CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND\

Introduction

Extracurricular activities are the activities where the students participate outside the

regular class. This may include sports team, school clubs, and academic contest.

Commonly, Junior High School students who participate in extracurricular activities

benefit from the opportunities given to them. The participants may improve their skills and

talents by joining extracurricular activities.

According to Crimson Education (2018), some of the advantages of joining

extracurricular activities are first, to improve their activities. Because participating in

activities that are passionate about can increase their brain function, help concentrate and

manage their time better, all of which contribute to higher grades. Second, is to explore

interest and create broader prospective. Because, when they participate in different

activities, they will get the opportunity to explore interest and create broader prospective.

Because when they participate in different activities in different activities, they will get the

opportunity to explore a range of interest and unlock their passion they never know they

had. Third, it gives them higher self-esteem because the more they achieve success through

activities they are passionate about, the more they gain self confidence which is an essential

life skill. On top of all the benefits of extracurricular activities already mentioned, one of

the greatest advantage of extracurricular activities is that it give them all the real world

skills. These skills include goal setting, teamwork, time management, setting priorities,

problem-solving, analytical thinking and leadership.

 If there are advantages there will also be disadvantages in joining extracurricular

activities. This includes early pressure, because making children join in extracurricular

activities too early can drain them. Scholastic states parents should not think that an early

start in anything will lead to a career because most children do not grow up to be

professional musicians or athletes. Extracurricular activities can teach children discipline,

teamwork and other life skills but early involvement might be overwhelming for young

students. This advantage can grow into resentment as well. Pushing a child into tons of

tennis lessons or dance classes in order to give his/her a head start win most likely lead to

his/her resenting both and the activity. Later, older children might feel they gave up a part

their childhood. Children would want to quit that certain sport or activity, but are scared of

disappointing their parents. Parents and Children should communicate so that young

children do not face unneeded early pressures. Students can become frustrated if they are

overworked with school, friends, family and extracurricular activities. Older students

sometimes juggle jobs as well. Students need time to study, relax with peers and join family

time. Everytime students struggle to find a balance in life, parents should look at their

extracurricular involvement. Student might also be frustrated that they do not have time to

grow their talents. If children put too much focus on a few, specific activities, they might

not develop into becoming well-rounded people. To avoid this advantage, scholastic

suggests of giving the child other options and encourages other interest, so he/she does not

feel an overwhelming pressure to support succeed at just one thing and another

disadvantage of extracurricular activities is physical stress, children might not always know

how to articulate their physical problems, but scholastic suggests looking for common

ailments.
 According to Gardner, et.al. (2018), theory and research an positive youth

development emphasizes the transition of human development, and suggest that cultivating

positive, supportive relationships with people and social institutions encourages healthy

development. Considering this perspective, the extracurricular activities help the students

in developing good relationships with other people.