Skip to main content

Civic and Political Engagement Among Ethnic Minority and Immigrant Youth

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Global Perspectives on Well-Being in Immigrant Families

Part of the book series: Advances in Immigrant Family Research ((ADIMFAMRES,volume 1))

Abstract

Immigration has been undoubtedly one of the most important phenomena of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. However, despite its significance for both the host countries and the countries of origin, the interest of psychology and, more specifically, of social psychology in immigration is relatively recent, and it has primarily focused on the social adaptation and psychological adjustment of ethnic minority and immigrant individuals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Conspiracy theories about a ruling caste of people with economical, political and intellectual control over society.

  2. 2.

    These concepts were developed by Pattie et al. (2003); “collective activism” refers to “forms of action that involve working collectively” (p. 5) such as participating in political demonstrations, meetings and participating in illegal protests. “Overall activism” refers to levels of activism across the different types of activism such as individualistic activism, contact activism and collective activism.

References

  • Azevedo, C. N., & Menezes, I. (2007). Learning politics beyond cognition: The role of experience and participation in political development. In N. Kryger & B. Ravn (Eds.), Learning beyond cognition (pp. 95–114). Copenhagen: Danish University of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, M. (2012). An integrative theory of political and civic engagement and participation. Unpublished paper, Work Package 7, The PIDOP Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, M., Eade, J., Cinnirella, M., & Garbin, D. (2006). New ethnicities among British Bangladeshi and mixed-heritage youth. Final project report to the Leverhulme Trust.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology, 46, 5–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J., Phinney, J., Sam, D., & Vedder, P. (2006). Immigrant youth in cultural transition: Acculturation, identity and adaptation across national contexts. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogard, K. L., & Sherrod, L. R. (2008). Citizenship attitudes and allegiances in diverse youth. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14, 286–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourhis, R. Y., Moïse, L. C., Perreault, S., & Senecal, S. (1997). Towards an interactive acculturation model: A social psychological approach. International Journal of Psychology, 32, 369–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Citrin, J. (1974). Comment: The political relevance of trust in government. American Political Science Review, 68, 973–988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Citrin, J., & Green, D. P. (1986). Presidential leadership and the resurgence of trust in government. British Journal of Political Science, 16, 431–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Citrin, J., & Muste, C. (1999). Trust in government. In J. P. Robinson, P. R. Shaver, & L. S. Wrightsman (Eds.), Measures of political attitudes (pp. 465–532). San Diego: CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig, S. C., Niemi, R. G., & Silver, G. E. (1990). Political efficacy and trust: A report on the NES pilot study items. Political Behavior, 12, 289–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cross, W. E. (1991). Shades of black: Diversity in African American identity. Philadelphia PA: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das Gupta, M. (1997). What is Indian about you? A gendered, transnational approach to ethnicity. Gender & Society, 11, 572–596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, M. (1994). Behind the mule race and class in African American politics. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deaux, K. (2000). Surveying the landscape of immigration: Social psychological perspectives. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 10, 421–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delli Carpini, M. X., & Keeter, S. (1996). What Americans know about politics and why it matters. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dion, K. K., & Dion, K. L. (2001). Gender and cultural adaptation in immigrant families. Journal of Social Issues, 57, 511–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Easton, D. (1975). A re-assessment of the concept of political support. British Journal of Political Science, 5, 435–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fanning, B., & O’Boyle, N. (2010). Immigrants in Irish politics: African and East European candidates in the 2009 local government elections. Irish Political Studies, 25, 417–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, L., Pasek, J., Romer, D., & Jamieson, K. H. (2007). Identifying best practices in civic education: Lessons from the Student Voices program. American Journal of Education, 114, 75–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fennema, M., & Tillie, J. (1999). Political participation and political trust in Amsterdam. Civic communities and ethnic networks. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 25, 703–726.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fennema, M., & Tillie, J. (2001). Civic community, political participation and political trust of ethnic groups. Connections, 24, 26–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fife-Schaw, C., & Breakwell, G. M. (1990). Predicting the intention not to vote in late teenage: A UK study of 17- and 18-year-olds. Political Psychology, 11, 739–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flanagan, C. A., Bowes, J. M., Jonsson, B., Csapo, B., & Sheblanova, E. (1998). Ties that bind: Correlates of adolescents’ civic commitments in seven countries. Journal of Social Issues, 54, 457–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flanagan, C., Cumsille, P., Gill, S., & Gallay, L. (2007). School and community climates and civic commitments: Patterns for ethnic minority and majority students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 99, 421–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gamson, W. A. (1968). Power and discontent. Homewood, Il: The Dorsey Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geddes, A. (1998). Race related political participation and representation in the UK. Revue Européene des Migrations Internationales, 14, 33–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghuman, P. A. S. (1999). Asian adolescents in the west. Leicester: BPS Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gniewosz, B., Noack, P., & Buhl, M. (2009). Political alienation in adolescence: Associations with parental role models, parenting styles and classroom climate. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 3, 337–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, F. C. (1999). Will the circle be unbroken? The erosion and transformation of African-American civic life. In R. Fullinwider (Ed.), Civil society, democracy and civic renewal (pp. 317–338). New York: Roman and Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D., & Tillie, J. (Eds.) (2004). Introduction: Social capital and political integration of migrants. Special issue of Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 30,30, 419–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamal, A. (2005). The political participation and engagement of Muslim Americans: Mosque involvement and group consciousness. American Politics Research, 33, 521–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, M. K. (2002). Generation units and the student protest movement in the United States: An intra- and intergenerational analysis. Political Psychology, 23, 303–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, L. A., & Flanagan, C. A. (2008). Immigrant civic engagement: New translations. Applied Developmental Science, 12, 55–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, L. A. (2010). Immigrant youth in the United States: Coming of age among diverse civic cultures. In L. R. Sherrod, J. Torney-Purta, & C. A. Flanagan (Eds.), Handbook of research on civic engagement in youth (pp. 425–443). New York: Wiley.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Junn, J., & Masuoka, N. (2008). Identities in context: Politicized racial group consciousness among Asian American and Latino youth. Applied Developmental Science, 12, 93–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, C. (2009). In preparation for adulthood: Exploring civic participation and social trust among youth minorities. Youth and Society, 40, 526–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klandermans, B. (2002). How group identity helps to overcome the dilemma of collective action. American Behavioral Scientist, 45, 887–900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, M. H., Kirby, E. H., & Sagoff, J. (2004). The youth vote 2004. College Park: Circle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, M. H., & Marcelo, K. B. (2008). The civic engagement of immigrant youth: New evidence from the 2006 civic and political health of the nation survey. Applied Developmental Science, 12, 66–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maira, S. M. (2002). Desis in the house: Indian American youth culture in New York City. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, C., & Page, B. (2010). African home associations in Britain: Between political belonging and moral conviviality. African Diaspora, 3, 110–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Messina, A. (1998). Ethnic minorities and the British party system in the 1990s and beyond. In S. Saggar (Ed.), Race and British electoral politics (pp. 47–69). London: UCL Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishler, W., & Rose, R. (1997). Trust, distrust and skepticism: Popular evaluations of civil and political institutions in post-communist societies. The Journal of Politics, 59, 418–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nie, N. H., Junn, J., & Stehlik-Barry, K. (1996). Education and democratic citizenship in America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Toole, T., Marsh, D., & Jones, S. (2003). Political literacy cuts both ways: The politics of non-participation among young people. The Political Quarterly, 74, 349–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pachi, D., & Barrett, M. (2011a). British Bangladeshi young people and the British political system; perceptions of belongingness and access in comparison to English young people. Paper presented at the 7th Annual Conference of the Centre for Research on Nationalism, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism. University of Surrey. Guildford, United Kingdom: 28th–29th June 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pachi, D., & Barrett, M. (2011b). Focus groups with young British Bangladeshi, Congolese and English people living in London. Unpublished paper, Work Package 6, The PIDOP Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pachi, D., & Barrett, M. (2011c). Sources of influence on young British Bangladeshi, Congolese and English people living in London. Unpublished paper, Work Package 6, The PIDOP Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pachi, D., & Barrett, M. (2011d). British Bangladeshi and Congolese young people in London: Do their experiences of political participation differ and why? Paper presented at the 1st PIDOP Conference on “Engaged Citizens? Political Participation and Civic Engagement among Youth, Women, Minorities and Migrants”. University of Bologna, Bologna. Italy: 11th–12th May 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pachi, D., & Barrett, M. (2012a). Survey of young British Bangladeshi, Congolese and English people living in London. Unpublished paper, Work Package 6, The PIDOP Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pachi, D., & Barrett, M. (2012b). Perceived effectiveness of conventional, non-conventional and civic forms of participation among minority and majority youth. Human Affairs, 22, 345–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pasek, J., Feldman, L., Romer, D., & Jamieson, K. H. (2008). Schools as incubators of democratic participation: Building long-term political efficacy with civic education. Applied Developmental Science, 12, 26–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passini, S. (2012). The facebook and twitter revolutions: Active participation in the 21st century. Human Affairs, 22, 301–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pattie, C., Seyd, P., & Whiteley, P. (2003). Citizenship and civic engagement: Attitudes and behaviour in Britain. Political Studies, 51, 443–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phelps, E. (2005). Young voters at the 2005 British general election. The Political Quarterly, 76, 482–487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phinney, J. S. (1989). Stages of ethnic identity development in minority group adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 9, 34–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phinney, J. S. (1990). Ethnic identity in adolescents and adults: Review of research. Psychological Bulletin, 108, 499–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PIDOP (2012). Processes influencing democratic ownership and participation: Policy recommendations of the PIDOP research project. http://www.fahs.surrey.ac.uk/pidop/documents/PIDOP%20Policy%20Recommendations.pdf

  • Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishnan, S. K., & Baldassare, M. (2004). The ties that bind: Changing demographics and civic engagement in California. San Francisco: Public Policy Institute of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, T. (2003). Black to the community: An analysis of ‘black’ community parenting in Britain. Community, Work and Family, 6, 29–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saggar, S. (1998). Race and British electoral politics. London: UCL Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schrover, M., & Vermeulen, F. (2005). Immigrant organisations. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 31, 823–832.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, W. (2005). Political efficacy and expected political participation among lower and upper secondary students: A comparative analysis with data from the IEA Civic Education Study. Paper presented at the ECPR General Conference, Budapest, Hungary.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, W., Ainley, J., Fraillon, J., Kerr, D., & Losito, B. (2010). Initial findings from the IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study. Amsterdam: IEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seif, H. (2010). The civic life of Latina/o immigrant youth: Challenging boundaries and creating safe spaces. In L. R. Sherrod, J. Torney-Purta, & C. A. Flanagan (Eds.), Handbook of research on civic engagement in youth (pp. 445–470). Hoboken: Wiley.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Seif, H. (2004). “Wise Up!” Undocumented Latino youth, Mexican-American legislators, and the struggle for higher education access. Latino Studies, 2, 210–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Semetko, H. A., & Valkenburg, P. M. (1998). The impact of attentiveness on political efficacy: Evidence from a three-year German panel study. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 10, 195–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shingles, R. D. (1981). Black consciousness and political participation: The missing link. American Political Science Review, 75, 76–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, B., & Grabow, O. (2010). The politicization of migrants: Further evidence that politicized collective identity is a dual identity. Political Psychology, 31, 717–738.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, B., & Ruhs, D. (2008). Identity and politicization among Turkish migrants in Germany: The role of dual identification. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 1354–1366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stepick, A., & Stepick, C. D. (2002). Becoming American, constructing ethnicity: Immigrant youth and civic engagement. Applied Developmental Science, 6, 246–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stepick, A., Stepick, C. D., & Labissiere, Y. (2008). South Florida’s immigrant youth and civic engagement: Major engagement: Minor differences. Applied Developmental Science, 12, 57–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stockard, J., & Johnson, M. M. (1992). Sex and gender in society (2nd ed.). NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel, H. (1978). Differentiation between social groups. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torney-Purta, J., Lehmann, R., Oswald, H., & Schulz, W. (2001). Citizenship and education in twenty-eight countries: Civic knowledge and engagement at age fourteen. Amsterdam: IEA

    Google Scholar 

  • Torney-Purta, J., Barber, C., & Richardson, W. K. (2004). Trust in government related institutions and political engagement among adolescents in six countries. Acta Politica, 2, 380–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uhlaner, C. J., Cain, B. E., & Kiewiet, D. R. (1989). Political participation of ethnic minorities in the 1980s. Political Behavior, 11, 195–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Heelsum, A. (2002). The relationship between political participation and civic community of migrations in the Netherlands. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 3, 179–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Zomeren, M., Postmes, T., & Spears, R. (2008). Toward an integrative social identity model of collective action: A quantitative research synthesis of three socio-psychological perspectives. Psychological Bulletin, 134, 504–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Zomeren, M., Spears, R., Fischer, A., & Leach, C. W. (2004). Put your money where your mouth is! Explaining collective action tendencies through group-based anger and group efficacy. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 649–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weatherford, M. S. (1987). How does government performance influence political support. Political Behavior, 9, 5–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C.-L. (2003). Psycho-political correlates of political efficacy: The case of the 1194 New Orleans mayoral election. Journal of Black Studies, 33, 729–760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zukin, C., Keeter, S., Andolina, M., Jenkins, K., & Delli Carpini, M. X. (2006). A new engagement? Political participation, civic life, and the changing American citizen. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dimitra Pachi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pachi, D., Barrett, M. (2014). Civic and Political Engagement Among Ethnic Minority and Immigrant Youth. In: Dimitrova, R., Bender, M., van de Vijver, F. (eds) Global Perspectives on Well-Being in Immigrant Families. Advances in Immigrant Family Research, vol 1. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9129-3_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics