SOCIAL REPRODUCTION AND THE CORPORATE OTHER - THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES

This article identifies and describes a phenomenon that has arisen ove r the course of the last generation: an institutionalized ''afterschoo l'' period marked by children's involvement in adult-organized and -su pervised activities. We trace the historical development of this perio d and examine its socializing influences on children. Children experie nce passage through an ''extracurricular career'' that begins with a r ecreational ambiance but progresses into competitive and finally elite activities as they grow older and become more skilled. Along this rou te, their leisure activities become less spontaneous and more rational ized, focused, and professionalized. Adults' incursion into children's play thus represents a means for them to reproduce the existing socia l structure and to socialize young people to the corporate work values of American culture.