Fostering Resiliency in Underserved Youth Through Physical Activity

Social and psychological factors that help poor youngsters defy the risks associated with being poor are described and ways in which resiliency can be fostered through school and community programs are suggested.

Abstract

Millions of children and youth in our country live in poverty. And yet despite the overwhelming adversity associated with poverty, many of these youngsters are able to bounce back. The purpose of this article is to describe social and psychological factors that help them defy the risks associated with being poor. We suggest ways in which resiliency can be fostered through school and community programs. Included in this are ways in which physical activity serves as an effective medium for promoting growth and renewed optimism. Guidelines for delivering physical activity programs for increasing resiliency are proposed. In these guidelines are personal requirements necessary for successfully working with underserved children and youth.