The Political Socialization of Adolescent Children of Immigrants

Citation

Humphries, M.; Muller, C.; & Schiller, K. S. (2013). The Political Socialization of Adolescent Children of Immigrants. Social science quarterly. vol. 94 (5) pp. 1261-1282 , PMCID: PMC3904436

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the adolescent political socialization processes that predict political participation in young adulthood, and whether these processes are different for children of immigrants compared to white 3rd-plus generation adolescents. We focus on socialization agents based in the family, community and school. METHODS: We use a nationally representative longitudinal survey of adolescents to evaluate the predictors of three measures of political participation: Voter registration, voting, and political party identification, and whether the process leading to political participation varies by immigrant status and race/ethnic group. RESULTS: We find that the parental education level of adolescents is not as predictive for many minority children of immigrants compared to white children of native-born parents for registration. Additionally, the academic rigor of the courses taken in high school has a greater positive estimated effect on the likelihood of registration and party identification for Latino children of immigrants compared to white 3rd-plus generation young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The process of general integration into U.S. society for adolescent children of immigrants may lead to differing pathways to political participation in young adulthood, with certain aspects of their schooling experience having particular importance in developing political participation behaviors.

URL

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24489413

Notes

Humphries, Melissa

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Social science quarterly

Author(s)

Humphries, M.
Muller, C.
Schiller, K. S.

Year Published

2013

Volume Number

94

Issue Number

5

Pages

1261-1282

Edition

2014/02/04

DOI

10.1111/ssqu.12025

PMCID

PMC3904436

NIHMSID

Nihms458401

Reference ID

4880