Leveraging the Power of the Ethnic Enclave: Residential Instability and Violence in Latino Communities

• NCJ Number: 230542
• Journal: Sociological Spectrum Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2010 Pages: 249-269
• Author(s): Edward S. Shihadeh; Raymond E. Barranco
• Date Published: June 2010
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the question of why immigrant and minority communities have high rates of crime.

Abstract

Early Chicago school thinkers linked crime to the disorganizing influx of Eastern European immigrants and Black migrants from the South. Extending this to contemporary concerns, this study used Census and Vital Statistics data to examine whether migration to ethnic enclaves among Latinos and Blacks raises violence. It appears that when Latinos settle in their ethnic enclaves, violence in their communities declines. Contrary to Chicago school assertions, this improves economic conditions and strengthens group ties as the community mobilizes to receive newcomers. In contrast, such migration does not dampen violence in Black communities. The study discusses the implications of this for ecological theorizing. Tables and references (Published Abstract)