Article
South Florida's Immigrant Youth and Civic Engagement: Major Engagement: Minor Differences
Applied Developmental Science
(2008)
Abstract
Although most immigrants are adults, their foreign and U.S.-born children are the fastest-growing component of the U.S. population. How these children integrate into U.S. society and the ways that they civically engage will greatly determine the nature of civil society in the United States over the next few decades. Using qualitative and quantitative data, this study compares the patterns of civic engagement of immigrant and nonimmigrant youth in Miami, Florida, a region of the United States with the highest proportion of immigrants. By almost all measures, immigrant civic engagement is statistically similar to that of nonimmigrants. Because immigrants engage more in civic actions that benefit their ethnic group, they are often missed by traditional civic engagement measures. Those of immigrant extraction, for example, devote considerable activity to using their bilingual skills and helping other immigrants. Like native minorities, immigrants also become heavily engaged in politically related activities in response to discrimination.
Keywords
- Civic engagement (Education)
Disciplines
Publication Date
2008
DOI
10.1080/10888690801997036
Publisher Statement
Copyright (2008) Taylor & Francis
Citation Information
Alex Stepick, Carol Dutton Stepick and Yves P. Labissiere. "South Florida's Immigrant Youth and Civic Engagement: Major Engagement: Minor Differences" Applied Developmental Science Vol. 12 Iss. 2 (2008) p. 57 - 65 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/alex_stepick1/27/