What Do They Usually Do After School? A Comparative Analysis of Fourth Grade Children in Bulgaria, Taiwan and USA
Joan Newman, Temi Bidjerano, Asil Ali Özdoğru, Chin-Cheng Kao, Çağrı Özköse-Bıyık, and John J. Johnson
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 USA (countries with contrasting social values and expectations) reported their usual activities during each after-school hour on two week days and one 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.
Keywords: After-school activities, early adolescence, cross-cultural psychology, autonomy, gender differences
Joan Newman, Temi Bidjerano, Asil Ali Özdoğru, Chin-Cheng Kao, Çağrı Özköse-Bıyık, and John J. Johnson
Keywords: After-school activities, early adolescence, cross-cultural psychology, autonomy, gender differences
Citation: Newman, J., Bidjerano, T., Özdoğru, A. A., Kao, C.-C., Özköse-Bıyık, & Johnson, J. J. (2007). What do they usually do after school? A comparative analysis of fourth grade children in Bulgaria, Taiwan and USA. Journal of Early Adolescence, 27, 431–456. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0272431607302937
