This fact sheet draws from surveys administered to a cohort of 416 participants in 7th grade in 2008, again when they were in 8th grade in 2009, and most recently as 10th graders in 2011 to look at patterns of participation in structured activities over time and whether male and female students differ in these patterns of participation. It also draws from questions added to the 2011 survey of 10th graders to examine Coös County youths’ perceptions about what kinds of barriers have kept them from getting more involved in structured out-of-school activities.

Author Erin Hiley Sharp reports that female students were much more likely than male students to report high levels of involvement in structured out-of-school activities. Perceived barriers to involvement in structured out-of-school activities include lack of time and transportation. Male students were also likely to report their grades as barriers and that nothing interested them.