Benefits of Activity Participation: The Roles of Identity Affirmation and Peer Group Norm Sharing

Abstract

The importance of out-of-school time for healthy development has been stressed in recent reports by foundations and researchers (e.g., Carnegie Corporation, 1992; Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Eccles & Templeton, 2002; Larson, 2000). There is good evidence that participating in extracurricular activities is associated with both shortand long-term indicators of positive development during adolescence. Previous research, however, tells us less about the reasons for these associations. Scholars have suggested that activities can (a) help adolescents acquire both the educational credentials and the cognitive skills needed for adult work roles, (b) work through issues of personal and social identity, (c) acquire the inter-personal skills needed to form healthy social relationships and to succeed in the world of work, and (d) refine the emotional and behavioral skills needed to become fully functioning, independent adults.