Volunteering among female students in Russia and the Republic of Belarus

An analysis of the volunteer activity of Belarusian and Russian female students develops scientific ideas about the social activity of young people in countries with similar cultural and sociopolitical development. The purpose of the study is to determine the characteristics and features of volunteering among female students in Russia and Belarus. In Belarus and Russia, 72 % of third-year female students have volunteer experience. The results of the study showed that such activity is due to the social orientation of female students, their interest in participating in collective activities and their intention to join various socially significant events. The participation of Belarusian and Russian female students in volunteer work differs somewhat in characteristics and motivation. Along with altruistic motives and organized working conditions, Russian female students need friends and new knowledge for volunteer participation. Belarusian female students more often respond to personal offers to dovolunteer work. Data from a survey of female students show that Belarusians female students perceive their volunteer activity as participation in social work. Russian female students are engaged in volunteer work on a temporary basis. The governing bodies of the Republic of Belarus consider it important for female students to engage in volunteer work. In Russia, it is advisable to actively promote women’spublic organizations to increase the participation of female students in their projects.

Russian students, Belarusian students, youth volunteering, women in volunteering