Volunteering as reciprocity: Beneficial and harmful effects of social policies to encourage contribution in older age

• Volunteering is beneficial for older people, particularly those with few resources.
• Few financial resources and poor health prevent many older people from volunteering.
• Social norms of reciprocity mean that volunteering contributes to a positive identity.
• Focusing on contribution can lead to withdrawal by those who have the most to gain.
• Policies must support the many ways older people can be involved in their communities.

Social policy applications of ‘active ageing’ ideals have recently focussed on volunteering as a beneficial and valuable contribution that older people can make to their communities. In this paper we draw attention to the positive and negative effects of a general imperative to contribute. Understanding the benefits of contribution in terms of the moral force of reciprocity recognises that older people do need and want to contribute to society and these contributions are beneficial for their sense of identity and wellbeing. However, older people vary greatly in their health, financial resources, and social networks and should not be seen as a homogenous group whose members must contribute in the same way. A policy focus on the imperative to contribute as a participating citizen can be oppressive and lead to withdrawal from social engagement by those who are the most in need of support to participate. Priorities for social and organisational policies must include support for the many ways older people are able to be involved in their communities and to provide structures necessary to support their preferences. A focus on individual responsibility for active engagement in society, which does not take account of individual circumstances or past contributions, can be harmful.