Beyond violence prevention in inner-city physical activity programs.

Abstract

Although violence prevention strategies can help inner-city children and youth, programs that are holistic, value-based, and empowerment-oriented are needed to help these young people fully develop their personal and social values and skills. A Responsibility Model that meets these criteria and has provided the goals and strategies for a number of physical activity programs for inner-city youth is described, along with two in-depth descriptions of specific applications in inner-city extended day programs. Program evaluation data reflect the promise of this model along with the difficulties associated with combating the many social problems of inner-city life.