Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate your vehicle during the month of April or May and you'll be entered into a $500 Visa gift card drawing!
0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8e3b0000Stories and conversations about disparities in play and access to recreation in early childhood in N.H. Part of the NHPR News series The First Decade.View the entire series, or find stories by topic:Main Series PageHome & FamilyHealth & NutritionEducationPlayPolitics & Policy

The Enrichment Gap: How Income Affects Kids' Participation In Activities

Clappstarr via Flickr CC

Research shows that participation in organized activities, like sports or music lessons, plays a big role in closing the opportunity gap in school, and in life. 

But with the rise of "pay to play" sports in school, and the virtual disappearance of affordable neighborhood piano lessons, there's an increasing gap in the ability of kids from poor families to participate in organized enrichment.

So, how does New Hampshire's gap look?

According to the Carsey School of Public Policy report on gaps in youth opportunity, kids in New Hampshire have a much greater chance of participating in activities when they come from families at 200% of the poverty or greater. Take a look at the chart to see what the gap looks like in the Granite State:

How does New Hampshire stack up compared to other states? Click through the map to see how the state ranks compared to our neighbors:


Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.