2-017 - Addressing Inequality and Diversity in Organized After-School Activities through Cultural Responsivity

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Integrative Statement

High-quality organized after-school activities support positive youth development, in part, because they provide a safe setting with empowering experiences where youth feel valued for who they are and what they can contribute (Mahoney, et al., 2009; Vandell, et al., 2015). But what if activities are positive spaces for some youth, but not all? In fact, some adolescents report feeling misunderstood, marginalized, and discriminated against when they were at organized activities (e.g., Lin et al., in press). Some adults who work with youth feel they do not have the relational skills needed to bridge cultural differences between themselves and youth (Spencer, 2007). How do researchers and practitioners help ensure that after-school activities are culturally responsive to youth diversity and address potential inequalities among youth to promote positive development for all youth and not privilege a select few? Panelists will discuss a new conceptual framework on culturally responsive activities and its relevance to three existing activities that are diverse in the populations they serve, their goals, and the lessons learned. The goal of the panel will be to discuss applied issues around creating and sustaining culturally relevant activities as well as how do we as a field best evaluate these activities.

Sub Unit

• Education, Schooling

Moderator

• Sandra Simpkins, UCI

Panelists

• Amy Bohnert, Loyola University Chicago

• Nancy Deutsch, University of Virginia

• Nicole Zarrett, University of South Carolina