HIGH-SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - CLOSED STRUCTURES AND STRATIFYING PATTERNS OF PARTICIPATION

Much existing research documents the benefits gained by students when they participate in high school extracurricular activities (Camp, 1990 ; Eidsmore, 1964; Haensly, Lupkowski, & Edlind, 1986; Holland & Andre, 1987; McNeal, 1995; Yarworth & Gauthier, 1978). However, we know litt le about the patterns of participation (i.e., who is more likely to pa rticipate in which activities?), A finding in this research was that e xtracurricular activities are not equitably participated in by various subgroups of the high school population. To some degree, members of v arious racial and ethnic minority groups have greater likelihood(s) of participating in all types of extracurricular activities studied (ath letics, cheerleading, fine arts, academic organizations, newspaper/yea rbook, student government/service organizations, and vocational activi ties), Girls have an increased likelihood of participating in all the activities except athletics, which are dominated by boys, Finally, evi dence also supports the hypothesis that the high school extracurriculu m is one arena in which students of higher socioeconomic standing and greater academic ability have a distinct advantage, Given the differen tial rates of participation, and specifically the increased rates by v arious minorities, restricting access to or eliminating specific activ ities may make student access, and the resulting benefits from partici pation (e.g., network, prestige, cultural capital), less equitably dis tributed among the student population.