Should there be more recreational programs for the youth?Larissa John-baptiste

General Purpose: To persuade

Specific Purpose: To persuade my listeners to promote youth programs for kids.

Central Idea: Supporting youth recreational programs is essential for the growth and development of the community.

IntroductionI. Attention material

A. Open with a story about a former classmate whose death could have been avoided had there been programs for recreation and formation while young1. A story of a friend who was lost to violence and exposure to crime

2. Statistics or prevalence of crime in the US Virgin Islands

3. Recreational programs help in preventing such deaths

4. Lyrics from “the Greatest love of all”

(transition: discuss recreational programs thoroughly)

BodyI. There should be more recreational programs for the youth. Having such

programs would make a positive difference in the lives of children and society at large. A. What are recreational programs and what are it’s examples?B. What is the difference between recreational programs and educational

programsC. Both are important but far too often, recreational programs are

neglected. Although most governments provide for compulsory elementary education or even high school education, after school programs are lacking. And as such, attention should be given to recreational activities which occur mostly after school.

II. Recreation programs can make significant contributions in nine areas. They can:A. contribute to reducing juvenile delinquency

As soon as classes are dismissed, crimes by children or against children increases. Millions of children are out on the streets without constructive activities or supervision.

This is so because it makes sure that the children are engaged and supervised by a positive influence.

B. contribute to increasing positive and reducing negative behaviors Participation in recreational programs have been associated with reduced problem behaviors during adolescence and into young adulthood.

C. expose youth to less violence Due to being engaged in recreational activities, children would be less exposed to negative influences and could be developed into peace loving contributors to society. Studies show that community violence is less among the youth when they live in neighborhoods with youth serving organizations.

D. improve children’s educational performance and thus impact the quality of the future work force and the national economy

Children only spend about 8 hours of their day in school and how they spend the other hours left is crucial to their development. Research shows that recreational programs can improve young people’s success rate in school and in life.

E. help decrease health care costs related to childhood obesity Recreational programs offer opportunities for children to be more physically active.

F. help youth develop self-confidence, optimism, and initiative

II. Recreation is actually a requirement according to Article 31 of the UN Convention on the rights of the Child

The UN Convention on Children’s Rights

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations in 1989, spells out the basic human rights to which every child, everywhere, is entitled.

Conclusion

I. SummaryA. The youth are our future and their development is beneficial to societyB. That is why recreational programs are important

II. ClincherA. I really do believe that our children are our future. They are our hope.B. I urge everyone to help in forming our youth positively and to promote

recreational programs for the youth

Bibliography

http://udel.edu/~roberta/play/rights.html

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, California (FCIK). (2001). California’s after-school choice: Juvenile crime or safe learning time. California: Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from http://www.fightcrime.org/ca

Brown, W.O., Frates, S.B., Rudge, I.S., and Tradewell, R.L. (2002). The costs and benefits of after-school programs: The estimated effects of the After School Education and Safety Program Act of 2002. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/rose/publications/pdf/after_school.pdf

Osgood, E.W., Anderson, A.L., and Shaffer, J.N. (2005). Unstructured leisure in the after-school hours. (J.L. Mahoney, R.W. Larson, and J.S. Eccles (Eds.) in Organized Activities as Contexts of Development: Extracurricular Activities, After School and Community Programs. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum, 45-64.

Mahoney, J.L., Cairns, B.D., and Farmer, T.W. (2003). Promoting interpersonal competence and educational success through extracurricular activity participation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95(2), 409-418.