ABSTRACT
Welfare reform and other policies affecting low-income families have increased employment, particularly by single parents. As parents spend more time away from home, out-of-school activities for children in middle childhood and adolescence assume a larger and more important role in children’s development. Many out-of-school activities and arrangements present children with the opportunity to develop new skills, to increase their competencies in specific domains, and to form relationships with caring and supportive adults. On the other hand, there may be negative consequences of children spending too much time without adult supervision (e.g., hanging out with friends), particularly for low-income children (Posner & Vandell, 1994, 1999).
