Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1972

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr

Committee Members

Robert S. Dotson, Horace C. Smith Jr

Abstract

This study was concerned with the problem of decreasing 4-H members at the seventh, eighth and ninth grade or junior high level. Data were collected from all seventh, eighth, and ninth grade boys and girls in Bledsoe County, Tennessee who were present on the day the inter-views were conducted in each school. A total of 289 interview schedules were used in the analysis. For the purposes of analysis, data from the 289 boys and girls were classified into two groups according to the level of participation in 14 selected 4-H events and activities while they were 4-H members. There were 173 high participators and 116 low partici-pators. The purpose was to determine the relationship between level of participation and personal characteristics, leisure time activities, attitudes and family characteristics. Sixty—nine independent variables were identified and used as a basis for comparing low and high partici-pators (dependent variable). Statistical tests used in the analysis of data were chi square and zero order correlation coefficient. The chi square test was used with qualitative variables and the zero order correlation statistic (r) was used with quantitative variables. The .05 level was accepted as being statistically significant. Computations were done by the University of Tennessee computing center. Major findings of the study were: 1. Level of participation was significantly related to entering or participating in speaking, demonstrations, out-of-county trips, exhibiting at fair, attending 4-H camp, achievement day, local 4-H officer, receipe contest, and bread baking. Participation level was higher among those who entered these events and activities. 2. Level of participation was very significantly related to sex of respondents. Girls had higher participation than boys. 3. Level of participation was significantly related to the number of youth clubs other than 4-H in which active membership was held. Participation was higher among those who were active in several clubs. 4. A significant relationship existed between level of 4-H participation and membership status. Those with high levels of participation were more likely to remain members rather than drop out. 5. Level of participation was significantly related to the number of years the respondents had been members. Participation increased with years of membership. 6. Level of participation was inversely related to age when first joined 4-H. Participation was greater among boys and girls who joined 4-H at an earlier age. 7. Level of participation was inversely related to school grade level when they first joined 4-H. The high participants tended to join 4-H at a lower school grade. 8. Level of participation was related to the age at which they dropped out of 4-H. Low participants dropped out at a younger age. 9. Level of participation was significantly related to school grades received. High participants made better grades than low participants. 10. Level of participation was significantly related to plans to attend college. A higher participation level was achieved by boys and girls having definite plans to attend college« 11. Level of participation was related to attendance at church activities. A higher participation level was achieved by the 4-H'ers who attended church activities more frequently. 12. Level of participation was significantly related to 4-H'ers who received visits by Extension Agents. Participation was higher among boys and girls who received visits by agents, 13. Level of participation was significantly related to hours spent listening to t^dio. A higher level of participation was achieved by boys and girls who spent the most time listening to radio. 14. Level of participation was significantly related to the number of tasks 4-H'ers already knew how to do. A higher level of participation was achieved by boys and girls who knew how to do eleven or more tasks, 15. Participation level was significantly related to the desire for competition by boys and girls. Participation level was higher among those who liked to compete. 16. Participation level was significantly related to emphasis desired in public speaking, out-of-county trips, giving ribbons, and publicity of awards. High participants wanted more emphasis in these areas. 17. Participation level was significantly related to mothers working outside the home. Participation was greater among boys and girls whose mothers worked outside the home. 18. Participation level was significantly related to the father's education. Participation was greater among boys and girls whose fathers had completed more years of school. 19. Participation level was significantly related to the level of education of mothers. Participation was higher among boys and girls whose mothers had completed more years of school. 20. Participation level was significantly related to place of residence. Boys and girls with high levels of participation were more likely to be nonfarm residents. The following variables were not significantly related to partici-pation level: age, grade in school, interest score, feelings about spare time, spare time activities, time spent watching television, frequency of dating, their opinions of others toward 4-H, father's work, distance lived from Pikeville, miles to school, number of cars or number of drivers in their family. Implications and recommendations also were made.

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