Page 1 of 17
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 01 Issue 07
August 2015
Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 429
“Improving Discipline through Student Involvement in
Extracurricular Activities”
Mehr Mohsin Raza
Department of Education, University of Sargodha, Sargodha
E-Mail Adress:mohsinuos35@hotmail.com
Abstract
Students who participate in extracurricular
activities generally benefited from the many
opportunities afforded them. Benefits of
participating in extracurricular activities
included having better grades, having
higher standardized test scores and higher
educational attainment, attending school
more regularly, and having higher a higher
self-concept. Participants in out-of-school
activities often learned skills such as
teamwork and leadership while decreasing
the likelihood of alcohol use and illicit drug
use and related problem behaviors. Those
who participate in out-of-school activities
often have higher grade point averages, a
decrease in absenteeism, and an increased
connectedness to the school. Students who
are over-scheduled in too many activities
find that the benefits of participating in out- of-school activities may actually decrease.
Overscheduled children may be tired,
irritable and show little interest in
participation. Over scheduling too many
physical activities may result in some
students pushing themselves too far with the
potential of having a serious sports-related
injury as students may need time for
relaxation and recovery from intense
athletic training. Extracurricular activities
often cost money to participate in some type
of arranged “pay-to-play" fee. Whether it is
paying the school activity fee or paying for
private lessons or trying to further develop
skills at summer camps, some families just
are not economically able to be involved
with out-of-school activities. Caring adults
should consider working with the community
to help reduce financial barriers to
participation in healthy extracurricular
options for students to develop team
building, skill development and
opportunities for leadership. When balanced
with academic learning, extracurricular
activities may help students raise self- esteem, develop school spirit and connect
with the adults in the community in a
Page 2 of 17
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 01 Issue 07
August 2015
Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 430
positive manner creating a good situation
for all.
Introduction
More than half of American teenagers
attending school participate in some sort of
organized activities (Gardner, Roth &
Brooks-Gunn at el., Mahoney, Harris, &
Eccles, 2006). Organized activities may
include clubs, athletic opportunities, dance
line or cheer teams, Scouts, drama or
theater, youth groups, student council, and
club sports. There is substantial interest in
how teenagers are spending their leisure
time outside the school day, and what types
of activities are important to their
development. There are studies that support
either being involved, being over-involved,
or not being involved at all in
extracurricular activities and how
participation can impact what becomes of
teens in the future based on participation in
activities outside the school day. According
to Eccles (2003), children and adolescents in
the United States spend more than half of
their waking hours in leisure activities.
Along with interest in how leisure time is
being spent, researchers are wondering why
there are high levels of disinterest,
underachievement, disengagement, and
increased amount of time teens spend
unsupervised by adults. Participation in
activities has been linked to social and
academic success, yet over-participation
may be too stressful for young adults as it
may consume too much of their free time.
There are pros and cons to both sides of the
activity participation discussion.
There are different opinions of what
is considered an extra-curricular activity. A
few examples of activities outside the school
day may include pro-social activities such as
dances, team sports, and performing arts,
while in-school involvement activities may
include intramurals, and academic clubs.
Different levels of activity involvement and
participation may positively impact future
success for those who participate. Research
also indicated that both the type of
extracurricular programs and level of
participation may impact the individuals'
development (Eccles, 2003). According to
Gardner et al. (2008), theory and research on
positive youth development emphasizes the
transition of human development, and
suggest that cultivating positive, supportive
relationships with people and social
institutions encourages healthy
development. Considering this perspective,
organized activities, such as extra-curricular
Page 3 of 17
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP
e-ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 01 Issue 07
August 2015
Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 431
activities, can encourage healthy
development because of the support and
opportunities that are present compared to
less positive after school options for teens.
Students who participate in structured
activities are more likely to respect
diversity, play by the rules, and contribute as
a member of a team whether it is sports,
scouting or clubs. So what exactly are the
developmental benefits and consequences of
being associated with extracurricular
participation? This topic continues to be of
interest, partly because of high levels of
alienation and boredom reported by students
in school, developmental increases in
underachievement and school
disengagement, and evidence of increases in
the amount of time adolescence spend
unsupervised by adults (Fredricks& Eccles,
2006). Researchers continue to explore the
positive and negative impacts. Fredricks and
Eccles (2006) found that activity
participation can be linked to positive
academic outcomes, including improved
grades, test scores, more school engagement,
and increased educational aspirations. While
on the other hand, Eccles and Barber (1999)
have noted possible negative consequences
of some types of extracurricular activities. If
a coach is degrading to the team, or if
members of the club exclude others, or just
over-involvement with every spare minute
scheduled in multiple activities, students
may find there are negative consequences
for participation. Either way, it is important
to lmow why students should get involved in
positive activities and how to avoid the
negative impact of over-participation. Along
with understanding the benefits of being
involved in extra-curricular activities,
students and parents may wish to consider
how to balance academics and activities to
have a positive impact on adolescents. Also,
is participation in extracurricular activities a
predictor of what will be accomplished after
high school?
Objective of the Study
There are four research questions this study
will attempt to answer. They are:
1. What are the main effects for
participating in extra-curricular activities?
2. How many students are participating in
activities?
3. In what activities are the students
choosing?
