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All Work and No Play?

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 All Work and No Play?

All Work and No Play?
Listening to What Kids and Parents Really Want from Out-of-School Time

The following results are based on a national random sample of 609 middle and high school students. The survey was conducted by telephone from June 18-28, 2004. The margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points.

Results of less than 0.5 are signified by an asterisk (*). Results of zero are signified by a dash (-). Responses may not always total 100% due to rounding. Combining answer categories may produce slight discrepancies between the numbers in these survey results and numbers in the report.


1. What grade in school did you just finish?

    
 

13%

 

Sixth

 

13%

 

Seventh

 

17%

 

Eighth

 

19%

 

Ninth [freshman]

 

18%

 

Tenth [sophomore]

 

16%

 

Eleventh [Junior]

 

6%

 

Twelfth [Senior]



2. Which of these best describes your day-to-day schedule during the school year?

    
 

22%

 

It was too hectic with too many things to do

 

3%

 

It had too much free time

 

75%

 

It was just about right

 

*

 

Don't know



3. If you could choose one of these as your IDEAL after-school routine, which would it be?

    
 

69%

 

You come home, take it easy, do homework and spend time with friends

 

30%

 

You have a busy schedule with activities to do after school

 

1%

 

[VOL.] Neither

 

*

 

Don't know



4. In a typical school week, how often were you home alone after school?

    
 

13%

 

Five days a week

 

16%

 

Three to four days a week

 

36%

 

Once or twice a week

 

35%

 

Never

 

1%

 

Don't know



5. Which kids do you think are better off?

    
 

85%

 

Kids who participate in organized activities such as a team or a club after school

 

11%

 

Kids who have a lot of time to themselves after school

 

2%

 

[VOL.] Neither

 

1%

 

Don't know



6. From what you know, when kids your age get into trouble, is it mostly because:

    
 

46%

 

They're bored and have too much time on their hands

 

39%

 

Their parents aren't paying enough attention to them

 

11%

 

They don't know right from wrong

 

2%

 

Never

 

2%

 

Don't know


I am going to read you some statements. Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with each one. [Q7-13]


7. My parents would be very upset if they knew some of the things my friends have done—do you agree or disagree? Is that strongly or somewhat?

    
 

36%

 

Agree strongly

 

27%

 

Agree somewhat

 

21%

 

Disagree somewhat

 

16%

 

Disagree strongly

 

*

 

Don't know



8. In my community, there's not much for kids my age to do other than go to school or just hang out—do you agree or disagree? Is that strongly or somewhat?

    
 

31%

 

Agree strongly

 

24%

 

Agree somewhat

 

19%

 

Disagree somewhat

 

26%

 

Disagree strongly

 

1%

 

Don't know



9. Even though I might complain about it, sometimes I need to be pushed by my parents to do things that are good for me—do you agree or disagree? Is that strongly or somewhat?

    
 

62%

 

Agree strongly

 

26%

 

Agree somewhat

 

7%

 

Disagree somewhat

 

4%

 

Disagree strongly

 

-

 

Don't know



10. Belonging to a club or team and doing things with other kids gives me a good feeling—do you agree or disagree? Is that strongly or somewhat?

    
 

67%

 

Agree strongly

 

24%

 

Agree somewhat

 

7%

 

Disagree somewhat

 

2%

 

Disagree strongly

 

-

 

Don't know



11. When adults see kids my age hanging out together, they automatically think we're up to no good—do you agree or disagree? Is that strongly or somewhat?

    
 

25%

 

Agree strongly

 

30%

 

Agree somewhat

 

27%

 

Disagree somewhat

 

18%

 

Disagree strongly

 

1%

 

Don't know



12. When the school day is done, the last thing I want is to go to a place that has more academic work—do you agree or disagree? Is that strongly or somewhat?

    
 

34%

 

Agree strongly

 

27%

 

Agree somewhat

 

22%

 

Disagree somewhat

 

18%

 

Disagree strongly

 

*

 

Don't know



13. A lot of kids get into trouble when they're bored and have nothing to do—do you agree or disagree? Is that strongly or somewhat?

    
 

40%

 

Agree strongly

 

37%

 

Agree somewhat

 

15%

 

Disagree somewhat

 

8%

 

Disagree strongly

 

*

 

Don't know


Think about the school year that just passed. I'm going to ask you about the kinds of activities you participated in when you were NOT in school—that is, after school and on weekends. [Q14-23]


14. Did you participate in any kind of sports activities?

    
 

66%

 

Yes

 

34%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



15. Did you participate in any school clubs or school extracurricular activities?

    
 

62%

 

Yes

 

38%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



16. Did you take lessons in things like music, dance or art?

    
 

52%

 

Yes

 

48%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



17. Did you participate in an organization like the Scouts?

    
 

19%

 

Yes

 

81%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



18. Did you get regular tutoring or extra academic or test preparation?

    
 

30%

 

Yes

 

70%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



19. Did you participate in religious instruction or a church youth group?

    
 

54%

 

Yes

 

46%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



20. Did you do volunteer work?

    
 

60%

 

Yes

 

40%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



21. Did you participate in an after-school program either at school or another location?

    
 

52%

 

Yes

 

48%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



22. Did you have a part-time job?

Base: High school student (n=354)

    
 

37%

 

Yes

 

63%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



23. Is there some other activity that I haven't mentioned that you took part in after school or on weekends during the past school year?

    
 

4%

 

Yes

 

93%

 

No

 

2%

 

[VOL.] Unstructured activity

 

-

 

Don't know



24. Typically, did your activities take place only on school days, only on weekends or both?

Base: Participant (n=596)

    
 

18%

 

Only on school days

 

2%

 

Only on weekends

 

79%

 

Both

 

*

 

Don't know



25. Typically, how many days a week did you participate inyour activities during the past school year?

Base: Participant (n=596)

    
 

20%

 

Every day

 

37%

 

Almost every day

 

37%

 

A couple of days a week

 

6%

 

Less than that

 

*

 

Don't know



26. Generally speaking, do you look forward to joining after school and weekend activities, are you reluctant to do so, or is it somewhere in between?

    
 

38%

 

Look forward

 

7%

 

Reluctant

 

54%

 

Somewhere in between

 

1%

 

Don't know


Now I want you to think about the after-school or weekend activity that you spent the most time doing during the past school year. [Q27-32]


27. Did you feel that the adults in charge really cared aboutthe kids, or did too many act like it was just a job?

Base: Participant (n=575)

    
 

79%

 

Really cared

 

19%

 

Just a job

 

2%

 

Don't know



28. Did you usually have a lot of fun, or were there too many times when you were just passing time?

Base: Participant (n=575)

    
 

85%

 

A lot of fun

 

14%

 

Just passing time

 

1%

 

Don't know



29. Was it easy and convenient for you to get to, or was it sometimes too much of an effort?

Base: Participant (n=573)

    
 

79%

 

Easy and convenient

 

20%

 

Too much of an effort

 

1%

 

Don't know



30. Did you feel that you learned a lot, or did you end up not learning much?

Base: Participant (n=574)

    
 

86%

 

Learned a lot

 

12%

 

Ended up not learning much

 

2%

 

Don't know



31. Did you make any good friends there, or not?

Base: Participant (n=576)

    
 

92%

 

Yes

 

8%

 

No

 

*

 

Don't know



32. Did you feel that the other kids took it seriously and really paid attention, or was there usually too much goofing off?

Base: Participant (n=569)

    
 

59%

 

Took it seriously

 

35%

 

Too much goofing off

 

6%

 

Don't know



33. Thinking back to the past school year, who decided how you spent your time when you were not in school? Was it:

 
 

15%

 

Mostly your parents' decision

 

65%

 

Mostly your decision

 

20%

 

[VOL.] Both equally

 

-

 

Don't know



34. Suppose it’s the school year and you’re looking at different types of organized activities to join after school or on weekends. Which of these three would you like the most? Something that focuses on:

 
 

54%

 

Athletics and team sports

 

36%

 

Things like art, music or dance

 

9%

 

Academics and learning

 

*

 

[VOL.] None of these

 

*

 

Don't know



35. How much would you like an after-school program that gives you time to do homework and has an adult around to help if you need it? Is that something you would like very much, a little, or not at all?

 
 

32%

 

Very much

 

52%

 

A little

 

16%

 

Not at all

 

*

 

Don't know



36. How much would you like an after-school program that focuses on volunteer work and helping other people in the community? Is that something you would like very much, a little, or not at all?

 
 

44%

 

Very much

 

49%

 

A little

 

7%

 

Not at all

 

1%

 

Don't know



37. How much would you like an after-school program that focuses mainly on academic preparation? Is that something you would like very much, a little, or not at all?

 
 

28%

 

Very much

 

53%

 

A little

 

19%

 

Not at all

 

1%

 

Don't know


Some kids your age are not in organized activities after school or on weekends. [Q38-41]


38. When kids don’t participate, do you think it’s because kids are just not interested or motivated, or is that not really a reason?

 
 

71%

 

Not interested or motivated

 

27%

 

Not really a reason

 

2%

 

Don't know



39. When kids don’t participate, do you think it’s because there’s nothing right for their age, or is that not really a reason?

 
 

15%

 

There's nothing right for their age

 

84%

 

Not really a reason

 

1%

 

Don't know



40. When kids don’t participate, do you think it’s because most things are too expensive, or is that not really a reason?

 
 

29%

 

Most things are too expensive

 

71%

 

Not really a reason

 

1%

 

Don't know



41. When kids don’t participate, do you think it’s because most things are too far away, or is that not really a reason?

 
 

28%

 

Most things are too far away

 

72%

 

Not really a reason

 

*

 

Don't know



42. Other than safety, which of these do you think is the BEST reason for a kid your age to be involved in activities after school and on weekends?

 
 

39%

 

To have fun

 

29%

 

To keep them busy and out of trouble

 

19%

 

To develop their interests and hobbies

 

12%

 

To improve how well they do in school

 

*

 

[VOL.] None of these

 

1%

 

Don't know



43. In the past school year, how often did the kids you know complain about being bored and having nothing to do when they weren’t in school?

 
 

26%

 

A lot

 

32%

 

Some

 

27%

 

A little

 

14%

 

Not at all

 

-

 

Don't know



44. In the past school year, how often were you bored and had nothing to do when you weren’t in school?

 
 

15%

 

Often

 

35%

 

Sometimes

 

40%

 

Hardly ever

 

10%

 

Never

 

-

 

Don't know



45. Think about the times when you have free time just to do whatever you choose. Does this usually end up being:

 
 

36%

 

Wasted time

 

57%

 

Productive time

 

5%

 

[VOL.] I always have something to do

 

2%

 

Don't know



46. When you meet with friends, do you usually get together to do something specific, or do you usually get together to hang out without anything specific to do?

 
 26%

 

 

Do something specific

 

69%

 

Hang out without anything specific to do

 

5%

 

[VOL.] Both equally

 

*

 

Don't know



47. In your community, where would you be sure to find the greatest number of kids after school or on weekends? Would it be:

 
 

44%

 

At the mall

 

29%

 

At a playground or sports field

 

13%

 

Hanging out at a local shop or restaurant

 

8%

 

At a community center

 

5%

 

[VOL.] Something else

 

2%

 

Don't know



48. How often do you see people your age using drugs or alcohol?

 
 

11%

 

Every day

 

14%

 

Almost every day

 

28%

 

Sometimes

 

19%

 

Almost never

 

26%

 

Never

 

*

 

Don't know



49. Do you use the Internet at home to surf the Web, play games or chat?

 
 

82%

 

Yes

 

17%

 

No

 

1%

 

[VOL.] No computer at home

 

-

 

Don't know



50. Has anything ever happened on the Internet that you know would upset your parents if they knew about it?

Base: Uses internet at home (n=502)

 

19%

 

Yes

 

81%

 

No

 

*

 

Don't know



51. Do you have your own cell phone?

 
 

41%

 

Yes

 

59%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



52. In talking with your parents on the cell phone, have you ever told them you were one place when you were really at another?

Base: Has own cell phone (n=250)

 

32%

 

Yes

 

68%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



53. Have you ever NOT answered your cell phone when you knew it was your parents calling?

Base: Has own cell phone (n=250)

 

32%

 

Yes

 

68%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



54. Is the mall a place where you sometimes go to hang out?

 
 

56%

 

Yes

 

43%

 

No

 

1%

 

[VOL.] There is no mall

 

-

 

Don't know



55. Have you ever seen anything happen at the mall that you know would upset your parents if they knew about it?

Base: Hang out at mall (n=340)

 

27%

 

Yes

 

73%

 

No

 

-

 

Don't know



56. Do you think most kids who hang out at the mall go there because they think it’s a lot of fun, or because they really don’t have anything better to do?

 
 

37%

 It's a lot of fun

 

 

61%

 

They really don't have anything better to do

 

1%

 

[VOL.] Neither

 

1%

 

Don't know



57. Is there a youth center or community center near your home where kids your age can go in the evenings to hang out and do things?

 
 

46%

 

It's a lot of fun

 

49%

 

They really don't have anything better to do

 

5%

 

[VOL.] Neither



58. How often do you use it—regularly, just for special events or programs, hardly ever, or never?

Base: Youth center near home (n=280)

 

23%

 Regularly

 

 

25%

 

Just for special events or programs

 

32%

 

Hardly ever

 

20%

 

Never

 

1%

 

Don't know



59. If there was one near your home, do you think you would use it?

Base: No youth center near home (n=328)

 

62%

 

Yes

 

29%

 

No

 

9%

 

Don't know



60. When it comes to having enough things for kids your age to do, do you think your community is doing as much as can be expected, or do you think that it could realistically do much more?

 
 

27%

 

Doing as much as can be expected

 

72%

 

Could realistically do much more

 

1%

 

Don't know



61. Do you have any friends who you spend time with on a regular basis who live within walking distance of your home?

 
 

68%

 

Yes

 

32%

 

No

 

*

 

Don't know



62. Other than how you get to and from school, how do you usually get around when you need to be somewhere?

 
 

5%

 

Take public transportation

 

56%

 

Get a ride from someone

 

39%

 

Get around on your own

 

*

 

Don't know



63. Are there academic subjects where you feel you could use extra help and attention?

 
 

55%

 

Yes

 

45%

 

No

 

*

 

Don't know



64. Do you think that the public schools in your community are raising academic standards and expectations for students, lowering them, or are things not changing either way?

 
 

47%

 

Raising them

 

8%

 

Lowering them

 

41%

 

Things are not changing either way

 

5%

 

Don't know



65. For you personally, when is it the hardest to find interesting things to do? Is it during:

 
 

47%

 

The summer months

 

33%

 

The hours after school

 

14%

 

The weekend

 

5%

 

[VOL.] Never hard

 

1%

 

[VOL.] All equally hard

 

1%

 

Don't know



66. Are you generally satisfied with the number of activities and things you can choose to do during the summer, or do you find that you really don’t have enough good choices?

 
 

58%

 

Generally satisfied

 

41%

 

Really don't have enough good choices

 

1%

 

Don't know



67. For the most part, have you already decided what you’re going to be doing during the summer, or are things still pretty much up in the air?

 
 

56%

 

Already decided

 

43%

 

Still up in the air

 

1%

 

Don't know



68. If there was a summer program in your community that helped kids keep up with school work or prepare for the next grade, how interested would you be in it?

 
 

17%

 

Very interested

 

39%

 

Somewhat interested

 

24%

 

Not too interested

 

20%

 

Not interested at all

 

-

 

Don't know



69. During a typical week in the summer, how often do you think you will be home alone during the day?

 
 

16%

 

Five days a week

 

20%

 

Three to four days a week

 

38%

 

Once or twice a week

 

26%

 

Never

 

1%

 

Don't know



70a. Including yourself, how many kids are there in your family?

 
 

16%

 

1

 

37%

 

2

 

26%

 

3

 

22%

 

4 or more

 

*

 

Don't know



70. How often do you keep an eye on your younger siblings when your parents are not home—is that something you do a lot, only once in a while, hardly ever, or don’t you have any younger siblings?

Base: More than one child in family (n=439)

 36%

 

 

A lot

 

25%

 

Only once in a while

 

18%

 

Hardly ever

 

21%

 

[VOL.] Never

 

*

 

Don't know



71. Which of these best describes your family?

 
 

38%

 

Both of your parents work full time

 

20%

 

One works full time and the other part time

 

24%

 

One works full time and the other is mainly at home

 

15%

 

There's only one parent at home

 

3%

 

[VOL.] Something else

 

*

 

Don't know



72. Are both your parents college graduates, one, neither, or are you not sure?

 
 

37%

 

Both are

 

22%

 

One is

 

24%

 

Neither

 

16%

 

Not sure



73. How often, if ever, do you go to religious services?

 
 

14%

 

Never

 

18%

 

A few times a year

 

12%

 

About once a month

 

17%

 

Nearly every week

 

26%

 

Every week

 

13%

 

More than once a week

 

1%

 

Don't know



74. Are you white, black or African American, Hispanic, Asian, or something else?

 
 

74%

 

White

 

9%

 

Black/African American

 

12%

 

Hispanic

 

2%

 

Asian

 

1%

 

Native American

 

3%

 

Something else

 

*

 

Don't know



75. Do you get free or reduced price lunches at school?

 
 

27%

 

Yes

 

71%

 

No

 

2%

 

Don't know



Region

 
 

19%

 

Northeast

 

23%

 

Midwest

 

35%

 

South

 

23%

 

West



Urbanicity

 
 

21%

 

Rural

 

52%

 

Suburban

 

27%

 

Urban



Gender

 
 

50%

 

Male

 

50%

 

Female

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