NCJ Number
158636
Date Published
1994
Length
39 pages
Annotation
The authors suggest critical relationships between culture, structural inequities, and developmental mandates on the one hand and violence among ethnic minority youth on the other; these relationships are examined as they pertain to risk factors and also as they interact with ethnic-cultural protective mechanisms that may serve as buffers against violence.
Abstract
Because of their disproportionate experiences with violence, the focus is on four major ethnic groups (African, Hispanic, Native, and Asian Americans). Consideration is paid to violence and culture, particularly the way in which psychological research has explored violence and culture factors among ethnic groups. In addition, the way in which violence is part of the larger American culture and the influence of social forces on violence are examined. The discussion then turns to structural inequities, such as racism, discrimination, pvoerty, inequality, and the status mobility system as risk factors for violence. Developmental mandates of youth and how risk factors for violence may interact with such mandates are addressed, with specific attention paid to proactive socialization and bicultural competence as ways of reducing violence. Finally, traditional values of the four ethnic groups that can potentially serve as protective mechanisms against youth violence are discussed. Specific recommendations for future research, prevention, and treatment targeting violent minority youth are offered. 169 references