A qualitative investigation of adolescent Ohio 4-H members' perceptions of encouragers and barriers to participation in 4-H

The purpose of the study was to explore the factors that influenced adolescent participation in 4-H. 4-H members 14 to 19 years of age from four Ohio counties, participated in a focus group interview. The major benefits of the 4-H program were: learning skills, good sportsmanship, and responsibility. Family and peers were influential in the decision to stay in or drop out. The major barrier to continuing to be a 4-H member were the other activities. Unchallenging 4-H projects were perceived as a barrier to participation. Competition, teaching younger members and parental involvement, were found to be both barrier and encourager, depending on the perception of the individual member.