Why are some Children Left Out? Factors Barring Canadian Children from Participating in Extracurricular Activities

Authors

  • Li Xu Department of Sociology, University of Calgary, Calgary Alberta
  • Anne H. Gauthier Department of Sociology, University of Calgary, Calgary Alberta
  • Lisa Strohschein Department of Sociology, University of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25336/P6CW3H

Abstract

Using three waves of data from the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, this study examines the impact of child, family and community level characteristics on children’s participation in extracurricular activities between the ages of 4 and 9 (n=2,289). Results show a large positive effect of family income on children’s participation in structured activities. Living in a poor neighbourhood constitutes an extra disadvantage for children's participation in organized sport activities. Our study also identifies a positive association between parent’s education and children’s participation in most activities, and a negative association between family size and some structured activities. Furthermore, children of immigrants, as well as children of visible minority and aboriginal children were found to be disadvantaged in their participation in some activities.

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Published

2009-12-31