Jonathan Kolson
Mrs. Zurkowski
Yellows
22 September 2010
Works Cited
Angel, Grace. Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens. http://www.helium.com. Accessed 22 September 2010.
Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens
By Grace Angel
There are many ways that after school activities could reduce teenage crime rates. This is because if the teenager has something that they are interested in, they are less likely to be influenced by peer pressure to engage in negative activities.
If a teenager has a group of like-minded peers with whom they can spend time after school, they will be less likely to suffer from depression and other destructive thought patterns.
This happens when teenagers have the strength of knowing that they can count on each other when their emotions get out of control to come up with positive outlets to solve problems together.
If the teenager is committed to an after school activity, they are less likely to experience boredom. Furthermore, if the after school activity is something that requires a consistent commitment of time, the teenager will be more likely to remain interested in the activity because they have something to look forward to during the week.
If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities.
Normally after school activities lead to the formation of friendships that encourage personal accountability from the teenagers in question. Furthermore, there are normally adult advisors that are helping to organize the activities that often will bond very closely with the teenagers.
Therefore, if the teenager starts to show signs that they are headed down the wrong track in life; the advisor can offer advice or send the teenager in the direction of a counselor that can provide emotional support.
When a teenager feels like people are counting on them they are more conscientious about the actions that they take.
Provided the teenager feels that they can make a difference in the world around them, they will be more likely to be concerned with the decisions they make on a regular basis.
Teenagers that do not feel isolated are less likely to look for self-destructive behaviors to fill an emotional void in their life. It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life.
· Influenced by good people
· Like minded with good people
· They know that they have their friends to rely on
· Teens will not be bored because they will be busy with the extracurricular
· Teens will have something to look forward to
· “If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities.” (Angel)
· Adults will bond with the teens
· They don’t feel isolated
· “It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life.” (Angel)
· Teens feel like they can make a difference in the world
Picture from: http://www.citruscountyfl.org/
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