What is the biggest barrier that prevents people contributing to a good causes.

[DasPoncho]

I'm doing a group university project on solving problems. Something we identified is that thanks to social media, tv and the internet, people are more aware of problems in their own communities and around the world. But it seems to be the norm that people say "yeah that's a bad situation and it shouldn't be like that" but then don't do anything to help the situation. Why is there a gap between the empathy felt and actually doing something to help? Personally I have always felt I need to sort myself out (an ongoing process) before trying to help people I don't know. Do you feel the same way? Have we lost confidence in the charity models that have been used for so many years? Maybe you want to help but can't afford to give money and you don't know how else you can help.
Do you agree? Do you disagree? What are your thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX7A2UPAGcc

[sandyRoe]

Some people can persuade themselves not to give by citing political corruption in the country where the aid is to go. If they think their donation might be going to help some despot with a new fleet of cars rather than putting food in a starving child's mouth, their purse would stay shut.
Hard times economically must reduce peoples giving. They simply can't afford it.

[ojread2]

With so many people, young, old and more, to help in this country, I have never quite understood why the UK throw vast sums of cash at other nations in an effort to bail them out.

[Brinjal]

I agree with sandy I live in a third world country and know how the corruption goes. Also how much of the aid sticks to the fingers of the donor agencies.

[TheOtherHalf]

I agree with everything said so far. IMO, you are made to feel guilty when seeing these images on TV, but as many of us dont have money to throw around, we cant give to them all and deciding which (if any) are worthy causes, makes you look into exactly where is the donation going and I dont think a lot of it goes to those who really need it

[bravejordy]

Nothing seems to change regardless of how much money we continue to donate. It's kind of like pouring a glass of water into the ocean. At the time of donating we are led to believe the money will buy this and buy that and make x amount of difference, but it never does and we end up thinking "What's the point?" Plus, as already mentioned, how much of the money donated actually gets used to help those that need it? And of course with the economy being what it is today we just can't afford it and I really do think now it's a case of charity begins at home.

[emmie]

not much to add to those who cite corruption in many of these countries, so sorry i don't give to causes outside the UK. That may seem hard hearted but i do believe that Britain gives far too much aid to countries that squander it, on arms, fancy motors, palatial homes for the respective despots.

[DasPoncho]

First of all, apologies for the bad grammer in the title. I wince every time I read it. But there's no edit function.

Thank you for all the answers so far. The corruption factor seems to be a big reason for not donating overseas.
But are there any other common reasons not related to money? Helping doesn't have to be donating money. Maybe its time or other resources.
Actually perhaps this question should be directed at a local problem instead of problems around the world, so the corruption is factor is perceived to be less.

[sandyRoe]

I think there's still a concept in peoples minds of the 'deserving poor'. I give a little to Crisis, a charity that tries to help homeless people here in the UK. When I mentioned it to friends the replies mostly mention drunkenness or drug abuse as the reasons why they're homeless.

[mrs_overall]

I donate by direct debit to 2 of my favourite charities.
The problems I have that stop me donating to certain other charities are:
Endemic corruption and misuse of funds
The continual pestering begging for more once I have made a donation
The amount of money that goes on "administration costs" with some charities

[NOX]

I have certian charities I support, and ones I wouldn't touch with a pole, this is because I have bothered to research the charity's modus operandi and if it's corrupt, greedy and wasteful they don't get my money or time. I'm very happy to donate abroad, in fact it's my perfered way of giving, as there is no cmparison between a child's life you might save giving it clean water and raising money to provide a play area or some such here. I'm open to donating to new charities, but the thing that super turns me off is of I get accosted in the street by a charity mugger- really p1sses me off to no end and you cna guarantee that I won't give to anyone who does that.

[woofgang]

What stops me giving to certain charities is the way I am asked. Chuggers, overkill on the advertising, guilt tripping me and so on. I do have charities that I support regularly by membership or direct debit; I also put smaller amounts into collection boxes.

[abstibus]

I will only donate to overseas projects that use micro-finance grants. I've seen too many bureaucrats and the well-connected from 'Developing countries' that receive huge amounts from charities swanning around in the best hotels with their designer suits, entourages and limousines.
Another factor is 'charity fatigue'.

[China Doll]

I just don't care as much about some charities as I do others. Nothing to do with corruption in the country or anything like that. In some cases, I just straight don't care. Not every sad thing I read about touches me to the point where I feel I want to do something. Possibly harsh but just how it is for me.

[LazyGun]

Difficult to offer a one size fits all answer here. People will either contribute or not to a particular cause for a whole host of reasons - personal and family experience or circumstances, their own attitude to charitable contributions, the extent of their existing charitable giving commitments, whether or not they are in a bad mood when they see the appeal - all sorts of reasons.

For myself, although we now live in a global village with a range of social media and news outlets, I think many people are suffering from charity fatigue. All the adverts now are designed to be hard hitting and to pull on the heart and purse strings - to trade on peoples decency and guilt - and their is a limit to what people are inclined to support. I regularly donate to causes I deem of value - cancer research, World Wildlife Federation, marie curie foundation and the NCB - and I feel disinclined to give to any more.

In fact, I get quite irritated, irrationally and unfairly in all probability, at being approached in the street by people waving a collection bucket, or the continual adverts placed in some leading papers for (I think ) the cleft palate society.

[woofgang]

street collectors who are collecting money (not chuggers who sign you up but take no money at that point) are not allowed to approach you or ask for a donation or rattle the bucket in your face.

[wildwood]

I know it is terribly heartless but giving the starving souls food is only prolonging their agony. Much better to give them condoms and build them water supply so they can grow food. The trouble with humans is that, despite popular believe, woman can bear babies when in very poor health, so hungry mouths will be around for a long time yet.

The corruption and administration ripoff are the main barriers for giving everywhere. Like others, we have 2 charities that we donate set amounts to at regular intervals, providing they do not send begging letters, only low cost emails that keeps us up to date on the progress.

[flobadob]

90% of my charity giving is my leftover change in shops. It might not sound like much but it probably adds up to £5-6 a month. But I don't think I'd donate to anything by direct debit.

[MarkRae]

Wildwood, I could not agree more! I am looking to fund the building of a well in a 3rd-world country either later this year or early next year.

[DaisyNonna]

To whom I give my money is my business.

[flip_flop]

Quite simply, some people aren't of a particularly giving nature.

I'm not.

I don't donate to any charities.

I don't feel bad about that because there is nothing wrong in not giving - it is entirely up to each individual to decide how to spend their money, and I'd much rather spend it on my family.