Four Popular Stereotypes About Children in Self‐Care: Implications for Family Life Educators

Riley, Dave; Steinberg, Jill

doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2004.00013.x

Cited by 15 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…Proponents argue for a positive impact of self‐care, including its allowing parents the opportunity to work and providing youth an experience that may increase their responsibility, independence, and self‐reliance (e.g., Belle, 1994, 1999; Galambos & Dixon, 1984; Stewart, 1981). In contrast, opponents have pointed to risks that can arise for unsupervised youth, such as injury, victimization, exposure to crime, and association with deviant peers (e.g., Galambos & Dixon, 1984; Riley & Steinberg, 2004; Zigler, 1983).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Should We Care About Adolescents Who Care for Themselves? What We Have Learned and What We Need to Know About Youth in Self‐Care

Mahoney

Parente

2009

Child Dev Perspectives

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This article provides an overview of existing research on the prevalence and predictors of adolescent self-care and on the consequences associated with it. Self-care, in which the young are left unsupervised during out-of-school hours, is a common experience for millions of American youth, and existing studies suggest that this arrangement may represent a risk for the development of behavior problems. However, the behavior problems associated with self-care depend on both individual and environmental factors and are most likely to develop when self-care (1) occurs out of the home, (2) involves permissive parenting and/or low parental monitoring, (3) takes place in neighborhoods with high levels of crime and disorganization, (4) involves adolescents with preexisting behavioral problems, and (5) represents an intensive and persistent arrangement. Following our survey of current research on self-care, we offer recommendations regarding future research and policy.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Should We Care About Adolescents Who Care for Themselves? What We Have Learned and What We Need to Know About Youth in Self‐Care

Mahoney

Parente

2009

Child Dev Perspectives

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“…Parental decision making about self-care is influenced to a considerable degree by their perception of how mature and capable their children are; parents tend to leave children they consider more mature in self-care (Vandell & Shumow, 1999). Interestingly, as noted by Riley and Steinberg (2004), although many parents think that young adolescents are less fearful and more capable of handling emergencies than younger children, a number of risks actually increase as children enter early adolescence. For example, as compared to school-aged children, young adolescents are more likely to use social network Internet sites, traverse a greater geographic range, and experience increased exposure to peers just at the time that susceptibility to negative peer pressure is rising (Riley & Steinberg, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Academic and Behavioral Characteristics of Young Adolescents in Self-Care

Shumow

Smith

2008

The Journal of Early Adolescence

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This study examines characteristics of young adolescents who experience self-care, associations between self-care and academic achievement, and whether associations of self-care with academic adjustment vary by child, family, or community characteristics. Using data from the nationally representative 1999 National Household Education Survey, hierarchical log-linear models assessed how self-care was associated with several academic and behavioral measures for 9-to 13-year-olds. Overall, more self-care was significantly associated with lower academic performance and with school behavior problems, although those associations varied by gender, parent-child communication, and whether young adolescents in self-care also participated in some supervised out-of-school activities. Findings are discussed in light of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory.

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“…However, the impact of leaving children at home alone is controversial. If children are mature enough to stay safely at home, being alone might provide them with unique opportunities to enhance their independence, responsibility, and confidence ( 5 , 6 ). Moreover, older adolescents are more likely to report positive responses to the question on being at home alone, such as having time to read a book and do homework without distraction, and having the opportunity to invite friends over or to go out with friends ( 7 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Leaving Children at Home Alone and Their Mental Health: Results From the A-CHILD Study in Japan

et al. 2018

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Leaving children at home alone is considered a form of “neglect” in most developed countries. In Japan, this practice is not prohibited, probably because this country is considered to have relatively safe communities for children. The impact of leaving children at home alone on their mental health is a controversial issue, and few studies have examined it to date. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of leaving children aged 6 or 7 years at home alone on their mental health, focusing on both the positive and negative aspects; that is, resilience, difficult behavior, and prosocial behavior. Data from the Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty (A-CHILD) study were used. The caregivers of all children in the first grade in Adachi City, Tokyo, were targeted, of whom 80% completed the questionnaire (n = 4,291). Among the analytical sample which comprises those who completed both exposure and outcome variables (n = 4,195), 2,190 (52.2%) children had never been left at home alone, 1,581 (37.7%) children were left at home alone less than once a week, and 424 (10.1%) children were left at home alone once a week or more. Child resilience was measured using the Children's Resilient Coping Scale, and difficult behavior (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems) and prosocial behavior using the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the dose-response association between leaving children at home alone and child mental health, followed by propensity-score matching as a pseudo-randomized controlled trial to reduce potential confounding. The results showed that leaving children at home alone once a week or more, but not less than once a week, was associated with total difficulties scores, especially conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems. These findings indicate that leaving children at home alone should be avoided in Japan, as is recommended in North America.

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Four Popular Stereotypes About Children in Self‐Care: Implications for Family Life Educators

Cited by 15 publications

References 26 publications

Should We Care About Adolescents Who Care for Themselves? What We Have Learned and What We Need to Know About Youth in Self‐Care

Should We Care About Adolescents Who Care for Themselves? What We Have Learned and What We Need to Know About Youth in Self‐Care

Academic and Behavioral Characteristics of Young Adolescents in Self-Care

Relationship Between Leaving Children at Home Alone and Their Mental Health: Results From the A-CHILD Study in Japan

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