ABSTRACT
Although less studied than schooling and families, participation in organized activities during the after-school hours is common for children and adolescents in many parts of the world (Larson and Verma, 1999; Vandell, Larson, Mahoney, and Watts, 2015). These activities include participating in sports teams, performing arts groups, and service clubs, as well as attending after-school programs housed in schools and at community centers. These activities share some common features: (1) they are typically led by adult staff who are responsible for organizing the activities and ensuring children’s safety, (2) they provide opportunities for young people to interact with peers in supervised settings, and (3) they meet on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal).
