Recreation and Young Latino Males

Ariel Rodrguez, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorSchool of Community Resources and DevelopmentArizona State UniversityRecreation and Young Latino MalesSeptember 30, 20101Mans Search for Meaningwe can discover this meaning of life in three different ways:By creating a work or doing a deed;By experiencing something or encountering someone;By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering. Viktor E. Frankl, 1959, p. 111September 30, 20102IntroductionAbout meWhat needs do Hispanic/Latino males have?What is recreation?How does recreation meet these needs?Program componentsProgram outcomesProgram participationExample programsSeptember 30, 20103My Personal ContextBorn and raised in Miami, FLCuban immigrant parentsLow income housing where gangs were prevalentJuvi was part of my every day languageLatchkey kidAt 28, received Ph.D. and began an as assistant professor at the University of Florida

September 30, 20104Push and Pull of Positive Youth DevelopmentRisk factorsProtective factorsResiliency traitsSeptember 30, 20105

5Risk Factors (Pull)September 30, 20106Child Wellbeing a multidimensional construct incorporating the following dimensions:Psychological PhysicalSocialCognitiveEconomic

722 Risk Factors of Child WellbeingIndividualFamilial and HouseholdEconomicPhysical EnvironmentPresence of disabilitySingle parent householdReceives food stampsOvercrowded householdPresence of multiple disabilitiesLinguistically isolated householdHousehold receives public assistanceHousehold lacks complete kitchenNot enrolled in school not HS gradNon-English speaking householdHousehold below povertyHousehold lacks complete plumbingSpeaks English less than very wellParent(s) foreign born; in U.S. 5 years or lessNo employed parent in householdRented homeChild is foreign born; in U.S. 5 years or lessParent(s) has less than high school educationChronic unemployment in householdNot a single family homeCared for by grandparentCared for by grandparent for 3 or more yearsSource: US Census Bureau (2007). Risk Factors for Children in the U.S., States, and Metropolitan Areas: Data from the 2007 American Community Survey. www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/risk-factors-presentation.ppt78Percentage of Children with No Risk Factors by Selected Social Characteristics (2007)

9.1% - HispanicU.S.: 31.5%37.4% - Not Hispanic6.5% Other race25.7% Two or more races9.8% Nat. Hawaiian/Pac. Isl.19.2% - Asian12.3% Amer. Ind./Alaska Nat.13.1% Black40.0% - White28.0% - 0 to 4 year olds31.9% - 5 to 9 year olds33.7% - 10 to 13 year olds33.3% - 14 to 17 year olds31.4% - Boys31.7% - GirlsSource: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007RaceHispanicAge GroupSex9Percentage of Children with 8 or More Risk Factors by Selected Social Characteristics (2007)

8.6% - HispanicU.S.: 3.0%1.5% - Not Hispanic10.0% Other race2.4% Two or more races5.4% Nat. Hawaiian/Pac. Isl.4.1% - Asian4.2% Amer. Ind./Alaska Nat.4.0% Black1.9% - White2.7% - 0 to 4 year olds3.8% - 5 to 9 year olds3.0% - 10 to 13 year olds2.5% - 14 to 17 year olds3.0% - Boys3.0% - GirlsSource: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007RaceHispanicAge GroupSex10Educational Attainment by Sex: 2006 Percent(Population 25 years and older)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey1011Occupation of the Employed Male Civilian Population 16 Years and Older: 2006

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey

(Percent distribution)12Median Earnings by Sex in the Past 12 Months: 2006(For employed, full-time, year-round workers 16 and older.In 2006 inflation-adjusted dollars)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community SurveyChildren under 18 living in poverty, 2008CategoryNumber (in thousands)PercentAll children under 1815,45120.7White only, non-Hispanic4,85011.9Black4,48035.4Hispanic5,61033.1Asian53113.3SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009, Report P60, n. 238, Table B-2, pp. 62-7.September 30, 201013National Poverty Center. http://www.npc.umich.edu/poverty/13One parent householdsSeptember 30, 20101428% of Hispanic children living in a one parent household93% of these children live with their mother only

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel, Wave 2.Protective Factors (external assets)September 30, 201015Caring relationships withAdults in the homeAdults in the schoolAdults in the communityPeersHigh expectations fromAdults in the homeAdults in the schoolAdults in the communityPeersMeaningful participation and contribution inThe homeThe schoolThe community

Source: The Healthy Kids Resilience AssessmentResiliency Traits (internal assets)September 30, 201016Social competenceCooperation and communication skillsEmpathyProblem solving skillsAutonomy and sense of selfPersonal convictionSelf-efficacySelf awarenessSense of meaning and purposeOptimismGoals and aspirationsSource: The Healthy Kids Resilience AssessmentWhat is Recreation?An activity that diverts or amuses or stimulatesRefreshment of one's mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates

September 30, 201017The complete meal is recreation programs (youth development programs with a recreation component)

September 30, 201018Role of Recreation ProgramsRecreation is a hook or a means of attracting youth to programsProvide a safe environment for youth to interactDeal with unproductive time within which youth can get into troubleDevelop competencesSkill development and social competenciesRules and DisciplineAcademic proficienciesPromote healthy living (physical activity and nutrition)Forge positive relationships with adults and peersExpectations

September 30, 201019Source: Witt, P. & Crompton, J. (1996). The at-risk youth recreation project. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 14(3), 1-9.Recreation Program ComponentsBossParticipantsActivityPhysical settingSeptember 30, 201020The BossProgrammerLeaderCoach

September 30, 201021ParticipantsFriendsPeersMentors (e.g., Big Brothers)

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The Activity*September 30, 201023Sports (31%)Religious activities (20%)Arts (18%)Scouts (10%)Community service (8%)Academic activities (7%)Clubs (6%)

* Percent of children Kindergarten through 8th grade who participated in after-school activities at least once per week, 2005Source: Wirt, J., Choy, S., Rooney, P., Provasnik, S., Sen, A., and Tobin, R. (2006). The Condition of Education 2006 (NCES 2006-071). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Table 13-1.The Physical SettingTeen recreation centerSchoolParkLibraryTrackPoolFields

September 30, 201024Outcomes of developmentally sound recreation programsSeptember 30, 201025Personal development improved self-esteem, spiritual growth, enhanced creativity, problem solving, self-relianceSocial growth acquire new friends, learn group skills, gain social support, acceptancePhysical development enhance physical fitness, develop motor skills, better energy, improved self-imageAcquire positive values acquire new positive values or strengthen existing values, through teamwork, cooperation, learning, and interacting with positive role modelsSource: Edginton, S. R. & Edginton, C. R. (1994). Youth programs: Promoting quality services. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing.September 30, 201026Self-expression opportunities for self-expression, creativity, supervised risk, fantasy, progression toward personal potentialLearning and growth opportunities for learning and growth, exploration and exposure to new facts and ideas. Activities that enhance appreciation of nature, the arts, science and other topicsMemories, inner resources a chance for youth to build within themselves a wealth of positive, pleasant, and meaningful memories that will strengthen and sustain them through their childhood and adulthood

Source: Edginton, S. R. & Edginton, C. R. (1994). Youth programs: Promoting quality services. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing.More specific to Latino MalesMentalChannel excess energy (emotion regulation)Reduce hyperactivityChannel angerReduces stressSelf-disciplineSafe havenPhysicalDevelop life-long skillsHelps maintaining good health and body weight (self-image)SocialPositive male role modelsPositive male peer interactions

Why male Latinos (primarily Mexican) participate in out-of-school programs (youth ages 9-19 in urban communities in Michigan)Personal development/confidenceIncrease social lifeLearn life skillsImprove self/communitySafe haven/respiteSource: Borden, L. M., et al. (2006). Challenges and opportunities to Latino youth development: Increasing meaningful participation in youth development programs. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 28(2), pp. 187-208. September 30, 20102828Why male Latinos (primarily Mexican) do not participate in out-of-school programs (youth ages 9-19 in urban communities in Michigan)Home/school/workLack money/transportationDont like people who run programExternal constraints (i.e., language barriers, lack of information, negative opinions of others)Safety issuesSource: Borden, L. M., et al. (2006). Challenges and opportunities to Latino youth development: Increasing meaningful participation in youth development programs. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 28(2), pp. 187-208. September 30, 20102929Differences among Latinos for participating in out-of-school programsLatino youth (recent moved to US; immigrants)Develop job skillsFind a safe haven/respiteLatino youth (long history in the US; grandparents in the US)Desire to increase social lifeEmotional regulationSource: Borden, L. M., et al. (2006). Challenges and opportunities to Latino youth development: Increasing meaningful participation in youth development programs. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 28(2), pp. 187-208. September 30, 201030Example Hispanic Specific ProgramsSeptember 30, 201031Latino Community Development Agency (OK)- Working to enhance the quality of life of the Latino community through education, leadership, services and advocacy. Website: http://lcdaok.org/home/Greater Hartford Male Youth Leadership Program (CT)- In collaboration with community based agencies, our partnership seeks to minimize educational, economic and developmental disparities in African-American and Hispanic Latino-American males through programs and curriculum designed to enhance and develop leadership and social skills.Website: http://www.ghmylp.org/About.html

September 30, 201032Valle del Sol (AZ)- Inspiring positive change by investing in human services, strengthening self-sufficiency for families, and building the next generation of Latino leaders.Website: http://www.valledelsol.com/Mexican American Community Services Agency (CA)-MACSA's mission is to enrich the lives and to advance the interests of the Latino community of Santa Clara County.Website: http://www.macsa.org/purpose.htm

Youth Serving AgenciesNational youth-serving agencies (private, non-profit) serve approximately 30 million youth a yearYMCA4-HBoys and Girls ClubsBoy ScoutsCamp FireBig Brothers/Big SistersJunior AchievementPublic AgenciesParks and RecreationProgramsSpectrum of sport activitiesArts and craftsDanceDramaSpecial events

FacilitiesCommunity centersParksPoolsAthletic fieldsPlaygroundsOutdoor nature areas (e.g., trails, nature centers)

September 30, 201035LibrariesYoung individuals represent about half of all public library usersYouth go to library not only for books, but because they provide a safe haven in rough neighborhoodsRelationship with park and recreationBook Blast with Phoenix Afterschool Center (PAC)

An after-school program near youSeptember 30, 201036http://www.azafterschool.org/AzAfterschool-Directory/Find-Programs-Near-You.aspx

Mans Search for Meaningwe can discover this meaning of life in three different ways:By creating a work or doing a deed;By experiencing something or encountering someone;By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering. Viktor E. Frankl, 1959, p. 111September 30, 201037Questions

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