According to the Valerie Strauss, students who get to participate in after school programs are less likely to be victims or perpetrators of violence, join gangs, become teen parents or engage in other risky or inappropriate behaviors (Strauss). After school programs keep students safer and have a positive impact on their behavior.

On the flip side, not having access to after school programs can negatively impact behavior. A study done by the University of California-Irvine, The University of Wisconsin-Madison and Policy Studies Associates Inc.  concluded that “a lack of supervision after school is associated with seriously negative outcomes for disadvantaged youth” (Vandell). Students, particularly those from low-income households, desperately need the structure and the safety that after school programs provide. Without that structure in their life, there could be dramatic consequences. Specifically, the study found that there was a decline in alcohol and drug use among middle school students who participated regularly in after school programs, in contrast to those with little after school supervision. They also found that misconduct was reduced over a two year period for the groups participating in the programs versus the low supervision group.

It is crucial that students have outlets for expression and intellectually stimulating activities to do after school gets out. If they are home alone consistently with nothing to do, it may increase the likelihood of involvement in dangerous activities. After school programs keep children occupied, teach them positive behaviors, and keep them safe until parents or guardians can come home from work and supervise them.