PEACE CORPS IN THE 21 ST CENTURY: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

60life when you get back. Or you may return to the same career, but with a renewedsense of purpose and clarity. 115The Peace Corps emphasizes that career changes are normal. The organizationanticipates that the average American will no longer hold the same job for his or herentire life. The Peace Corps emphasizes the idea of “adventure,” providing somethingout of the ordinary as a break from mundane details of daily life. Adventure can eitherlead to a new path or a return to the old with a new perspective. To those peoplesuffering from a banal existence, the Peace Corps targets the everyday life in America asthe culprit for unhappiness. The Peace Corps, for most people, is something entirelydifferent.Older AmericansThe Peace Corps’ campaign to recruit the over-50 community focuses on safety,health, and family. The web site states, “[a]s an older American you may have somespecial concerns: perhaps about your health and safety while overseas, or about stayingconnected to friends and family.” 116The aim is to create a feeling of caring. This is fardifferent than the pages dedicated to the young, white, middle-class volunteer. Theorganization goes on to focus specifically on the largest concern of older volunteers,family:Families and Volunteers are encouraged to stay in touch with each other. You'llhave plenty of opportunities to keep in touch, from rediscovering the art of letterwriting to the occasional phone call or email. You'll also accrue vacation timeduring your service, and you may use this time to travel home if you so choose.