The face of American volunteers

American women are more likely to participate in civic and community activities than men, according to a new study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research. The study also found that women who feel safe in their neighborhoods are 75 percent more likely to play active roles.

According to the research, men and women are involved in different types of civic activities and organizations. While men and women participate at similar rates in some activities (neighborhood civic groups, youth development programs, and arts or cultural groups), women are more likely to participate in programs for the poor, elderly, homeless, and students who need tutoring.

Workers and married people are more likely to volunteer, and whites and blacks participate slightly more than those of other races. People with children between the ages of 5 and 17 participate at higher rates than those with younger kids or no children.

Women who know their neighbors participate 40 percent more than women who don't, and women with children under the age of 5 are 50 percent less likely to be civically engaged than those with children between the ages of 5 and 17.