Examining the Use of Leisure for the Sociopolitical Development of Black Youth in Out-of-School Time Programs

Abstract

The current social and political climate in the U.S. requires a reexaminationof how marginalized groups shape their leisure around political identity development and resistance. This paper will first provide a brief introduction to the concept of sociopolitical development (SPD) and its role in culture specific out-of-school time programs that serve Black youth. Next, using a multiple case study approach, the authors examined how leisure informs the SPD of Black youth. Results identify SPD as a critical component of these recreational program’s theoretical approaches, leadership structure, staff selection and training, and curriculum design. Study results inform the ways recreational agencies can serve as sites for SPD and activism for marginalized groups like Black youth.

KEYWORDS:

• black youth
• leisure politics
• out-of-school time
• social justice
• sociopolitical development

Notes

1 The terms “Black” and “African American” will be used interchangeably.

2 Culture-specific youth OST programs refers to youth programs that incorporate the culture of the youth, families, and communities being served (Outley, Brown, Gabriel, & Sullins, 2018). These programs are often created to introduce youth to cultural programming focused on positive racial/ethnic or cultural identity development.

3 The authors would like to note that Afrocentric and Pan-African approaches have been critiqued for failing to acknowledge the role that patriarchy and misogyny play in the lives of African American girls and women (Collins, 1989). However, a discussion surrounding this topic is beyond the scope of this article.