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Information on Race/Gender from the MN 4-H Youth Survey

• Involvement history: Youth of color enroll in 4-H at a later age than white youth, have been involved for fewer years, and have lower family participation histories.  These differences are statistically significant.
  
  
• Current enrollment status: Chi Square tests were run on segments of the sample to detect differences among groups.
  
  
  1. When asked if they were currently enrolled in 4-H, youth of color were more likely than expected to report that they are not enrolled in 4-H.  The rate of non-enrollment was higher for youth of color than for white youth—26% versus 10%.
     
     
  2. Youth of color are proportionately over represented as non-club members compared to white youth (near significance, p. <.083, X2 = 2.99, 1 df).  This is consistent with results based on the 4-HPlus enrollment data.
     
     
  3. There was no significant difference in youth of color and white youth who are non-club members in terms of being currently enrolled or not.
     
     
  4. There was a statistically significant difference in enrollment status for youth of color who are involved as club members.  Youth of color were proportionately more likely to no longer be enrolled as compared to white youth. (p. < .003, X2 = 8.8, 1 df)

• Accessibility to 4-H programs:

Timing & Location: Survey respondents replied favorably to questions about the timing and location of activities in terms of whether or not they could get to the activities.  There were no significant differences between sexes or between white youth and youth of color.  Means for all groups ranged between 2.66 and 2.96 on a scale from 1 to 4 (1 = never, 2 = sometimes,3 = mostly, 4 = always) for the following questions:

• Activities happen when I can participate.
• Activities happen at places I can get to.

• Relationships with Adult Leaders: Youth were asked to rate their level of disagreement or agreement with four statements related to their relationships with 4-H leaders (scale of 1-4, 1 = strongly disagree to 4 = strongly agree).  On three of the four statements there were no significant differences in mean responses by ethnicity (youth of color versus white youth).  Youth of color were in slightly more disagreement than white youth regarding whether “adult leaders do what they say they are going to do.”  This difference was statistically significant.  There were no gender differences noted on these items.
  
  
• Relationships with other Youth:  There were no significant differences for gender (one exception) or race on three selected items related to relationships with other youth in 4-H.  Note one gender difference on “We have fun together”; females agreed more strongly than males.
  
  
  • Group members treat me like a friend.
  • I built new friendships.
  • We have fun together.
     
• 4-H Outreach:  Youth were asked to rate their level of agreement with statements about 4-H expansion to include more youth in general and, specifically, those typically underrepresented groups (non-white ethnic backgrounds, youth in major cities).  There was no statistically significant difference by gender for these items.  However, Youth of Color agreed more strongly than White youth to the following item: “4-H should actively seek out ways to reach more youth from different cultures, religions and races.” This difference was statistically significant.
  
  
• Opinions about 4-H:  We asked a number of questions about 4-H regarding competitiveness, orientation to rural kids, and openness to new people.  Several items were analyzed for this report:  Openness to youth of all abilities; openness to youth of other cultures and non-white ethnicities; and pressure to be successful.  For ethnicity, there was no significant difference in level of agreement between youth of color and white youth.  However, by gender, females were significantly stronger in their level of agreement or disagreement with the statements.
  
  
  • 4-H is open to youth of all kinds of abilites (females agree more strongly)
  • 4-H is not very open to youth from different cultures or non-white ethnicity females disagree more strongly)
  • There is too much pressure to be successful (females disagree more strongly)
    
    
• 4-H experiences promoted by 8 Keys: The survey asked youth about their experiences and activities in 4-H.  These activities and experiences are tied to the 8 Keys of Youth Development, which is the program model used by 4-H.  There were no significant differences in the degree to which youth experience these activities depending on ethnicity. Statistically significant gender differences were found in how youth experience opportunities in 4-H that promote the 8 Keys to Youth Development.  On four of the eight keys, scores were significantly higher for females than for males.  Those keys are listed below.  Each key is composed of a number of items that were originally scored on a scale of 1 to 4 (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree).  Those items were added to get the summary scale used in the analysis.
  
  
  • Belonging & Ownership
  • Meaningful Contribution
  • Quality Relationships
  • Capacity to Enjoy Life
    
    
• Belonging & Having Fun: Gender differences were also found with females scoring themselves higher on the statements, “I feel like I belong” and “ We have fun together.”  These differences were significant at p value < .02.