Kid's that aren't in activities?

Question

Is it true that kid's that aren't in any activities are trouble makers (Example: Gangs, drinking, Drugs)

Answer 1

You know, I think that idea is very, very old. It depends on what's actually happening at home. If a kid has too much time on their hands and their family doesn't spend time together then they aren't being guided and need attention and an outlet. I wasn't in activities like that and I finished school and graduated from college, but I had a good role model in my Mother and we spent alot of time together when I was growing up.

Answer 2

No it isn't true.. activities do help keep the child occupied... I know plenty of people I went to school with ( football players mostly) were the biggest drug abusers and drunks in the school v.s .  the majority of the student body

Answer 3

If you have lots of free time on your hands, it's much easier to fall out of line. It doesn't mean the kid is automatically going to get in trouble, but it does give them the opportunity.

Answer 4

nope

i am a kid and if us kids arent in activities it probably just means that we are shy or we are not that active

sometimes kids are in gangs but thats not always the case

Answer 5

No, not really.. that seems like a gross generalization. Maybe they just don't like group activities. I don't either, and I can't say I've ever been in a gang. (And for the record, after a certain age, 'drinking' becomes a group activity!)

Maybe they're just shy? Or don't like the activities you're trying to get them to do?

Answer 6

Not necessarily all, but you know that they say about "idle hands."

Answer 7

No.  As a child, I wasn't in activities because my mom was too poor to help maintain that for me.  I just went straight home after school and did my homework.  I never got into gangs, drinking and drugs because I was raised better than that.  My mom arranged for me to do household chores after school in addition to homework and studying.  I wanted a part-time job after school but she didn't allow it.  Even though I was raised like this, I have a son and I want him to do activities or an after school job because it's boring to not have those rewarding experiences.

Answer 8

No but it helps them find things that they like to do.

Answer 9

no of course not.  Anyone can fall prey to that sort of thing.  

Answer 10

i doubt its 100% true. they might be more likely, but thats not even for certain. for example, kids on our varsity soccer/football team drink like crazy

so depends really on who your kids are hanging out with  

Answer 11

Usually bored kids with uninvolved parents get into things like drinking, drugs and gangs. A kid doesn't necessarily have to be involved in organized activities to stay out of trouble. It does help to keep them busy though.

Answer 12

We took in our nephew last year, because he was involved in all the things you listed.  This year he is going into the 9th grade.  We got him involved in Basketball, Scouts and he worked at camp this summer.  I think it helped him to have a sense of belonging.  I told him he is in our gang now! haha  He is doing Awesome.  xox

Answer 13

no! it means they dont  feel like being in a activity they might not be good at anything. that may be true for some though.

Answer 14

They don't necessarily all go that way but it is much easier for them to...MORE time on their hands to get into trouble. Active kids minds and bodies are occupied with Wholesome Activities along with cultivating the right kind of friendships (other active kids) these kids have a Proclivity to do better in School because they have higher self-esteem due to accomplisments outside of school (extra-carricular activity) Their Minds are generally in better shape because their  Bodies are in Better Shape..They have a GOAL...this has been our Experience as a Family...Both of my girls have been in Cheerleading, my 17 year old for 8 years and my 13 year old for 4 years...as well as Track...they both hold over an 3.0 GPA and rarely if ever get into ANY trouble (the "trouble" they have seen has been very minor)...My Son, 14 has been in Sports since he was 4 years old...2 years Baseball,2 years Soccer,1 year of Track, 1 year of Basketball and 6 years in Football and Wrestling (2x MVP in both Football and Wrestling)...he holds a 3.896 GPA and has NEVER once been in trouble...they are all good kids and enjoyable to be around~~So of course my opinion is YES Active kids are LESS LIKELY to be Trouble-Makers!

Answer 15

Not at all.

Answer 16

It would be better if they were.  Even if they're not enrolled in it, their parents could take them camping, fishing, etc.

Answer 17

No, there are plenty of kids who ARE in activities who are into drugs and drinking too.

Answer 18

it can be, because when most kids my age(im 13) dont have anything to do after school, they can get involved in those types of things cause they have nothing else to do.  

Answer 19

more like fat, lazy

Answer 20

I don't think that they are necessarily troublemakers, but they are usually not as outgoing or have self-esteem issues.  Most kids are involved in some kind of activity, whether it be athletics, academic clubs, boy scouts, or church activities.  The best thing to do is find something that the child is interested in and have him try it.  Do not force your child to do something he hates.  Just find another activity for him to get involved in.  

Answer 21

No, that's not a valid assumption. They help keep kids busy, but too busy can be a bad thing too, & kids may get high to escape so much stress.  So you can't assume one way or another.

Answer 22

Sometimes, but I'm not in activities and I'm an honors student. I probably should be in an activity but I'm not doing anything I'm not supposed to. Sometimes activities just take up to much time once you add in school and friends and sleep and stuff.

Answer 23

I wasnt.

I turned out just fine.

Never tried drugs and I dont even qualify as a light social drinker anymore.

It has more to do with the way u are raised.

I was raised to make good choices.

however, friends do have an influence. so its a little of both.

good question.

Answer 24

Nope.  Some kids that do a lot of activities become members of gangs, do drugs, drink, etc.  Just like some kids that don't do any activities are good kids.

Answer 25

That's not totally true. My friend doesn't have any activities and she doesn't do any of that stuff. But if they aren't in any activities, there's more of a chance they will do that stuff because they have nothing to do. On the flip side of that, some activities they do could encourage that stuff. Doing sports can encourage the use of steroids or other performance enhancement drugs. If they're in a rock band they could be involved with drinking. In the end, it depends on the kid and if they'd do any of that stuff regardless of whether or not the have activities to do.

Answer 26

I have to say, merely from observation, no.

I was born in 1980, 27 (nearly 28 now) and a lifelong jock, playing any sport that would allow a girl all through childhood.

Many of my friends, however, were homebodies, and they are all well-adjusted, successful people.

Just please let kids be kids, pick their own hobbies and level of involvement. Happiness comes from feeling you're in control, and where you want to be in life.

Thank you for being a parent who actually thinks about these things!

Answer 27

It is true that they are more likely to be, not necessarily that they are. To me that has more to do with parental supervision than anything!  

Answer 28

Not if you put them to work.  Children need to learn the value of work, and there's no better place to do that than at home.  Learning that is more important than any sports or music activity they could be involved in also.  It teaches them responsibility and skills they will need to be successful adults.  Have them keep the yard clean and trimmed, have them set the table, do the dishes, clean the floors, clean the bathrooms and do their own laundry.  That will definitely keep them out of trouble if they have responsibilities at home.

Answer 29

No, not necessarily.  

Answer 30

No, not always. But children who are in activities have a less likely chance of being involved in those things.