There is little understanding of the ways in which the practice of philanthropy is, and has been, shaped by income, race/ethnicity and gender. Previous research indicates that race differences disappear when ethnicity-based income disparities, social networks, and other factors that may affect giving are taken into consideration.
One point of view is that individuals who come from a lower socioeconomic household would be less likely to engage in prosocial behavior because they may have fewer resources, less access to social institutions, and a reduced sense of personal control over their life outcomes. In this case, these individuals would exhibit a reduced interest in the welfare of others, prioritizing their own self-interest over the interests of others. Conversely, this point of view argues, those who are more affluent and have additional resources would be expected to act more altruistically toward others.
An emerging body of research suggests a second point of view. Those individuals who are in a lower socioeconomic group may be more dependent on others and more aware of their social environment, and thus may be more likely to act altruistically toward others because of an increased orientation to the needs of others. Little research examines whether these differences emerge early in life.
This study finds that talking to children significantly increases the children's likelihood of giving to charity and that such conversations should be at the top of the list of ways parents can encourage their children's charitable behavior. Talking about charitable giving is more effective than simply role-modeling charitable behavior. As conversations about philanthropy, including why, how, and when we give, become more ingrained within families, children's giving will increase.
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