NCJ Number
147212
Date Published
1986
Length
104 pages
Annotation
This dissertation examined cultural lifestyles among Mexican-American cholo/chola and non-cholo/chola adolescents, studied the influence of the cholo subculture on non- cholos/cholas, and tested the degree to which subjects identified with cultural transmutation.
Abstract
An acculturation scale was developed to test cultural lifestyles by distinguishing between the degree of dominant, native, and incorporated cultural practices. Cultural transmutation was evaluated using a scale which consisted of items that characterized this subculture. Gang identification was measured through gang participation and involvement. Fifty male and 50 female Mexican-American adolescents completed the questionnaire and were subdivided according to their cholo/chola or non-cholo/chola affiliation. The results showed that Mexican-American cholos/cholas are a culturally diverse subgroup when compared to non-cholos/cholas. Other findings: cultural transmutation does influence adolescents not involved in the subculture, there is a relationship between cultural transmutation characteristics and gang identification, and gender and cholo/chola identification are related to cultural transmutation identification. 1 table, 62 references, and 6 appendixes