One would have to be a seriously competent social anthropologist to analyse cultural influences and codes when it comes to philanthropy.

In addition if we consider political influences at work the direction is not at all clear.

What made me think of how people are motivated and why they feel they should be “givers” and “supporters”? A conversation with a friend who comes from a country where the state professes to look after it’s citizens. Work is supposed to be guaranteed, education is free, health and medicine available to all as well. Then what becomes of charity?

My friend felt the call to give wasn’t particularly familiar or heeded. “The state looks after people, why should they give extra?” He believed this was the prevailing attitude. Yet he also felt his countrymen were beginning to see how they could learn from others who do give. His society may have been looked after by the state however there were many special requirements and needs which could do with funding. There were many areas needing support above and beyond what the state wanted to give. Recently he was starting to sense a change in attitude, an awareness of how helping one another has many socially sound benefits.

Jollypeople.com sometimes wonders if it is the celebrity world in fields such as sport, acting, music is bringing renewed attention to charities. When we research Events we are amazed at how many of today’s celebrities are willing to lend their name, a hand, put in efforts to assist a growing list of charities.

Events do more than funding, they bring people together making the community cohesive. We discussed the social benefits of events, how they made people happy, how they gathered like-minded people together. How there was a feeling of community sharing in helping others, how important it was on a human scale. Individuals helping individuals in an inclusive, organized way.

It is interesting to observe how many cultures and countries seem to regard philanthropy or giving as expected. Communities focus on helping those who need a hand. Their schooling includes physical aid to others. Simple tasks are assigned to young children. Singing at the local hospital is one many parents hear about. Visiting the sick and elderly is another favored task. Fundraising to help aid tsunami victims, cyclone-affected communities, earthquake disasters is encouraged. The feelings of satisfaction and contribution are part of the result although one would want the “givers” to think of how they can help rather than the personal feelings they derive from the work they do. Those who do become involved in charity often speak of the positive feelings experienced in their work, even though they are reminded and remind themselves, giving is giving and not tied to reward. The positive effects seem shared.

There are many times when people need help. The needs can be unexpected like physical catastrophes, they can be part of people’s lives such as disabilities. When we look at jollypeople.com we’re constantly reminded of how many different areas of charity are supported by the events taking place. The people creating the events and the benefiting charities rely on people’s attitudes to giving and involving themselves to succeed.

We need to continually educate our children, communities and leaders to feel “giving is part of living”.

It’d be interesting to hear from people out in the “blogosphere” what their community attitudes are to being involved in Charity work.

What they feel about a giving world “sans barriers”.