Exploring African American High School Age Males’ Perceptions of Agricultural-related Youth Programs in Urban Settings
Open Access
- Author:
- Smith, Maurice Devoe
- Graduate Program:
- Agricultural and Extension Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- September 25, 2017
- Committee Members:
- Nicole Sheree Webster, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Nicole Sheree Webster, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Mark A Brennan Jr., Committee Member
Connie Devine Baggett, Committee Member
Jonte Charez Taylor, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Agricultural-related
4-H Youth Development
perceptions
ethnic identity
community involvement - Abstract:
- Agricultural-related youth programs (i.e., 4-H, FFA) are designed to allow young people to reach their fullest potential and to develop skills and knowledge to make the best better in their lives. However, involvement in these agricultural youth programs by African American males has been limited in recent years. Little information exists regarding the effectiveness and perceptions of agricultural-related programs among urban youth. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the perception of ethnic identity development, community involvement, and experiences among African American high school males (ages 13-18) in urban areas in Pennsylvania and how these factors influence their participation in agricultural-related youth programs. Two public urban high schools and one urban charter school with agricultural- related programs were selected to participate in this study. A sample of 300 African American high school age (13-18) male participants was selected for the survey, and a random sample of approximately 20 participants was selected for the focus groups. The goals of the mixed method study were to (a) determine how young Black males who participate in agricultural-related youth programs and non-involved Black males’ self-identify was measured; (b) identify how young Black males involved in agricultural-related programs and non-involved Black males perceive community involvement; and (c) explore the experiences of involved young agricultural-related Black males differ from non-involved Black males within similar urban communities. Data were collected using the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM-R) revised instrument, questions through a community involvement questionnaire, and focus groups. The findings indicated that African American young males find agricultural- related youth programs beneficial, but not tailored for minority audiences. Volunteer and adult mentoring played a major role in youth participation in programs offered. Based on these results, the researcher concluded that these males felt gaining access to agricultural- related youth programs were a barrier to participation due to other internal and sometimes external problematic issues that contribute to a lack of involvement in agricultural-related youth programs.