The hours between 3:00 and 6:00 PM can have a significant impact on kids’ performance during the regular school day (Schwanenflugel). While middle and upper class students can afford to attend private after school programs, lower income students cannot, leaving some at home alone while parents are at work. According to The National Research Council and Institute of Medicine (qtd. in Board), “About 50 percent of all children today will reside in a single-parent home before age 18, spending an average of 6 years with a single parent.” It’s hard for single parents to juggle staying at home with the kids while also working to provide for them economically. If nearly half of all students are living in single-parent homes, that must mean that many would be home alone if not for after school programs or babysitters. Clearly, there is a great demand for after school programs.

According to the David and Lucille Packard Foundation (qtd. in Board), “Familiar activities like sports, piano lessons, religious classes, and scout troops still do the afternoons and weekends of many children, but other youngsters are adrift after school. Too many fend for themselves in libraries, congregate in subway stations and neighborhood stores, or spend their afternoons behind the locked doors of city apartments and suburban houses.” Many students don’t have access to or the money to attend after school activities through private organizations and are forced to spend their after school hours alone. They may loiter in public places with nowhere to go,  or spend hours home alone with nothing to do. All children should be able to participate in activities. No one should have to be left alone at home because there is no other option.

Research has indicated that the majority of delinquent behaviors occur during the hours of 2:00 to 8:00, which are generally after-school hours(Board 3). After school programs can help cut back on delinquent activity by keeping kids safe and occupied with constructive activities.