The Sociocultural Environment as a Source for Growth Among 15-16 Year Old Boys

Abstract

The focus of this study is to trace the interrelations between neighborhood sociocultural factors, on the one hand and adolescents' networks, leisure preferences, and school behavior, on the other hand. The analysis model includes three indicator sets: (a) three background variables consisting of the families7 SES, a neighborhood quality factor, and a score representing the parents' involvement in the local community, (b) a group of 'process indices' mainly composed of network variables and indicators representing leisure time pursuits, and (c) two effect variables - school reports on conduct and academic achievement. The overall picture is that both the background variables and most of the network indices correlate with the outcome variables. When controlling for all other variables in the model, it appears that time spent with peers (particularly having many multiplex relations, i.e. dense and intimate friendships) and indulging in passive leisure consumption in gangs, contribute mostly to non-conforming behavior. On the other hand, network size in the context of organized leisure-time pursuits and the SES factor also appear to have significant, positive effects on school conduct and achievement in particular. Discussion of these findings is centered on the interplay between neighborhood quality factors, network processes, and leisure- time pursuits. A hypothesized model is suggested to explain this interplay.