By Rebecca Zeckzer
With many families relying on dual incomes, after-school programs have become an important part of family life. They provide children with safe environments, academic support, and enrichment opportunities while helping parents manage work schedules. However, while there are significant benefits, there are also drawbacks, especially for younger children, as participation can lead to extremely long days and reduced family time.
One of the most significant advantages of after-school programs is the wide range of enrichment opportunities they offer. Many programs go beyond supervision and offer academic, artistic, and athletic activities. For example, students can receive homework assistance, attend tutoring, or participate in activities such as art, dance, music, or sports (Wirsansky, 2021). These opportunities allow children to develop new skills, foster creativity, and build confidence. Many after-school programs now provide structured environments where students can practice collaboration, strengthen communication skills, and build lasting friendships outside of their regular classroom settings (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
Another benefit of attending an after-school program is the academic and behavioral impact. Research indicates that students who participate in after-school programs tend to have improved grades, better school attendance, and fewer behavioral issues. For example, participants in Los Angeles’ BEST program showed higher attendance rates and test scores compared to peers who did not participate (Reading Rockets, n.d.). After-school programs are particularly valuable for supporting at-risk youth because they provide mentorship, safe spaces, and access to positive role models. These structured environments reduce the likelihood of students engaging in risky behaviors, such as drug use or early sexual activity (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
After-school programs provide significant support for working families. For many parents, work schedules extend beyond the traditional school day, which makes these programs invaluable for reliable child supervision. By offering extended care, parents can work full-time without jeopardizing their employment or financial stability (Wirsansky, 2021).
While there are many benefits, there are some drawbacks that parents should carefully consider. For younger children, participation in after-school programs can result in days stretching beyond 11 hours between school and extended care. This prolonged structure can lead to fatigue, irritability, and behavioral issues because they have limited downtime (Attendly, n.d.). Unstructured play and relaxation are critical for cognitive and emotional development, and overextending children may undermine these needs. In addition, extended hours away from home can reduce valuable family bonding time. After-school drives home often provide opportunities for children to share stories about their day and for families to connect, moments that can be lost when children return home late and exhausted (Wirsansky, 2021).
Another concern involves the accessibility and quality of the program. While many programs are affordable or subsidized, costs can add up when factoring in materials, transportation, and extracurricular fees (Attendly, n.d.). Even when affordable, not all programs are created equally. Some emphasize supervision over enrichment, resulting in fewer meaningful opportunities for academic or personal growth. A systematic review by Kremer et al. (2015) found that while some programs improve social-emotional outcomes and academic performance, others lack rigorous structure or measurable results.
Finally, after-school programs may sometimes be misused as a form of “free childcare.” While many parents rely on these programs for work-related needs, others enroll their children primarily for convenience, even when home care is available. In such cases, children may miss out on critical rest and family interaction, undermining the intended benefits of participation.
Parents considering enrolling their children in an after-school program should carefully weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks. Helpful strategies include:
- Prioritizing downtime to ensure children have opportunities to rest and recharge.
- Selecting programs intentionally by choosing those that offer meaningful enrichment rather than extended supervision.
- Monitor stress levels and adjust participation if children show signs of fatigue.
After-school programs can be beneficial when there is a healthy balance between structured activities and family time.
References
Attendly. (n.d.). 7 disadvantages of after-school activities. Attendly. https://www.attendly.com/blog/afterschool-programs/student-engagement/disadvantages
Christensen, K. M. (2021). A meta-analysis of the effects of after-school programmes (Doctoral dissertation). University of Massachusetts Boston. https://scholarworks.umb.edu/doctoral_dissertations/676/
Kremer, K. P., Maynard, B. R., Polanin, J. R., Vaughn, M. G., & Sarteschi, C. M. (2015). Effects of after-school programs with at-risk youth on attendance and externalizing behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44(3), 616–636. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4597889/
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). After-school programs fact sheet. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/afterschool-and-community-programs/articles/after-school-programs-fact-sheet
Wirsansky, D. (2021, October 17). Pros and cons of after-school care. Uloop. https://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/351902/Pros-And-Cons-Of-After-School-Care
