A Comparison of Family Characteristics and Attitudes Toward After‐school Care for Latchkey Children

Le résumé fourni par la source

Abstract A convenience sample of 20 families with employed parents and school‐age children who attended a local after‐school program was compared with a convenience sample of 20 families with employed parents whose school‐age children did not attend the program. The groups were compared to examine the relationship between family characteristics and attitudes toward after‐school programs and the use of such programs by families with employed parents. The presence of a sibling 13 years of age or older tended to influence a family's decision to use the program. In addition, although an after‐school program was easily accessible in this community, 67 percent of children (mean age 8 years) who did not attend went home after school to an older sibling whose mean age was 11 years. In addition, 22 percent of children (mean age of 8 years) who did not attend came home alone or with younger siblings. These findings indicate important implications for public health and school nurses to find innovative methods in meeting the needs of this population at risk.

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