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Youth & Society, Vol. 38, No. 4, 420-442 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0044118X06295051

Participation in Structured Youth Programs

Why Ethnic Minority Urban Youth Choose to Participate—or Not to Participate

Daniel F. Perkins

Pennsylvania State University, University Park,dfp102{at}psu.edu

Lynne M. Borden

University of Arizona, Tucson

Francisco A. Villarruel

Michigan State University, East Lansing

Annelise Carlton-Hug

Montana State University, Bozeman

Margaret R. Stone

University of Arizona, Tucson

Joanne G. Keith

Michigan State University, East Lansing

This study examines the cultural and contextual factors that influence the decisions of underrepresented urban youth, who identify themselves as Black/ African American, Latino, Arab, or Chaldean, to participate in youth programs. Although youth programs are increasingly recognized for their positive influences, little is known about the factors that influence a young person's decision to participate. Using the concept systems method, participants engaged in "brainstorming sessions" that led to more in-depth discussions about why youth participate in youth programs. Overall, youth emphasized how youth programs help young people stay off the streets, learn new skills, avoid boredom, and provide opportunities for fun and enjoyable activities. The perceived barriers preventing young people from participating differed between genders and ethnicities and included barriers related to personal decisions, peer influence, and parental restrictions.

Key Words: youth programs • minority youth • urban youth • participation


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