Black Mothers Perceptions on Positive Youth Development Regarding Recreational Choices for Black Children

Background and Purpose: Research has shown that Black mothers choose to enroll their children in certain recreational activities for the potential benefit of physical fitness, cognitive development, and social development. This study uses positive youth development as its guiding theoretical framework.  An effective positive youth development approach should work towards mitigating negative behaviors (e.g., deviant behavior, drug use, gang-activity), while at the same time enabling youth to develop their social, health (emotional and physical), vocational and civic competencies needed to be contributors to society. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to address the role of positive youth development, perceptions and parental beliefs in the extent to which they influence Black mothers’ choices of out-of-school recreational activities for their children. 

Methods: For this study qualitative measures were deemed to be most effective since Black mothers’ beliefs are partly created through their lived experiences. Framing this study from an interpretive descriptive methodological stance provides a rich understanding of Black mothers’ beliefs about Black children’s out-of-school free time and the influence these beliefs have on recreational activity choices for their children. The sample consisted of 11 Black mothers with a child aged 7-15 years. 

Results: The research findings of this study provides a better understanding of how Black mothers were selecting activities for their children’s out-of-school free time. Black mothers’ responses fell into one of the following categories: Current activities; Ideal activities; Factors influencing their choice; Perceived benefits; Activities not available in the community. The primary purpose that Black mothers expressed for their choice of weekend activities was for relaxation and maintaining/strengthening family bonds. These findings support the literature about the importance of family bonds to the Black community. Hence, mothers’ focused their attention on protecting their weekend time for their family. Black mothers expressed that their choices were based mainly on what they perceived to be in the best interest of their child. When children were allowed to make their own decision about their out-of-school activities, it was simply a matter of their interests and preferences. 

Conclusion and Implications: The findings of this study indicate beliefs regarding recreational activity selection focused on positive youth development in addition to focusing on achieving a desired effect in the way sons and daughters should behave and develop. This study found support for character development, exploring a wide variety of recreational activities, evaluating friendships, discriminatory behaviors, and therapeutic outlets for youth. Furthermore, Black mothers revealed several influences that impacted their choices for out-of-school activities. Exploration was a particularly salient theme to consider in this study as it is not often discussed in the current literature.  

This study has implications for social work practice. These implications include providing better support and resources to Black mothers for recreational activities for their children. There are a variety of activities and approaches that could be provided in the Black community to help facilitate positive youth development in Black children.