2-191 - Examining Latino Parents’ Understanding and Involvement in Youth Out-Of-School Programs

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Within the last few years the number of ethnic minority youth participating in out-of-school programs has increased. However, Latino adolescents are still less likely than those from other ethnic/racial groups to participate in out-of-school programs (i.e., adult structured and skill building activities, known to promote academic and interpersonal development; Fredrick & Simpkins, 2012). Youth’s involvement in activities typically depends on the extent that parents promote behaviors targeting that activity, including encouragement, parent-child co-activity, and provision of activity-related materials and experiences in and outside of the home (e.g., lessons, camps; Wigfield et al., 2015). Despite these insights on family practices, there is limited knowledge on how Latino families support their children’s activities. It is therefore necessary to understand how to promote and support ethnic youth involvement in these programs.

The three presentations in this symposium examine different dimensions of parental/caregiver engagement in these programs, from how the decision to join is made, how involved and supportive parent are in the program and what parents/caregivers expect from their youth’s participation. The first presentation expands upon the decision-making process for joining organized activities for Latino youth and parents. The second presentation discusses the importance of parental involvement in their youths’ programs and what inhibits parental participation. Lastly, the third presentation provides insight into parents/caregivers’ cultural expectations for youth by participating in programs. Specifically, parents/caregivers highlight the importance that their youth develop multiculturally.

Sub Unit

• Education, Schooling

Chairs

• MARIA I ITURBIDE, HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY

• Alex R. Lin, Vanguard University

Individual Presentations

• Examining Family Planning of Adolescents’ Enrollment in Organized Activities: Perspectives from Mexican-Origin Families - Presenting Author: Alex R. Lin, Vanguard University; Nickki P. Dawes, University of Massachusetts, Boston; Sandra Simpkins, UCI; Erin R. Gaskin, Arizona State University

• Perspectives From Parent-Adolescent Dyads on Parental Involvement in their Adolescents’ Out-of-School Programs - Presenting Author: Lorraine Munoz, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Marcela Raffaelli, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

• Immigrant Latino Caregivers’ Expectations of Culture, Out-Of-School Programs and Youth Outcomes - Presenting Author: MARIA I ITURBIDE, HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY; Vanessa Gutiérrez, St. Augustine College; Marcela Raffaelli, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Lorraine Munoz, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign