Bridge building : afterschool activities, youth social networks, and community development
Name
56394447-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
12.78 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
d312a8c0fc21d6e3852fbcaaef0ea1fc
Author(s)
Forman, Benjamin
Advisor(s)
Phillip L. Clay.
Date Issued
2004
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
In recent years, U.S. cities have dramatically increased funding for afterschool activities. These afterschool programs may contribute to community development by expanding social networks, providing new channels for the flow of information and resources to low income neighborhoods. Drawing on research and literature from the fields of sociology, political science and adolescent development, I develop an argument for this hypothesis. The theory is tested using both qualitative data collected from interviews at three case study sites, and quantitative data from surveys distributed to afterschool youth programs in the Boston area. I find that afterschool programs build both bridging and bonding social capital by increasing local and extra-local connections between adolescents and adults, peers, and parents. Policy recommendations designed to increase the social network impact of afterschool programming are provided.
Description
Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2004.
"June 2004."
Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-105).
Subjects
Urban Studies and Planning.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Terms of Use
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