Stranger danger fears keep inner-city kids home

Fear of dangerous strangers in inner-city neighbourhoods is keeping kids and teens from using playgrounds and parks to be physically active.

Researchers in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, led by Nick Holt, looked at perceived opportunities and barriers to physical activity in an inner-city neighbourhood in Edmonton. They interviewed 59 children and youth, eight school staff and 13 youth workers in adult-supervised physical activity programs about their experiences.

Study data revealed three themes that influenced youngsters' opportunities for physical activity, with positive and negative factors for each.

The first theme identified was "neighbourhood characteristics". On the plus side researchers found neighbourhoods "walkable", with plenty of parks and playgrounds and nearby amenities. However, "stranger danger" fears related to drug users, bullies, prostitutes, gang members and fear of abduction deterred children and youth from visiting these places.

The second theme was "family involvement". Researchers found that while children and youth were rarely allowed out alone, involvement by a family member, for example, accompanying them to a park to play, increased their engagement in physical activity.

The third theme was the "availability of adult-supervised programs". On the positive side, researchers noted the large variety of programs offered by dedicated, hard-working staff and volunteers. Negative factors included minimal resources; staff and volunteer recruitment and retention challenges, and little knowledge of program availability by inner-city children and youth; low adherence to the programs was also a negative factor.

Inner-city neighbourhoods in other metropolitan areas in Canada bear similar characteristics to the one studied and findings can be broadly used to tackle physical activity barriers for inner-city children and youth.

The study will appear in December 2009 issue of the international journal Health and Place.

(Source: University of Alberta: Health and Place: October 2009)

Article Date: 9/10/2009

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Article Comments

Comment from: brian burgess | 9/10/2009 12:51:47 PM
surely kids are closeted enough, without being"mothballed" I believe education of the children,by parents is pooly administered

Comment from: Sam Giandzi | 9/10/2009 1:56:28 PM
I think not enough parents take the time to exercise with their kids, taking them to the park or beach, if they did this country would not have so many overweight children. I'm a father and I take my child to the park as often as possible, but I never see many other parents doing the same thing and I know there are heaps of children living in the area. Sad really :(

Comment from: vanessa | 10/10/2009 10:50:45 AM
Perhaps if the justice system gave the maximum sentences to offenders, then perhaps families can start relaxing a little and allow their children to play safely in surrounding parks, etc. I allow my children to play where i can keep an eye on them and until i can feel safe in allowing them to play without my presence, i will continue to do so.

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