected by the pandemic to driving local climate action, their examples provide the blueprints we need to build the more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable society and economy we need in the post-COVID-19 world.

We are living together in a global village, and it’s only by interactive dialogue, understanding each another and having respect for one another that we can create the necessary climate for a peaceful and sustainable world.

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Preparing to Participate: The Role of Youth Social Responsibility and Political Efficacy on Civic Engagement for Black Early Adolescents

Published: 08 September 2015
Volume 9 , pages 609–630, ( 2016 )

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Elan C. Hope ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2886-5076 1

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Civic engagement is critical for the well-being of youth and society. Scholars posit that civic beliefs are highly indicative of sustained civic engagement, particularly for Black youth living in the United States. In this study, I examine whether youth social responsibility and political efficacy beliefs are directly related to civic engagement and whether the relationship between youth social responsibility and civic outcomes varies by level of political efficacy among Black early adolescents in the Midwest United States ( N = 118). I also investigate whether youth social responsibility relates to civic engagement through political efficacy beliefs among this population. Findings show that political efficacy is related to four domains of civic engagement: helping, community action, formal political action, and activism. Political efficacy moderates the relationship between youth social responsibility and activism, such that the relationship between youth social responsibility and activism is stronger for Black youth with higher political efficacy beliefs. There is also an indirect effect of youth social responsibility on the relationship between political efficacy and civic engagement.

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Hope, E.C. Preparing to Participate: The Role of Youth Social Responsibility and Political Efficacy on Civic Engagement for Black Early Adolescents. Child Ind Res 9 , 609–630 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-015-9331-5

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Accepted : 01 September 2015

Published : 08 September 2015

Issue Date : September 2016

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-015-9331-5

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Role of Youth Essay

Essay on the Role of Youth in Modern Era

Youth is joy. Youth is a phase in which small children have come out of their protective shells and are ready to spread their wings in the world of hope and dreams. Youth means to cherish hope. It is a time of development. It is the time for growth and change. He plays an important role in the development of our society. He has the potential to learn and adapt to the environment. He has the capabilities to bring social reforms and improvement to society. His idealism, enthusiasm and courage cannot be matched with any other segment in the society.

Role of Youth Essay In English

Every person grows the most in their youth. People go through times of joy, hardship, worry but at the end of the day, we all become better. Youth has to be the most important part of everyone’s life, considering just how much one person can develop during these years. These years will not only offer opportunities for growth but will also help us in getting a better understanding of ourselves. This understanding of oneself is an unending process. It marks its beginning in our youth and continues to be a major part of our lives in the future. We grow as people, learn how to develop relationships, and understand the people around us much better when we reach our youth.

As kids, we take many things for granted. We take our friends for granted, we sometimes take our blessings for granted and it makes sense because the only thing that children are focused on is living. We don’t care about anything else and just want to live a fulfilling life as children. When we reach our youth, we become more goal-oriented. We prioritize our time and become more focused on what we want in life. No matter what happens or what age you reach, one must always keep their inner child alive. The child that wants to live life to the fullest. The child that wants to cherish some of the most amazing moments that life has to offer. The child laughs and giggles at the silliest things. Oftentimes, as adults, people tend to forget to enjoy life and have a good time. And that is why it is essential to continue to be that child throughout the entirety of your life.

Youth is the time in our lives that teaches us how to make decisions and start making reasonable choices for our betterment. Our youth builds our character and is a very crucial part of our development.

Youth is the part of our lives that builds our character. The morals and responsibilities that we take up and learn in this period of our life shapes our future. The kinds of choices that you make and the decisions in your lives, start having a consequence in this period. There are several ways in which the youth of a person leads to many changes in their life. Young people are energetic, enthusiastic and filled with a lot of passion. The young spirit that every leader talks about refers to the same thing. The passion and the energy in this period of our lives, when put to something very creative and useful can easily lead to developing our skills and leading us to a bright future right away.

Youth’s Roles and Responsibilities In Today’s Era

Youth and life indeed itself flashes by, in the blink of an eye. That is why you need to ask yourselves what you can do for society and the country. God has vested all power in the hands of the youth so that he can perform his duties effectively. They should start thinking positively and creatively. They must develop the spirit to refute what is wrong in society. They must realize that now is the time to take action.

Youth should not seek an easy, comfortable path. No one develops in a pampered environment. These are some key responsibilities that the young generation must inculcate in them:

Value Of Time: It is the responsibility of the youth to understand the importance of time. Every moment is crucial for them to take action so punctuality is a must.

Discipline: Youth has to understand the necessity of discipline in life. Youth is full of passion. Without discipline, the youngsters cannot work passionately.

Thinking Before Taking Action: Youth must not be impulsive. It is very important to think before taking action. This is how the youth will be able to create a thoughtful society.

Character Driven: Character builds up a nation. The young people need to be morally strong, reflective individuals and dedicated which will drive them to take corrective actions for the nation.

Fearless: The youth must be courageous in taking action. Fearless youth can fight injustice.

Goal-Oriented: The youth needs to be focused on the goals that he wants to accomplish. When the young generation is goal-oriented, then their vision and mission become very clear.

Zealous: Youth has to be energized, full of vitality. With the attribute of zealousness, the youth can help to protect the national security and interest of a country and ideological position.

Role of Youth In Building A Nation

National development is now in the hands of the young generation. The older generation has passed on the baton to the youth. The young generation has more concurrent dreams, passion and hope. Youth in any country represents the future of his nation.

For the development of the country, the young people have to be hardworking in any field they get involved in, be it teaching, farming, mechanic or any other field. Today the youth is facing challenges in employment opportunities, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS but there are chances to overcome some of these challenges. They need to take up any job opportunity that is available till they get what they want to. The young generation has to be very responsible and say NO to drugs. Youth empowerment can eradicate poverty from the country. He plays an important role in the constructive process of building social cohesion, economic prosperity and political stability of a nation in an inclusive and democratic way.

The youth of a country counts as the most important asset that they can possess. Youth is the chance for the entire nation to leave a mark on the entire globe. By making sure that the youth of a nation continues to grow with each passing day and ends up achieving some of the most brilliant things that can put their country on the top, the nation can rebuild and grow with them.

Better youth and better quality of life for youth assures success for not only the existing generation but also for the upcoming generation. Therefore there is no denying the fact that a country can become much better with the support of the youth that they have.

Role of Youth For The Change In The Society

Youth is the future of society. The young generation simply needs to renew, refresh and maintain the current status of society. When the youth contributes his ideas and energy to resolve social issues, he becomes a capable leader and can also make a difference in the lives of others. They must have the courage to resolve the mournful contradictions that are plaguing society and boldly take on great challenges without shunning the subsequent problems and difficulties that they will inevitably face.

Nothing can equal the splendour of the youth. To be young --- that in itself is to possess a treasure of infinite worth far greater than any person of power. It is the responsibility of the older generation to provide them with the right resources, guidance and a good environment so that they become strong change agents in the community. They say that the strongest force is the power of the young. And it is true because the power and the strength that the youth of a nation possesses is unmatched and does bring a chance to grow and develop not only for them but for the people around them.

FAQs on Role of Youth Essay

1. Why is Youth So Important?

Youth symbolizes hope. He can bring a change to the society and nation. The youth of a nation symbolizes the drive and will to do more and that is why everything that the youth of a country upvotes attracts attention. The motivation and hunger for success is something that cannot be explained but this is exactly what makes youth so special and important.

2. What are the Qualities Youth Needs to Possess?

Youth needs to be disciplined, morally strong, reflective individuals, and empathetic. The youth must have brilliant skills to develop themselves at all times and also skills that help them in leading better relationships with people around them in their personal lives.

3. How can Youth Build A Strong Nation?

Youth can build a strong nation by eradicating poverty, building social cohesion, developing the economic condition and political stability of a country. Youth can become a force to empower each other instead of pulling each other down. Imagine a world where every person wants the other to grow and become better. This is why we believe in the power of togetherness and unity. The youth must possess this very quality to be a force to bring a change in the society that they live in and build a strong nation together.

4. Why is it necessary for the youth to be goal-oriented?

When you are goal oriented then you become very clear about vision and mission. Goals make and contribute towards one’s purpose. The true way to find your purpose in life is by trying new things every day and finding what your true calling is. By becoming goal-oriented, people can achieve great things and become stronger and get an idea of their purpose. The youth has the right motivation and the drive to achieve unimaginable things. That is why, when they become goal-oriented, they can easily find their true calling, become powerful and successful, and help other people.

5. What are some important responsibilities of the youth?

The youth must have responsibilities like being goal-driven, zealous, and respectful. People in their youth must know how to make definite decisions that are well thought and not hurried. Lastly, the youth must be disciplined and should understand the importance of time.

Essay on The Role of Youth in Nation Building

Students are often asked to write an essay on The Role of Youth in Nation Building in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on The Role of Youth in Nation Building

The power of youth.

Youth are the building blocks of a nation. They represent the future and hold the power to shape the nation’s destiny. Their energy, innovation, and courage are vital for the growth of a country.

Nation Building and Youth

The role of youth in nation building is crucial. They can bring about social reform and contribute to the development of the nation. They are the ones who can innovate, inspire, and drive the change needed for a nation’s growth.

Challenges and Opportunities

Youths face many challenges but also have numerous opportunities. With proper guidance and resources, they can overcome obstacles and contribute significantly to nation building. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and tech-savviness can be harnessed for the betterment of the nation.

250 Words Essay on The Role of Youth in Nation Building

Introduction.

Youth, the powerhouse of any nation, is the driving force behind its development and progress. They are the torchbearers of change, innovation, and advancement, playing a pivotal role in nation-building.

The Potential of Youth

The youth possess an enormous reservoir of energy, passion, and creativity. Their ideas and innovations, when harnessed effectively, can lead to significant advancements in various sectors such as technology, economy, and social development. They are the architects of the future, capable of molding the nation’s destiny.

Education and Empowerment

Education is a critical tool in empowering the youth and preparing them for their role in nation-building. It equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to the nation’s growth and development. Furthermore, it fosters critical thinking and promotes a sense of responsibility towards society.

Youth Participation in Politics

The involvement of youth in politics is crucial for a healthy democracy. They bring fresh perspectives and progressive ideologies, challenging the status quo and advocating for change. Their participation ensures that the interests of the younger generation are represented in policy-making decisions.

In conclusion, the role of youth in nation-building is indispensable. They are the change agents, the innovators, and the leaders of tomorrow. By harnessing their potential, fostering their education, and encouraging their participation in politics, we can ensure a prosperous future for our nation. The youth are not just the future of the nation; they are its present, shaping its trajectory towards progress and development.

500 Words Essay on The Role of Youth in Nation Building

The role of youth in nation-building is paramount. They represent the future, embodying the potential and prospects of a nation. Their energy, innovation, and resilience can drive social change and economic progress. As they transition into adulthood, they carry the responsibility of steering the nation towards prosperity and peace.

Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but also the partners of today. They possess a dynamic spirit – a combination of cognitive flexibility, inherent curiosity, and a propensity for risk-taking. These attributes make them particularly adept at adapting to change and driving progress. They are not just beneficiaries of development, but also agents of change, capable of initiating social reform and technological innovation.

Education: A Key Tool for Empowerment

Education is a crucial tool for empowering the youth and enabling their participation in nation-building. Quality education fosters critical thinking, nurtures creativity, and equips individuals with the skills needed to contribute to societal development. It also promotes tolerance and understanding, which are essential for maintaining social harmony and fostering a sense of national identity.

Political Participation

Youth involvement in politics is another key aspect of nation-building. By engaging in political processes, young people can voice their concerns, influence policies, and hold leaders accountable. Their participation helps ensure that governance is representative and responsive to the needs of all segments of society.

Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Entrepreneurship among the youth can significantly contribute to economic development. By creating new businesses, young entrepreneurs generate employment, stimulate innovation, and facilitate economic diversification. They can also drive sustainable development by adopting environmentally-friendly business practices.

Social Activism

Youth are often at the forefront of social activism, advocating for human rights, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Their activism can foster social change, challenge entrenched power structures, and contribute to the creation of a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, the role of youth in nation-building is multifaceted and crucial. They are the engines of social, political, and economic development. By empowering them through education, encouraging their political participation, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting their social activism, we can harness their potential for nation-building. The youth are not just the future of a nation; they are its present, and their energy and vision are indispensable for building a prosperous and peaceful nation.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Essay on Youth for Students and Children

500+ words essay on youth.

Youth is a worthwhile phase of one’s life. The age where the age group is no longer of a child but yet to turn out to be a grown-up is the youth age. It is an age recognized by traits of heroism, toughness, muscle, stimulation, curiosity, judgmental attitude and even much more. At this stage, even though driven by fantasy or freedom and the power to choose his or her response, all must be cautiously exercised. It is a golden phase to accomplish the dual goals of intelligence and character.

A Period of Stress & Strain, Storm & Strife

Youth, in the present era, is a powerful asset of the nation possessing the abundant energy and the zeal considered necessary for the overall advancement of the same. Youth is a critical age of development, a period of uncertainty when everything is in ferment.

As a Youth is neither a child nor an adult, the personality possesses a mixture of both stages. He can be selfish at some times or turn out to be selfless the very next day. He may also turn out to be rebellious one day.

Youth develops a revolting personality and thus we can see conflicts in opinions between the family. It is also a major cause of worsening of family relations. Youth, being argumentative in nature, develop an attitude of apt rationale and judgment.

Thus, it denies accepting as true in anything without an appropriate cause following the same. It is not that there is no lack of moral awakening or his total refusal to adhere to ethical and moral standards. It is merely that he wants his every question to be answered and having his quest fulfilled, he accepts the same.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to channelize Youth Power in the right direction?

Youth is full of strength and intellectual capability, which if properly utilized could assist in turning the invisible into visible, the hardships to triumph and the hard work to success thus leading to the overall growth of an individual and the nation at large.

Following measures must be adapted to turn the youth into prolific individuals:

Understanding child psychology by the parents at this stage.
Proper guidance by the teachers
Practical representation of best ideals and values to foster moral education in the schools. Sex education is a must for better emotional development.
Minimizing the habit of excessive control and strict discipline so as to promote the expression of emotions, thus leading to suitable mental development.
The organization of extra-curricular activities to channelize the imagination in youth towards creative activities.
Preparing the youth for the cause of society by entrusting the responsibility so as to develop a feeling of responsibility in them.
A right and rationale attitude towards democracy should be developed in the surroundings. This would lead to develop the philosophy of life.

Conclusion

Youth is the golden period to cherish a big dream full of passion and energy. Although, the period is also full of adventures yet they have to be looked for with the eyes open. It is the time when we can provide shape to our ideas for the economic development of society. By encouraging to take an active part in the dramas, projects, sports and others are pretty good ways to control excessive fantasy. Also, it is the time to move towards the destination which can be made possible through vocational awareness and critical study of individual differences.

Mixed with responsibility and fun, new environs, excitement, thrill, applauses, and regrets, it has a huge significance in one’s life. It is time to achieve wisdom in addition to knowledge.

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Importance of the Youth voices and opinion in Improving the Quality…

Cbse vs icse syllabus – which board is better and why, the indian education system: good or bad, linguistic imbalance in higher education, lack of practical knowledge in higher education, ias without upsc: what exactly is lateral entry into the civil…, pre-school teachers deserve more respect and appreciation in terms of ‘salary’, 6 steps to establish yourself as a freelance writer, how unpaid internships exploit college students, 5 career options to choose if you know french language, social anxiety disorder in young people, 5 health issues that are quietly affecting college students, why is depression at an all time high among teenagers , 5 things everyone should know about menstrual hygiene, yoga for youth, importance of social responsibility in youth.

When I write this the first person to strike my mind is my own cousin brother – a meritorious student who took up science and performed quite well until something really changed. One who put hours and every tiny tissue of his brain into solving mathematics and physics’ problems unexpectedly decided to take a complete turn from his aspirations to become an engineer to that of a social activist. We don’t understand, till date, what really altered his mind but all that jazz he does now is something we have never failed to take pride in. He had the courage and grit to plunge into a field which might not have given him what a ‘safe’ job bids but it surely gave him the personal satisfaction we only yearn for – to touch our imaginations closely, change people’s lives and be remembered.

Importance of social responsibility in youth

Although we presume that my cousin brother drew inspiration from his own mother who was a social activist herself but I have understood not everyone needs someone very close to be enthused for being thoughtful of their social responsibilities. The power of empathy in today’s generation has been somehow underrated but there are young empathizers in good numbers and not all of them adhere to selfishness or a closed mindset. It is us who need to open the doors to the potential of so many youngsters which will eventually make a difference in the society.

So what is this social responsibility we are talking about? It is the adolescents’ embracement of their individuality amidst the clarification of one’s part in a broadening social framework. In detail, it is the acknowledgment of the value of each decision one takes; being compassionate to everybody else including self; establishing a sense of control and competitiveness with each growing step; being enlightened about human rights; understanding the importance of getting involved in others’ matters through humanitarian works; working on to develop a sense of leadership with shifting time pattern. But I must mention that social responsibility doesn’t originate with the burden of performing for others in a mandatory way. Infact it must not be professed as a liability at all. One does not need to be a social activist to prove the authenticity of their sense of responsibility but it is that sensitivity which must be inculcated to be genuinely vested in our subconscious. As much as empathy roots essentiality, the fundamental quality that social responsibilities call for is selflessness. The capacity to reflect beyond one’s perimeter of comfort zone is where the challenge lies, especially because generosity resides in day-to-day affair that eventually seeds what one desires to be. If you are playing music louder than what is audible, ignoring your neighbors’ discomforts or if you think indulging in issues like littering/ spitting/ ignoring traffic signals is minor then you must seriously reassess your ‘principles’. Your life-is-short-so-take-a-chill-pill could manifest serious inescapable complications for others in some cases and before you shrug off again, try revising your old school textbooks. While this may look like a rant on my young friends, it very much applies for society as a whole. We abide by our social responsibilities to give back to the society that brought us up. Similarly it is equally important that societies let the young minds grow its own wings, understand societal norms and not just impose it on them, open doors to democracy and likewise retain its integrity by performing its own duties. After all, even a society must be socially responsible in order to evolve.

Well the real issue lies in trusting our generation. Our assumption on today’s youth as irresponsible and wayward will do more harm than anything because our negative attitude towards them might affect what they do. Every human being is born with a scope to be better than their previous version and sometimes, as they say, there are rewards ahead on taking a leap of faith. On being discouraged or doubted unnecessarily, the potential in them gradually dies. It is important to acknowledge one’s creativity and curiosity. Hence it is vital that we not only properly communicate but also inform, inspire, empower and create awareness among people for a distinct understanding of the dynamic relationship between human development and social development.

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Essay on Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is a term that has been used in different contexts, including the economy, education, politics , and religion. Social responsibility is challenging because it encompasses so many aspects, and there is no single definition of social responsibility. In simple words, social responsibility is the responsibility of an individual to act in a way that promotes social well-being. This means that a person has a sense of obligation to society and sacrifices for the good of others. BYJU’S essay on social responsibility explains the importance of being a socially responsible citizen.

A society’s responsibility to the individuals in that society can be seen through the various social programmes and laws. Governments try to create a better world for their citizens, so they implement various social programmes like welfare, tax assistance, and unemployment benefits. Laws are also crucial to a society because they enforce practical actions by its citizens and punish harmful actions. Now, let us understand the significance of social responsibility by reading a short essay on social responsibility.

Importance of Social Responsibility

BYJU’S essay on social responsibility highlights the importance of doing good deeds for society. The short essay lists different ways people can contribute to social responsibility, such as donating time and money to charities and giving back by visiting places like hospitals or schools. This essay discusses how companies can support specific causes and how people can be actively involved in volunteering and organisations to help humanitarian efforts.

Social responsibility is essential in many aspects of life. It helps to bring people together and also promotes respect for others. Social responsibility can be seen in how you treat other people, behave outside of work, and contribute to the world around you. In addition, there are many ways to be responsible for the protection of the environment, and recycling is one way. It is crucial to recycle materials to conserve resources, create less pollution, and protect the natural environment.

Society is constantly changing, and the way people live their lives may also vary. It is crucial to keep up with new technology so that it doesn’t negatively impact everyone else. Social responsibility is key to making sure that society is prosperous. For example, social media has created a platform for people to share their experiences and insights with other people. If a company were going to develop a new product or service, it would be beneficial for them to survey people about what they think about the idea before implementing it because prior knowledge can positively impact future decisions.

Social responsibility is essential because it creates a sense of responsibility to the environment . It can lead to greater trust among members of society. Another reason is that companies could find themselves at a competitive disadvantage if they do not ensure their practices are socially responsible. Moreover, companies help people in need through money, time, and clothing, which is a great way to showcase social responsibility.

Being socially responsible is a great responsibility of every human being, and we have briefly explained this in the short essay on social responsibility. Moreover, being socially responsible helps people upgrade the environment and society. For more essays, click on BYJU’S kids learning activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does being socially responsible help in protecting the environment.

Yes. Being socially responsible helps in protecting the environment.

Why should we be socially responsible?

We should be socially responsible because it is the right thing to upgrade society and the environment. Another reason is to help those in need because when more people have jobs, the economy can thrive, and people will have more opportunities.

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Youth and Social Responsibility

Youth leaders of Kolegaon were inspired to organize an awareness activity with their peers, after attending a residential leadership training camp in November, where they underwent a session on “Youth & Priorities” by Deepa Pawar and their worldview changed. A number of youth leaders realised how, as a normal “youth”, our priorities can be the ususal trio of family-education-job, but as a “youth leader” while the above priorities do remain, the topmost becomes social change or some form of social responsibility.

This concept touched many, and these youth came back to their village wanting to take this message to their peers. They therefore orgnaized a workshop for class 11 students of Sakharam Sheth Vidyalay in Kolegaon. The youth leaders took care of everything from taking permission from the school, mobilizing students, registration, food and other logistics.

They invited Deepa from Anubhuti to take the workshop and this was modelled on the pressures on youth today, and how taking on social responsibility is not a pressure but a liberation – a path to developing self, community, family and society. The students being very fresh responded positively but had questions. Anubhuti’s youth leaders worked hard to drive home the message by their own examples.

We truly appreciate the effort taken by these young leaders, and even more their commitment to social change. This activity was part of the Kadam Badhate Chalo program supported by Martha Farrell Foundation, PRIA and Pro-Sport Development.

Social Responsibility to Others Essay

Introduction.

Social responsibilities are vital and play an enormous role in every aspect of human life. Consequently, individuals must live in a wealthy and expanding society, and they must be mindful of both domestic and international responsibilities (“Roles and Actions”). “Millions” by Sonja Larsen, “Cranes Fly South” by Edward McCourt and “How to live in history” by Yvonne Blomer describes the various ways in which individuals should be responsible to others. Social responsibility allows a person to understand the interconnectedness of causes and effects that form the fabric of life.

The Power and Responsibility of the Adults’ Influence on Children

The interest of adults in children’s lives is significant in developing a child’s social skills. For instance, in “Millions” by Sonja Larsen, the child is obsessed by thoughts of buying guns (Larsen). However, upon being engaged by the school counselor, the child turns his attention to catapults and medieval weapons because they less harmful as the guns.

Parents face challenges in understanding children’s problems. For instance, despite being asked about the million-dollar question, the child’s interests comprised the anti-social activities (Larsen). As a result, the adult school counselor is forced to institute an assessment program to help the child change his thought processes.

Teaching children morality and sensitivity is one of the key responsibilities of parents. For example, through the school counselor’s continuous interest of the child, the narrator states, “sometime I’m a hero, and sometimes I’m the first victim” (Larsen). In this case, the narrator is capable of understanding the consequences of the adults influence on children by instilling social skills.

From the above analysis, responsibility and understanding of the consequences of the adults influence on children. Therefore, through adult’s social responsibility, children are able to understand the interconnectedness of causes and effects of certain life mistakes. The result is a change of behavior to the better.

Intergenerational Communication for Enriching Human Life Experiences

Through social responsibility, the conditionality of children’s love for the older generation improves. For instance, in “Cranes Fly South” by Edward McCourt, Lee’s love for his grandfather makes him take him to witness the flight of the crane because he knows it would be exciting to his grandfather. Lee does this despite the day being cold and bleak.

The probable extinction of the whooping crane, which is stated at the beginning of the narrative, links to the notion of mutual respect as the most important prerequisite for intergenerational communication. Grandfather is aware that his time on earth is limited and that he must see the majestic grandeur of the crane one more time before dying. This is realized through the help of his grandchild, Lee.

The story uses the symbolism of the whooping crane to mean a change of life. For example, his grandfather’s health begins to improve, which makes Lee pleased, as seen by his last words, “He’s gone south.” Grandfather will finally have a chance to see the sea (McCourt 143). It points towards the distinctive abilities and skills of children in adult’s life.

It is important to equal value the contributions of both parties through intergenerational communication. For instance, when the grandfather finally dies, Lee’s parents blame it on him. This makes Lee so depressed and anguished over his grandfather’s death. Therefore, grandfather’s delirious raving and the parent’s reactions demonstrate that children have insight into life and death, hence, the need for equal value contributions.

Listening As the Main Way of Knowing the World by a Child

Communication is one method of passing on a parent’s worldview to a child. According to Lee and Sandra, children develop self-concepts and beliefs depending on how their parents interact with them (48). Lack of communication between the child and the mother is clear when the narrator say, “he begrudgingly helps out his mom” (Larsen). Therefore, communication should be used to transfer the worldview of parents to a child.

Listening is also a way for a child to learn about the world by hearing both expressed and unspoken feelings and thoughts. For instance, according to Blomer, language is “the way your mother may have told you—her forehead pressed to yours, saying: Listen, dear, listen .” (Blomer. para. 3) As such, despite not loudly speaking, the child understands the mother’s communication through pressing of the foreheads alone.

Communication forms a new fabric of reality due to the perception of a child. In “How to live in history” Blomer relates language as both being a family and having the feeling of a child (Blomer). Furthermore, Blomer states that, “They forget that part of language is listening “(Blomer, para. 4). Therefore, language, which is communication, can be understood by children by visualizing the world through listening.

Listening is one of the primary ways a child learns about the world because it connects generations as well as the past and the future. For instance, in “Cranes Fly South,” Lee listens to his grandfather’s story about never having seen a whopping crane before (McCourt 143). The narrative points towards the child’s capacity to link the two generations using the symbolism of the whooping crane.

The Importance of the History of Intergenerational Relations

The importance of responsibility to others as a foundation of nation history is significant for intergenerational relations. Lee, a child, is closely related with his grandfather because of the social responsibility he feels for the old man (McCourt 143). This indicates the importance of history in relating the two diverse generations.

As a society and as a community, individuals should embrace the historical perspective of social aspects of life in order to establish social responsibilities within a society. Lee embraces the generational past aspects of the grandfather (McCourt 143). The effect is the unlocking of his grandfather’s happiness because throughout his life, he has been envying seeing whooping cranes go south.

Importance of the history of intergenerational relations is established by the interconnectedness of causes and effects in life. For instance, in Larsen’s narrative, the effect of obsession of guns by the child has a familial cause, and the effect could be life damaging to the child. Therefore, the narrative uses the interconnectedness of causes and effects in life in helping the child understand other important life perspectives.

Social responsibility is a key to comprehending the fabric of life. In Larsen’s story, without the school counselor and Lee, intergenerational relations are challenging. Therefore, social responsibility makes both the child and the narrator to establish the prerequisite of all the fabrics of life: the child’s viewpoint of life and the narrator’s perspective.

In conclusion, as indicated in “Millions” by Sonja Larsen, “Cranes Fly South” by Edward McCourt and “How to live in history” by Yvonne Blomer, Social responsibility enables an individual to comprehend the interdependence of causes and consequences that comprise the fabric of life. As such, listening facilitates connection with others and a sense of responsibility.

Works Cited

Blomer, Yvonne. “How to Live in History.” Create Victoria-Cultural Plan , Web.

“ Importance of Parents in Life: Roles and Actions .” Cuemath , Web.

Larsen, Sonja. “ Millions .” Little Fiction Big Truths , Web.

Lee, Glona, and Sandra D. Simpkins. “ Ability self-concepts and parental support may protect adolescents when they experience low support from their math teachers .” Journal of Adolescence , vol. 88, no. 1, 2021, pp. 48-57. Web.

McCourt, Edward. “ Cranes Fly South .” Web.

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The KWHS Essay Contest: Social Responsibility in the Corporate World

The four winners of the Knowledge@Wharton High School Essay Contest “Socially Responsible Business” category discovered companies both large and small that are finding ways to help society and the environment. Their essays take readers from the farmlands of India to the Adirondack Mountains of the United States, demonstrating that social responsibility is a global commitment. … Read More

Google Classroom:

In preparation for its launch, Knowledge@Wharton High School held a contest in which it invited high school students from across the U.S. and the world to submit essays on their choice of two topics: “Starting a New Business” or “Socially Responsible Business.” From the several hundred entries, judges chose four high school students (two each from grades 9-10 and 11-12) as winners in each of two topic categories. Below are the four winning essays in the “Socially Responsible Business” category, which asked students to highlight a private sector company that has created a lasting positive impact on the community – local, national and/or global — through socially responsible policies.

The essays have been lightly edited for length and KWHS style.

Socially Responsible Business 11 th /12 th Grade Winners

First Place Matthias Nikaj Francis Parker School, San Diego, Calif. “Development from Below: The Grameen Bank Model for Alleviating Poverty”

On October 13, 2006, the Nobel Committee announced it would award the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize to Bangladeshi banker and economist Muhammad Yunus for his “efforts to create economic and social development from below…” through his pioneering approach to micro- credit . In 1976, Yunus started his Grameen Bank Project as an experiment in providing small loans to poor rural communities in Bangladesh without collateral, which had traditionally hampered the ability of the poor to take loans.

By 1983, Grameen Bank had become an independent bank , and, by 2007, it had provided loans to more than 7.3 million people, with over half breaking the cycle of poverty within five years of taking a Grameen loan. Remarkably, Grameen’s payback rate is roughly 90% to 95%, and in the fiscal year 2006, the bank’s revenue reached $92.3 million — remarkable considering the bank targets exclusively the lowest classes of Bangladeshi society.

Grameen Bank’s success in combining social responsibility with a profit-motive lies in three innovative techniques. First, the bank has eschewed the standard system of collateral in favor of a trust-based lending system, thereby freeing up its ability to deal with poor rural communities. Second, to keep up payback rates and encourage fiscal responsibility, Grameen has adopted solidarity lending. Through solidarity lending, Grameen lends money to ‘solidarity groups ,’ usually of around 20 to 30 people, as opposed to individuals. In so doing, the bank exploits social capital and peer pressure by fostering mutual support within the group and a ‘spirit of repayment.’

Solidarity lending works well in the tribal and communitarian mindset of many rural communities, where notions of ‘shame’ and ‘honor’ are a key part of life. Beyond solidarity lending, however, Grameen Bank takes a more holistic approach, creating a social compact, the “16 Decisions,” between the bank and the community – perhaps its most innovative contribution to micro-credit. The 16 Decisions, which vary from “Prosperity we shall bring to our families” to “We shall build and use pit-latrines,” set up guidelines for the generation and growth of wealth within the community. This social compact, based on trust, replaces the legal system of secured transactions favored by larger banks.

The key to Grameen Bank’s success lies in its ability to understand the local and cultural dimensions of its customer base and adapt its business model accordingly. The system of credit developed in New York and London may be entirely ineffective in the Tangail District of Bangladesh and, similarly, what works in Chittagong may not work elsewhere. In rural Bangladesh, the core social unit is not the individual, but the extended family. Within that dynamic, individuals act for the benefit of their family and avoid certain actions to not bring ‘shame’ on their clan. Grameen, through solidarity lending, targets extended families instead of individuals. Its 16 Decisions make full use of familial bonds for business purpose, stating, “We shall collectively undertake bigger investments for higher income,” and, “If we come to know of any breach of discipline in any centre, we shall all go there and help restore discipline.”

Nevertheless, Grameen has not gone without criticism. Akhtaruz Zaman, a director at Bangladesh’s Central Bank, complains that “They are regulated, but they are regulated by themselves.” The lack of oversight has led some to suggest that many of Grameen’s statistics are exaggerated, and that Grameen relies heavily on charitable contributions from philanthropic foundations, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which gave $1.5 million to Grameen in 2005. Moreover, Grameen defines “defaulting” on a loan as not having paid the loan back within two years, as opposed to the traditional one-year definition used by most banks.

Another major criticism of Grameen has been that its merger of economic and social policy within its business goes too far. Jeffrey Tucker, of the Mises Institute, writes, “[Grameen’s] ‘16 Decisions’ that must be adopted by all borrowers read like a party platform for collectivist regimentation… a very strange ‘bank’ indeed!” Moreover, Grameen has a tendency to challenge accepted social norms in Bangladesh. Approximately 97% of its borrowers are women, which has created some tension in the patriarchal Bangladeshi society. One of the 16 Decisions is, “We shall not practice child marriage,” which seems to have little to do with the prospective value of borrowers.

Grameen’s union of social and fiscal policy presents the potential to create positive social transformation in some of the world’s poorest communities. Companies who wish to follow in Grameen’s footsteps, however, must be careful to not lose economic viability in the face of social experimentation. Though a ban on child marriage is laudable, tying it to one’s ability to take a loan may constitute an overreach.

To Grameen’s credit, many of the critiques leveled at the company dissipate when one takes into account the local conditions under which it is operating. A rural Bangladeshi woman will most likely take more time to repay her loan than a corporate lawyer in Tokyo. In that sense, Grameen’s redefinition of “defaulting” on a loan is excusable. Additionally, though charitable contributions do provide the bank with a sort of guarantee on its loans, these contributions are not enough to account for the entirety of Grameen’s success and profit. Overall, the Grameen model is a creative and sustainable engine for what the Nobel Committee called, ‘development from below.’ The micro-credit industry has boomed in recent years as more and more companies realize small loans to the poor can work and even be profitable.

In the summer of 2008, I witnessed the rise of microfinance firsthand when I interned at Raiffeisen Bank’s newly started microfinance segment in Tirana, Albania. Raiffeisen, a major European bank with net income of $2.4 billion, launched its micro-credit segment, focusing almost exclusively on loans to small businesses and rural borrowers in response to the success of ProCredit Bank, a microfinance bank operating in 22 developing countries that is organized partly around the principles of Grameen.

Microfinance is an original and profitable way for companies, especially banks, to expand their business while promoting larger social goods . As the power of corporations and their influence rises with globalization , companies like Grameen Bank provide a positive example of how the force and dynamism of the free market can be harnessed for the greater good of all.

Second Place Sharvani Srivastava Mira Loma High School, Sacramento, Calif. “The Milk of Farmers’ Labor: Corporate Social Responsibility Under the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited”

After visiting countless traders, the exhausted milk farmer walked home with a mere five rupees in his pocket. The desperate farmer had sold the owner of one shop seven liters of milk for a meager amount of money since the owner claimed he already had an excess of milk. As the farmer walked home, he knew his family would have to go hungry another night. This same situation could be seen in the lives of many milk farmers in Gujarat, India, in the 1940s as thousands of dairymen were exploited by milk distributors, who made the profit while the producers were left with nothing. From this hopeless situation grew a new company, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), to help the poor farmers rid themselves of the manipulative middlemen. Since then, the GCMMF has not only survived, but also flourished due to its dedication and sincerity towards socially responsible policies while maintaining high profits.

Many companies today give back to society after becoming successful. However, few companies have been started to not only make a profit, but also help society simultaneously. The GCMMF is entirely based upon the latter form of corporate social responsibility . To rid the world of poverty, “each…‘microconsumer’ must have access to world-class products and services. Simultaneously, ‘microproducers’ must have access to global markets for his or her labor at fair prices,” said author C.K. Prahalad. In the GCMMF, the milk producers sell directly to the consumers to eliminate the exploitation of the middlemen and allow the milkmen to earn a wage 15% higher than the national average. The GCMMF adheres to strict international quality control standards and markets these high-quality goods under the brand Amul.

Unlike most high-quality products, Amul products are available not only in large cities, but also in villages throughout India for low prices so all microconsumers, even the poorest classes, are able to afford world-class nutritious food. Through free programs such as Amul, Yatra and 35 other women leadership programs, the GCMMF teaches the rural masses modern management techniques and the latest technology in agriculture so as to give those without many opportunities, such as of education, equal footing with those who do. Other accomplishments of the GCMMF include the Internet Sewa Program, which places one computer with Internet connection in villages, and the donation of dairy products worth one million rupees to flood victims in India. The GCMMF is also helping Thailand, Malaysia and African countries to establish similar companies in their own countries so as to reduce poverty throughout the world.

For a business to be successful, it must achieve its business goals. The business goals of the GCMMF are the incorporation of more farmers into the company, a growing milk supply and the expansion of the company and its profits. Although it may seem like the GCMMF earns little profit due to its social policies, in actuality, the company has a large income. In 2007, the GCMMF had revenues of US$1.325 million, and has grown from selling only fresh milk to selling more than over 80 products.

The reason for the GCMMF’s successful mixture of a profitable and beneficial business is the very basis of the entire company. With the business goal of a growing labor pool, the company earns revenues from more people producing more milk; it fulfills its socially responsible goal because more farmers earn a fair wage. With the increased amount of milk that is sold, a high profit can be earned while lowering the price. A lower price increases demand. As a result, the GCMMF can sell more of its products and help its community since even the poor can afford the products.

Furthermore, the management program that the GCMMF employs increases the profit of the company through increased sales as well as furthers the development of rural areas through education. Another unique aspect that allows for the flawless integration of charity and business in the GCMMF is that the farmers are part owners of the company, and they work towards the betterment of themselves and their community rather than towards public attention. Unlike other companies, the GCMMF did not need to incorporate its social policies into its business strategies since its business strategies were its social policies.

When looking at socially responsible policies of the GCMMF, it is difficult to identify any mistakes the company has made. The GCMMF has not lost a chance to earn higher profits or a chance to help its community. Other companies can also adopt socially responsible policies that are equally helpful to their communities. No matter how much money is given to charity, one of the primary features of social responsibility is caring for the employees so they, too, can lead a suitable life. Also, a company should ensure that the aid given suits the needs of the recipients so development can take place. A company should always choose to improve a part of society it passionately believes needs improvement, and only then with proper motivation , can true progress be made.

Socially Responsible Business 9 th /10 th Grade Winners

First Place Kyle Davidson Penncrest High School, Media , Pa. “Golden Arrow Goes Green”

The company I chose that is going eco friendly is the Golden Arrow Hotel in Lake Placid, New York. I believe this company’s policy is to continually become greener and greener and help the world. Golden Arrow is helping protect Adirondack Park, which is the most protected area in the United States. The park is larger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier and Grand Canyon National Parks combined. By going green, the company is trying not to pollute the park, which can be seen from the hotel. I believe they are doing a great job. Additionally, Golden Arrow is trying to spread eco friendliness to other hotels in New York. Golden Arrow is a wonderful example of a green hotel, as you will see in this paper.

The Golden Arrow is the region’s first hotel to be rated “four out of five leaves” by Audubon International. Only about 10 hotels have also been rated this high. The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is trying to go greener each year. When light bulbs at the hotel burn out, the hotel replaces them with energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs. The company buys all of their eco friendly light bulbs from the Boy Scouts, which help their community while helping to keep the hotel green. The hotel only buys carpet from companies that recycle carpets or use other recycled materials. The heating and cooling units are very energy efficient. The hotel has an allergen free floor that contains bamboo, which is a renewable resource.

Golden Arrow also uses water-efficient toilets and showers and relies on recycled paper and tissue as well as cleaning agents that do not affect the earth. Golden Arrow tries to recycle as much as they can. The hotel even encourages their customers to recycle by placing recycling bins in their rooms and near the vending machines. The company now sends out double the amount of recycled plastics as compared to before they encouraged their customers to recycle. So now, there is not as much plastic going to the landfills.

When the employees have a meeting, only organic and locally produced food are served. Golden Arrow’s beaches are made from crushed limestone, which helps prevent acid rain from going into the lake. Wow! They are even trying to improve their lake! The hotel has plants on some of their roofs, which provides oxygen, insulates the roofs, which helps with cooling and heating, and prevents rainwater run off. Golden Arrow only uses real silverware, plates and glasses, thus eliminating additional plastic from going to landfills. The company is putting in 15 new rooms so that when guests are not in the room, the air or heat will turn down automatically. If customers arrive at the hotel by foot, bicycle or a hybrid car, the company will give you a “Thank you for being kind to the Earth” goody bag. All around the hotel, there are picture frames that have “fun facts” about the hotel. The guests look for the answers, and if they get the questions right, then they get an Earth prize. A staff member created Mr. Green, who is the hotel’s mascot. Kids get a coloring book to color in Mr. Green, and in the back of the book there are suggestions on how to go green at home.

The washers and dryers used by the hotel are the most efficient on the market. The company fills their washers and dryers to the very top before doing a load. When possible, Golden Arrow uses cold water to wash the laundry.

For Christmas 2006, the hotel sent out Christmas cards to all of its repeat guests. For each card returned, the hotel donated $5 to a wildlife fund, thus encouraging their customers to help Golden Arrow help the planet.

I believe what the hotel is doing is great. They are trying to help the environment but also encourage and educate their customers to help the environment. I hope more hotels go green like the Golden Arrow. Companies cannot make the excuse that they may lose customers because Golden Arrow can be used as a model. They have not lost customers and are operating well. In this economy, companies might not want to make the changes, but they should try to go green over time. I believe that going green could also save the companies money in the long run by being more efficient. I personally did not know that hotels could go to these lengths to be green, and I am pleasantly shocked that a hotel would go this far to help the environment. On top of all that, the Golden Arrow is trying to come up with new ways to go green every day. The company is running and is still making a profit.

Second Place Zoe Zhang Bergen County Technical Schools, Teterboro, N.J. “Suiting Up”

My father arrived in this country nearly penniless. He lived in his aunt’s house and got his master’s degree while working as a teacher’s assistant. When he graduated, he was as destitute, if not more, than when he first got off the Boeing that had ferried him from Beijing to New York City. Broke and surviving off his aunt’s generosity, Dad was desperate for a job.

Typical protocol for an interview declares that punctuality is a must; he somehow managed to arrive late because, as Dad admits to me sheepishly, he didn’t know how to knot his tie properly. Though being late seems to violate every rule in the book, his logic was that it would make a bad situation worse by failing to arrive properly dressed. As a teenager who tried to wear jeans to a wedding, I thought the whole concept of there being a “right” thing to wear was absurd. It wasn’t until I saw a commercial for Men’s Wearhouse’s National Suit Drive that I saw the importance of dress and its impact on first impressions. One could call it an upsetting example of how superficial society is, or one could say the idea exemplifies the importance of proper garb. Either way, all would agree that a man who shows up at a job interview dressed in a sweatshirt and a pair of Levi’s is probably not walking away with the job.

My father was fortunate enough to have a male cousin from whom he could borrow a sports coat and a pair of dress pants, but for many others, the closest thing they have is a duffle coat and a pair of khakis. As a girl who detests formalwear of any type, I have never set so much as a toe inside Men’s Wearhouse, but I know from my mother’s accounts that a suit going for $50 or $80 is a great deal. Though Men’s Wearhouse’s goods are not for the unemployed, the clothing retailer is still helping to dress them up for their big day.

This is the first year that Men’s Wearhouse is sponsoring a National Suit Drive, though they have been helping to provide professional attire to the unemployed seeking to enter the workforce for nearly a decade. Through its campaign, North America’s leading specialty retailer in men’s dress apparel collects gently worn professional wear and distributes them to over 120 non-profit organizations, who in turn give them to jobless men seeking a favorable first impression. Men’s Wearhouse has also spearheaded the Capitol PurSuit Drive in Washington, D.C., gathering more than 10,000 clothing items in one day.

Men’s Wearhouse describes its efforts as “the first step towards a second chance” for at-risk men and youth. The reasoning behind the campaign is that if a person has a stable, reliable source of income, he is less likely to resort to illegal or immoral approaches to making money. Men’s Wearhouse staunchly believes that having a job once again will help a person take back control over his life.

It seems ironic that a retailer making its revenue solely from selling professional attire would be advancing a program that provides clothes for free. While there is irony, it’s also indubitable that none would know the significance of a suit better than Men’s Wearhouse. They understand it so well that they offer a 10% discount to all who donate, and also pledge to contribute a dress shirt for every suit they receive. Men’s Wearhouse obviously wants their suit drive to be a success, because they also paid for valuable primetime commercials to make everyone aware of their campaign.

Throughout the nine years that Men’s Wearhouse has helped underserved men, it has collected more than 65,000 articles that can help lead these men towards the path of self-sufficiency. Though thousands of men will have access to donated suits, women obviously can’t be expected to arrive at an interview in men’s clothes. I believe that Men’s Wearhouse should challenge another company, such as Liz Claiborne, to stage a similar campaign for women. Together, the two retailers could do a world of good for disadvantaged people looking for an opportunity to turn their lives around.

Any act of corporate responsibility should be sincere and deeply rooted. Men’s Wearhouse isn’t just involved in a single, month-long suit drive. It also participates in a variety of programs, from Day of Self Esteem to the Capitol PurSuit Drive. One month of aiding the disadvantaged is just another excuse to stick a segment about it in the company’s next commercial. The success of a program also depends heavily on the setting of the project. By staging the PurSuit Drive in our nation’s capitol, the multitude of lobbyists and political staff who are used to being trussed up in formalwear helped make the drive a success.

Men’s Wearhouse has helped a huge amount of people become self-sufficient, productive members of society, and through their efforts, they have made customers more willing to walk into their stores and buy something, thanks to the 10% discount they received for donating an item. In this economy especially, any discount is welcomed. Men’s Wearhouse’s “second chance” program works in many ways, from helping the truly needy to becoming a smart, intelligent way to produce more profits.

Oh, and Dad? Thanks to his properly knotted tie, he got the job.

One comment on “ The KWHS Essay Contest: Social Responsibility in the Corporate World ”

It is so awesome to see such socially-minded and young entrepreneurs. This is one of the few things that gives me hope for the future. Personally, I am a young entrepreneur, who is trying to make the world a better place just like these kids. We sell eco friendly shoes for affordable prices. Thanks for the read and keep up the good work.

-Tad Bamboo Shoes

Change to Youth Allowance age of independence rule would improve equality for regional uni students, report finds

At 18, you are legally an adult. You can drive a car, buy alcohol, and apply for a credit card.

But although you're no longer a child, you may not be classed as "independent" by Centrelink until you're 22 — even if you've moved out of home.

Jack Oates Pryor finds himself in that situation.

The 20-year-old University of Tasmania student pays his own rent in Hobart while his parents live about 200 kilometres away in Launceston, but he is blocked from access to regular Centrelink payments because his parents earn too much.

Jack, who is also involved in the Tasmanian University Student Association and the National Union of Students, works multiple jobs to support himself while studying.

"I made the move last year and I needed to find accommodation and be able to pay for rent and food on the table," he said.

"I am financially independent this year.

"This current system does disproportionately disadvantage students in remote and regional areas."

A group of people standing on a lawn holding a banner that reads "It's time for change"

Under the current system, students and apprentices are considered dependent on their parents until the age of 22, unless they meet certain education or employment circumstances.

There are two categories when being assessed, either "permanent" or "reviewable" independence.

To be considered to have permanent independence, individuals must have worked an average of at least 30 hours a week for 18 months in a two-year period, among other criteria.

The Australian Universities Accord Final Report, released earlier this year, notes that this forces many regional students into a gap year to work.

"Independence testing arrangements are disadvantaging school leavers who need to move away from home to study," the report said.

Accord report reignites debate

The Australian University Accord report made a host of recommendations to improve participation in Australia's tertiary education sector.

Among them was a call to raise the parental income test limit from $62,634 a year to $68,857 — the figure after which point their child's Centrelink payments start to be reduced.

Fiona Nash, whose role as regional education commissioner champions access to regional, rural and remote education, said the Australian Universities Accord panel looked at what would be most helpful for regional students to improve participation outcomes.

"We looked at what was a fair and appropriate increase … we figured that increase was doable," she said.

Ms Nash said that ultimately, Centrelink's independence rules should consider regional students who must live away from the family home to study.

"There's a real inequity between city students … and regional students in accessing tertiary education," she said.

"Many of our metropolitan students can stay at home while they're attending university, which is great for them.

"One of the things we've put forward is some consideration of whether rural and regional and remote students should qualify as independent simply because they have no choice but to move away from home."

What are the rules for dependent students?

Under the current system, for students to be eligible for the full Youth Allowance amount of $639 a fortnight, parents must earn less than a combined $62,634 a year.

This is called the parental income-free area.

For every dollar earned over that threshold, the support payment is reduced by 20 cents.

According to the Department of Social Services, the combined parental income cut-off for 2024 is about $122,000 for a family with a tertiary student living at home and about $146,000 for students, aged 18–21, who must move away to study.

For parents earning more than this annually, students may not be eligible for support payments although this can vary depending on a student's remoteness and family circumstances.

Reclassification needed

It is not only students who want the rules to change.

Isolated Children's Parents' Association tertiary portfolio leader Kate Thompson said regional students often live independently to study, so they should be classified as such.

"For rural and remote students who have no choice but to leave home to access further education, [that move] should be enough to qualify you as independent," Ms Thompson said.

"The cost to actually relocate is a huge expense for a lot of rural and remote families."

A woman wearing a blue jacket and white scarf stands in front of a tall building.

Financial support for students a 'shared responsibility'

In a statement, federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the age of independence was set at 22 as the system was "based on the principle that financial support for students is a shared responsibility between parents, guardians, the government and students themselves".

"That's why students aged under 22 years are considered financially dependent on their parents or guardians and are subject to both parental and personal means testing," Ms Rishworth said.

She said financial support such as the Relocation Scholarship, Fares Allowance and Tertiary Access payment may be available for regional students.

The Relocation Scholarship is only available to students receiving ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance payments from Centrelink.

Amanda Rishworth speaks at a podium in a red dress.

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'I feel penalised for choosing to study': Students say new jobseeker changes are confusing and demoralising

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Will university reforms help more young people chase their dreams?

Individual pictures of five teenagers' faces on a colourful background with a sign reading "uni options" and picture of a plane.

Caitlin is doing unpaid placements across 24 weeks. She turns to buy now, pay later providers to afford food

Caitlin Bourke wearing her clinical scrubs leaning her crossed arms over her bed

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The Morning

America’s affordable housing crisis.

The housing crisis is likely to be solved in cities and states, not Washington.

A row of similar-looking homes with cars parked in driveways.

By Conor Dougherty

President Biden worries about high housing costs. So do Republicans in Congress. The consensus reflects a major problem: Tens of millions of families, across red and blue states, struggle with rent and home prices. The reason is a longstanding housing shortage.

But action in Washington won’t make a huge difference. America’s affordable housing crisis is likely to be solved in cities and states. In today’s newsletter, I’ll explain how many are already doing so in bipartisan fashion.

Local laboratories

Home prices are up about 60 percent over the past decade, adjusted for inflation. About a quarter of renters — some 12 million households — spend more than half their income on housing, far in excess of the one-third level that is considered healthy. Homeless camps have expanded, and “ super commuters ” — who drive for 90 minutes or longer to work — have migrated well beyond the expensive coasts to smaller cities like Spokane , Wash., and fast-growing metropolitan areas like Dallas and Phoenix.

Generally, Republican-led states have been more affordable than Democratic-led ones. They tend to have fewer construction and environmental rules, which allows the housing supply to expand faster. But as rent and home prices climb beyond middle-income budgets in more places, states are racing to add housing.

The legislation in each state varies. But in general it removes permitting and design barriers so new construction can be approved faster. States are also trying to alter zoning rules to allow a greater diversity of units in more neighborhoods.

One way is to allow more backyard homes — known as granny flats. That way, homeowners can build a space for a renter or family member. Another is to shrink lot sizes so several smaller cottages can be built on parcels currently reserved for only one larger home. Cities and states are also altering zoning rules so duplexes and triplexes can be built in neighborhoods that are currently designated for single-family homes. All these methods aim to increase density within a city’s existing footprint.

Already, Democrats and Republicans in Montana and Arizona have united for housing legislation. A similar coalition has taken shape in other states, including Texas, Minnesota and North Carolina . Even in California and Oregon, whose governments are both dominated by Democrats, Republican votes have helped pass housing bills.

“Some issues become a horseshoe,” said Cody Vasut, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives who wants to drastically restrict abortion — but also liberalize land use laws. “We have different views of government, but sometimes we arrive at the same conclusion.”

These coalitions are not always successful. Last week, for instance, the Arizona governor, Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, vetoed a bill that would have allowed smaller homes and lot sizes. She called it “a step too far.”

Most of these laws are too new for us to know their ultimate outcomes. But there’s ample evidence that building more housing reduces prices. In Austin, Texas, for instance, a surge in rent and home prices during the pandemic led to a boom in construction. Now prices are falling, and landlords offer months of free rent to fill empty units.

New coalitions

Why can political parties cooperate on this issue but so little else? Housing politics are hyperlocal and don’t hew to neat ideological lines. Neither party has a hard position that members feel beholden too.

One thing most people agree on is that America has too few homes. According to Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance giant, the nation is short about four million units . The deficit is particularly acute in both low-cost rentals and the entry-level starter homes favored by first-time buyers.

Economists say much of the blame falls on local governments. City councils hold most of the power over where and what types of housing get built, but they are beholden to homeowners who often pack meetings to complain that new developments would destroy nature and snarl traffic.

This is called NIMBYism, short for “Not in my backyard.” The remedy, in both red and blue states, has been to pass laws that strip cities’ power to say no.

State legislatures are close enough to voters to share their concerns about rising housing costs — but far enough that they don’t have to answer for every new local development. They are the Goldilocks level of government for housing reform.

Related: I want to hear from readers about their housing situations. You can submit stories here .

THE LATEST NEWS

Baltimore bridge collapse.

The cargo ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore lost power shortly before the crash, officials said. See how the bridge collapsed .

After the ship put out a distress call, workers stopped cars from driving across the bridge. “These people are heroes,” Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, said.

The Coast Guard is searching for the bodies of six of the eight construction workers who were on the bridge. Two were found alive; the others are presumed dead, an official said.

Biden said that the collision appeared to have been an accident and that he wanted the federal government to rebuild the bridge.

Several automakers said that they would reroute their shipments.

Supreme Court

Most of the Supreme Court justices sounded inclined to reject a bid to restrict nationwide access to an abortion pill , mifepristone, during arguments.

Several justices seemed skeptical that the plaintiffs, doctors who don’t prescribe abortion pills, had a right to challenge the F.D.A.’s approval of the drug. Read more takeaways .

The female justices had candid exchanges about women’s health, The Washington Post reports.

2024 Election

The Biden campaign joined TikTok to try to reach younger voters. The videos have prompted jokes and criticism.

Barack Obama regularly calls top Biden aides to strategize about Biden’s re-election campaign .

More on Politics

NBC News cut ties with Ronna McDaniel , the former Republican Party chairwoman, after hosts criticized the network for hiring her as a commentator. A Times review found that she had helped Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election .

Trump’s social media company surged on its first day of trading on the Nasdaq, adding billions to his wealth .

The judge overseeing Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial imposed a gag order prohibiting Trump from attacking witnesses or prosecutors.

Trump posted a video urging his supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” priced at around $60. Trump gets royalties from sales .

A new law in Florida will prohibit children under 14 from having social media accounts, The A.P. reports. It is set to take effect next year.

Israel-Hamas War

An Israeli hostage said she had been sexually assaulted and tortured in Gaza. Read her story .

Hezbollah and Israel fired at each other across the border with Lebanon. At least one person died in Israel and seven were reported killed in Lebanon.

Top Israeli and U.S. defense officials met to discuss Israel’s plan to invade Rafah .

Israel is deploying facial recognition to conduct surveillance in Gaza, according to Israeli military and intelligence officials.

The authorities in Gaza said 12 people drowned while trying to retrieve airdropped aid that had fallen into the Mediterranean.

MORNING READS

Holi: The Indian festival is becoming more popular worldwide. Read about the tradition .

Scams: A woman posed as a down-on-her-luck Irish heiress. The man she conned out of thousands started a podcast to track her down .

The Great Read: A legal pot pioneer was busted in Idaho. He has a plan .

Lives Lived: Lee Berry was one of the Panther 21, members of the Black Panther Party who were prosecuted in New York in 1970. His account of abuse in jail was a catalyst for Leonard Bernstein’s Park Avenue fund-raising party that Tom Wolfe satirized in a withering magazine takedown. Berry died at 78 .

N.F.L.: League owners approved significant changes to kickoff rules, which will go into effect this season.

College basketball: Iowa and West Virginia drew an average of 4.9 million viewers for their second-round women’s N.C.A.A. tournament game, a pre-Final Four record.

ARTS AND IDEAS

French identity: Aya Nakamura, one of France’s most popular singers, might perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The choice has become a flashpoint in the nation’s culture wars. Nakamura was born in Mali and raised in a Parisian suburb, and her music mixes French lyrics with Arabic and West African dialects.

“In a country often ill at ease with its changing population,” Roger Cohen and Aurelien Breeden write , “she stands on a fault line.”

More on culture

Beyoncé’s coming album, “Cowboy Carter,” is an extension of the artist’s exploration of how Black creativity fuels all corners of popular music. Read Jon Caramanica’s essay .

Stephen King’s “Carrie” was published in 1974. Margaret Atwood explains its enduring appeal.

“Trump is mashing together the Bible and the Constitution like it’s a Pizza Hut-Taco Bell”: The late-night hosts discussed Trump’s latest business venture .

THE MORNING RECOMMENDS …

Stir together a one-pot crisp gnocchi with sausage and peas.

Prepare kids for puberty with these items .

Clean your oven .

Here is today’s Spelling Bee . Yesterday’s pangram was adjourn .

And here are today’s Mini Crossword , Wordle , Sudoku and Connections .

Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow.

Conor Dougherty covers housing and development, focusing on the rising costs of homeownership. He is based in Los Angeles. More about Conor Dougherty

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Essay on Responsibility Of Youth
500 Words Essay on Responsibility Of Youth Introduction. Youth is a time of energy, growth, and potential. It is a period when we can shape our futures and influence our societies. As young people, we carry a great responsibility. This essay will explore the various responsibilities of youth. Role in Society. Young people play a critical role ...
Young people hold the key to creating a better future
The year 2021 is the time to start thinking and acting long-term to make intergenerational parity the norm and to design a society, economy and international community that cares for all people. Young people are also the best placed to lead this transformation. In the past 10 years of working with the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers ...
Preparing to Participate: The Role of Youth Social Responsibility and
Civic engagement is critical for the well-being of youth and society. Scholars posit that civic beliefs are highly indicative of sustained civic engagement, particularly for Black youth living in the United States. In this study, I examine whether youth social responsibility and political efficacy beliefs are directly related to civic engagement and whether the relationship between youth ...
Projects To Develop Teens' Social Responsibility
These essential skills—thinking creatively, analysing learning, working together, solving problems and contributing positively—are broken down into a series of Core Areas and Component skills that allow teachers to integrate them into the classroom. The Social Responsibility competency focuses on students' global awareness.
The role of youth engagement in positive youth development and social
Abstract. This article describes reflective experiences documented by our youth leaders and community agency partners (n = 7 & 12, respectively) who have involved in our multi-year community-based research project.Overall, meaningful youth engagement facilitated by youth leadership was highlighted as a key mechanism for positive youth development (PYD) and social justice youth development (SJYD).
"I Feel Good, I Am a Part of the Community": Social Responsibility
Developing social responsibility values and a sense of community during adolescence is an important step that leads to prosocial behaviors toward others and feeling good about oneself and fellow community members. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability is considered in a broader perspective as aimed at the development of human society, improving ...
Role of Youth Essay
Youth is joy. Youth is a phase in which small children have come out of their protective shells and are ready to spread their wings in the world of hope and dreams. Youth means to cherish hope. It is a time of development. It is the time for growth and change. He plays an important role in the development of our society.
Impact of Social Responsibility in Today's Youth
Abstract. The study aims to determine the level of social responsibility among the youth and examine the impact of social responsibility on their well-being and societal development. It also looks ...
Evaluating the National Outcomes: Youth--Social Competencies; Social
Summary Social responsibility has implications for development well past the age of adolescence. For example, community service and childcare volunteers cited improved knowledge of themselves and others (Hamilton, 1988) and participation in volunteer organizations increased selective forms of political expression and voting rates years later (Fendrich, 1993; Hanks, 1981).
How Adolescents Develop Responsibility: What Can Be Learned From Youth
Interviews were conducted with ethnically diverse youth, parents, and adult leaders from four programs for high school-aged teens. Analysis suggested that youth develop responsibility through a ...
Role of youth centers in developing social responsibility
Abstract: The study aims to identify the role of youth centers in developing individual responsibility towards society. The study used the social survey method. A random sample of 272 individuals was collected. The study concluded that there is a large role for youth centers in developing social responsibility towards society.
Essay on The Role of Youth in Nation Building for Students
Introduction. The role of youth in nation-building is paramount. They represent the future, embodying the potential and prospects of a nation. Their energy, innovation, and resilience can drive social change and economic progress. As they transition into adulthood, they carry the responsibility of steering the nation towards prosperity and peace.
Essay on Youth for Students and Children
500+ Words Essay on Youth. Youth is a worthwhile phase of one's life. The age where the age group is no longer of a child but yet to turn out to be a grown-up is the youth age. It is an age recognized by traits of heroism, toughness, muscle, stimulation, curiosity, judgmental attitude and even much more. At this stage, even though driven by ...
Essay On Responsibility Of Youth
Essay On Responsibility Of Youth. 985 Words4 Pages. Introduction Youth is the time of life when one is young with characteristic of freshness, vigour, spirit, enthusiasm, and ambitious with age range between 15 to 35 years. Youth is period within which one develops his or her identity and adopts a personal value system.
Youth Responsibility in Making the World Liveable: A Theological
This essay reflects from a theological perspective on this special responsibility of the youth in the contemporary society. ... The article is devoted to the role and significance of social ...
Importance of social responsibility in youth
Similarly it is equally important that societies let the young minds grow its own wings, understand societal norms and not just impose it on them, open doors to democracy and likewise retain its integrity by performing its own duties. After all, even a society must be socially responsible in order to evolve. Well the real issue lies in trusting ...
Essay on Social Responsibility
In simple words, social responsibility is the responsibility of an individual to act in a way that promotes social well-being. This means that a person has a sense of obligation to society and sacrifices for the good of others. BYJU'S essay on social responsibility explains the importance of being a socially responsible citizen.
Youth and Social Responsibility
26th December 201825th February 2020 Anubhuti Youth Leadership. Youth and Social Responsibility. Youth leaders of Kolegaon were inspired to organize an awareness activity with their peers, after attending a residential leadership training camp in November, where they underwent a session on "Youth & Priorities" by Deepa Pawar and their ...
Social Responsibility to Others
Introduction. Social responsibilities are vital and play an enormous role in every aspect of human life. Consequently, individuals must live in a wealthy and expanding society, and they must be mindful of both domestic and international responsibilities ("Roles and Actions"). "Millions" by Sonja Larsen, "Cranes Fly South" by Edward ...
Role Responsibility Of Youth In Build Free Essay Example
1. Terrorism. 2. Corruption. 3. Communal Disparities. Albert Einstein once said ,"Problem cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them". So in order to eradicate these crux youth with double toughness are required. The main motto of the youth should be" to nip the evil in the bud".
The KWHS Essay Contest: Social Responsibility in the Corporate World
The four winners of the Knowledge@Wharton High School Essay Contest "Socially Responsible Business" category discovered companies both large and small that are finding ways to help society and the environment. Their essays take readers from the farmlands of India to the Adirondack Mountains of the United States, demonstrating that social responsibility is a global commitment. …Read More
Change to Youth Allowance age of independence rule would improve
According to the Department of Social Services, the combined parental income cut-off for 2024 is about $122,000 for a family with a tertiary student living at home and about $146,000 for students ...
America's Affordable Housing Crisis
A new law in Florida will prohibit children under 14 from having social media accounts, The A.P. reports. It is set to take effect next year. It is set to take effect next year. Israel-Hamas War

Young people hold the key to creating a better future

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Preparing to Participate: The Role of Youth Social Responsibility and Political Efficacy on Civic Engagement for Black Early Adolescents

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Political and Civic Participation among Ethnic Majority and Minority Youth

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The Mediating Role of Ethnic Identity and Social Justice Orientation Between Community Civic Participation, Psychological Sense of Community, and Dimensions of Psychological Empowerment Among Adolescents of Color

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The KWHS Essay Contest: Social Responsibility in the Corporate World

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