About eight millionschool-age children are home alone after school.These are the hours when thenumber of violent crimes peaks and when youths are most likely to

experiment withalcohol,tobacco,and drugs.Many older children take care of themselves afterschool for an hour or two until a parent comes home,and research suggests that

some of thesechildren are more at risk of poor grades and risky behaviors.

Studies have beendone to find out what helps to reduce these kinds of risky behaviors amongyouths.One study of Chicagoneighborhoods showed that after-school programs

resulted in lessviolence even in poor neighborhoods.

After-schoolprograms can help to reduce crime and violence because they offer activities tochildren and youths during their out-of-school time.In addition to helpingyouths

make use ofafter-school hours,after-school programs provide teens with opportunities todevelop caring relationships with adults.Studies have found that high-quality

relationships withparents and other adults,as well as good use of time,are very important forhealthy development in youth.

After-schoolprograms can also be used for teens who hang out at friends' houses and playbasketball when a parent or other responsible adult is at home.The programs can

also be helpful forformal after-school activities,including"drop-in"programs that areprovided by organizations.

Despite the benefitsof after-school programs,there are many reasons why some parents do not usethem. Programs may be too expensive,of poor quality,or hard to join.Some

older cililciren andyoung teens may refuse to attend programs that seem like they are just childcare.F'arents may ieei uncertain about how much freedom is proper for

children and youthswho are beyond the traditional child care years.However,research supports theeffectiveness of these programs in protecting middle school and high

school youths fromrisk and harm.Which of thefollowing is a benefit of after-school programs?

A.They help to avoidcrime and violence during that time.

B.They help youthsdo things on their own during after-school hours.

C.They help teensdevelop caring relationships with classmates.

D.They help toreduce risky behaviors among youths.