Extracurricular Activities

Importance to Educational Psychology

Extracurricular activities are an integral part of the school experience for many youth. In the 1999 National Survey of America's Families, 81% of 6-to [Page 388]11-year-olds and 83% of 12-to 17-year-olds reported participating in an at least one extracurricular context over the past year, with sports being the most common activity. However, although a large percentage of youth participate in extracurricular activities, many still spend a great deal of time unsupervised during the after-school hours. In fact, 40% to 50% of young people's waking time is spent in discretionary activities. In a recent national study, on average, youth reported spending 5 hours each week participating in organized activities. At any one time, around 40% of youth were not involved in any organized activities. Most youth reported spending significantly more time in unstructured leisure activities, such as hanging out with friends or watching television, than they spent in organized activity contexts.

Another reason for the interest in extracurricular activities is the potential role of such activities in promoting achievement and preventing school disengagement. Conventional wisdom holds that by participating in extracurricular activities, individuals learn skills that will help them achieve in school, for example, a strong work ethic, respect for authority, time management, and perseverance. Participation also may have academic benefits because some types of activities are structured to reinforce classroom learning and offer students the opportunity to apply academic skills in real-world contexts. Involvement in extracurricular activities may be especially important for youth who do not excel academically, offering the individual another setting to develop skills and gain recognition. Participation in extracurricular activities also may enhance students' attachment to school and reduce the likelihood of their dropping out by contributing to their sense of being a valued member of the school community. Finally, spending time in these settings may have motivational benefits. Youth report high rates of alienation and boredom in traditional curricular contexts but positive affect and motivation in organized out-of-school activities.

Demographic changes also have fueled the interest in research on the effects of extracurricular participation. An increase in parents' work commitment has resulted in large numbers of youth who are unsupervised during the after-school hours. Research has shown that the lack of adult supervision places these children at a higher risk for negative outcomes. High rates of family mobility and the disorganization of many neighborhoods have also weakened the informal supports for many youth. Participation in organized programs, like extracurricular activities, during the after-school hours can help to compensate for the absence of family and community supports.

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