Immigrant Youth and Voluntary Service: Who Serves?

Abstract

Prior research has not examined whether volunteer activity differs for U.S. immigrant youth of different generations or citizenship status, nor which immigrant youth volunteer. Analysis of the Current Population Survey finds that immigrant generation and naturalization status predict the rate, intensity, and breadth of volunteer activity. Regardless of status as a nonimmigrant, second-generation immigrant, naturalized, or nonnaturalized first-generation immigrant, youth who are female, younger, wealthier, or enrolled in school are most likely to volunteer. Demographic patterns differ, however, when we examine volunteer intensity and breadth. Implications for understanding barriers to immigrant youth volunteerism and directions for further research are discussed.