Yesterday was Halloween, was a good day to think about giving. I actually think about this quite a bit. On more than one occasion I have been told that giving isn't altruistic because the person giving gets something, in that it makes them happy. Personally I think the only reason to be generous is because it can make a person happy to give. Happiness is not a four letter word. It is also a great motivator. I ran out of mini candy bars for my trick-or-treat bags, I didn't want to go get more. But, the thought of finishing up making the bags and being able to hand out treats got me out the door. I handed out some Tootsie Pops on the way to the store. It was fun. Everyday should be hand out Tootsie Pops day for some it is. I used to work with someone that frequently brought in candy to share. But, I digress. Giving isn't about taking something you have and transfering the ownership to someone else. It is a transaction of course, but it isn't about the material value of what you are giving. That of course is also important, but this is not the only thing that is happening.
When you give someone a gift you are communicating something to that person. You are telling them they have intrinsic value. This usually makes people happy and they at least try to show that they are happy, they say nice things usually, they are grateful. They are communicating something to you as well that is beyond being happy they are saying you have intrinsic value too. They recognize the humanity in you that you opened up at the very least your wallet and gave them something that they either wanted or needed.
I don't know of any studies that have been done on people who have had to rely on the kindness of strangers or in other words charity or social services. If long term receiving has negative mental reprecussions or not. I am going out on a limb and saying it probably does not. But, people in this position rarely have resources that they can share with other people. This might result in some issues if there are issues to be found. I have myself been so broke that I couldn't give people collecting money by the grocery store my spare change, I literally had been counting quarters for taking the bus to work and I literally had none to spare, I felt aweful. Should we think about this when we allow the minimum wage to be so low, when we deny COLAs for Social Security? What if the takers as some so callously lable people, would like to be givers? It isn't easy to give when you are on a fixed income and your expenses are calculated down to the quarter. Or should we concentrate on recruiting people to volunteer more? This usually a more cost effective way to give. Should giving be seen as something we require people to do even if they are not inclined? Can forced giving have an effect of making the giver happier or must it be voluntary for the benefit of happiness to occur? I don't know the answer to these questions, but somebody has to start asking. Is the true cost of poverty not having anything left over to give?
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