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What Do They Usually Do After School?

A Comparative Analysis of Fourth-Grade Children in Bulgaria, Taiwan, and the United States

University at Albany, SUNY

Temi Bidjerano

University at Albany, SUNY

Asil Ali Özdoru

University at Albany, SUNY

Chin-Cheng Kao

National Hua-lien University of Education, Taiwan

Çari Özköse-Biyik

University at Albany, SUNY

John J. Johnson

Iona College, New Rochelle, New York

The activities and self-direction allowed after school provide children in different countries with distinct developmental opportunities that promote culturally valued orientations and outcomes. Fourth-grade children in Bulgaria, Taiwan, and the United States (countries with contrasting social values and expectations) reported their usual activities during each after-school hour on 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day. The children also reported whether the activities were self-chosen or chosen by an adult. There were considerable differences in the reported activity patterns, with particular contrast between the American and the Taiwanese children. Compared to American children, Taiwanese reported spending more time in academic and extracurricular pursuits and less time in playing, reading for fun, in sports, or in self-chosen activities. There was substantial agreement in the gender-based participation differences across countries. Girls reported less time spent in free play or computer games and more time in reading, extracurricular activities, routines, and adult-chosen activities.

Key Words: after-school activities • early adolescence • cross-cultural psychology • autonomy • gender differences

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The Journal of Early Adolescence, Vol. 27, No. 4, 431-456 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0272431607302937


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Newman, J. Articles by Johnson, J. J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?