In Bavaria, 41% of the population participates in civic engagement, i.e. voluntary, charitable, and unpaid activities. This not only contributes to social cohesion but also supports and promotes families in various ways. For example, this support can take the form of learning partnerships, childcare, relief for caregivers, household assistance, leisure activities, or open exchanges in conversations.
Volunteers can provide important support when families find themselves in life phases and situations that are not adequately covered by standard services or when they contribute to the social development of children, for instance, through engagement in sports or music clubs. This contribution from volunteers can also be crucial when family structures change, affecting the ability to act, such as due to employment, caregiving responsibilities, or separation, which can create new needs. It is also important to consider that volunteers are often embedded within family structures and can have a normative influence through their engagement.
The aim of the research project is to determine and analyze the impact of civic engagement on social justice for families, particularly concerning equality of opportunity and access to resources.
Research will initially involve mapping civic engagement based on the analysis of existing data. The next step is to develop indicators for the measurement of social justice based on selected theories of justice. Empirical data will then be collected and analyzed through focus groups and interviews with experts.