Editing Extracurricular activity (section)

== Benefits of participation ==
A group study conducted by surveying school-age students in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health revealed that 70% of adolescents in the USA are involved in some form of extracurricular activities.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Feldman|first1=Amy|title=The Role of School-Based Extracurricular Activities in Adolescent Development: A Comprehensive Review and Future Directions|journal=Review of Educational Research|volume=75|issue=2|pages=159–210|doi=10.3102/00346543075002159|year=2005|s2cid=145684535}}</ref>

Other studies have shown being involved in extracurricular activities reduces the likelihood of dropping out of school, likelihood of committing a criminal offence, and leads to higher educational retainment and success and achievements in school work,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Eccles|first1=Jacquelynne|last2=Barber|first2=Bonnie L.|last3=Stone|first3=Margaret|last4=Hunt|first4=James|title=Extracurricular Activities and Adolescent Development|journal=Journal of Social Issues|volume=59|issue=4|pages=865–889|doi=10.1046/j.0022-4537.2003.00095.x|year=2003}}</ref> not to mention that the greatest advantage of participating in at least one of these activities is the decrease in anti-social behaviors and students growing up to be more successful in communication and relationships.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mahoney|first1=Joseph|title=School Extracurricular Activity Participation as a Moderator in the Development of Antisocial Patterns|journal=Child Development|volume=71|issue=2|pages=502–516|doi=10.1111/1467-8624.00160|pmid=10834480|year=2000}}</ref>

Involvement in after school clubs and extracurricular activities is beneficial in a variety of ways for the K-12 population. For example, school clubs can offer a place to form relationships and foster learning, and this was demonstrated with multiple groups. Research including students with disabilities involved in extracurricular activities show that they were more likely to have friends than those who were not involved.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1177/0040059915580029 | title=Extracurricular School Clubs | date=2015 | last1=Pence | first1=Alicia R. | last2=Dymond | first2=Stacy K. | journal=Teaching Exceptional Children | volume=47 | issue=5 | pages=281–288 }}</ref> Similar findings with racial and ethnic minorities and immigrant adolescents showed that minority, first, and second generation adolescents were less likely than their counterparts to have friends and be engaged in relationships, however, extracurricular activities facilitated socialization.<ref>Cherng, H. S., Turney, K., & Kao, G. (2014). Less Socially Engaged? Participation in 
Friendship and Extracurricular Activities Among Racial/Ethnic Minority and Immigrant Adolescents. Teachers College Record, 116(3), 1-28.</ref> Thus, being involved in activities outside of school increases students' chances of creating friendships. Also, extracurricular activities can provide families with a safe environment for their children while they are at work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://youth.gov/youth-topics/afterschool-programs/benefits-youth-families-and-communities|title=Benefits for Youth, Families, & Communities {{!}} Youth.gov|website=youth.gov|access-date=2020-04-15}}</ref> This gives the parents an opportunity to get all the work time possible and allows the child to participate in educational or athletic activities. Furthermore, extracurricular activities increase positive self-development, regardless of where the activities take place (at school or away from school) <ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1111/josh.12154 | title=Organized Extracurricular Activities: Are In-School and Out-of-School Activities Associated with Different Outcomes for Canadian Youth? | date=2014 | last1=Guèvremont | first1=Anne | last2=Findlay | first2=Leanne | last3=Kohen | first3=Dafna | journal=Journal of School Health | volume=84 | issue=5 | pages=317–325 | pmid=24707926 }}</ref> Likewise, female adolescents involved in school based extracurricular activities had higher self-esteem than those not involved.<ref>Kort-Butler, L., & Hagewen, K. J. (2011). School-based extracurricular activity 
involvement and adolescent self-esteem: A growth-curve analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(5), 568-81.</ref> The overall findings demonstrate that involvement in activities, whether it be sports, clubs, or school-based programs, have a positive impact on the participant's life.