A Review of Latino Youth Development Research and a Call for an Asset Orientation

Abstract

A focus on youth development is the strongest means of prevention of problems faced by Latino youths. Latino youths are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and have high rates of developmental deficits. However, youth development researchers have not attended to the inclusion and reporting of results for Latino youths. This study presents a challenge to youth development researchers, service providers, and policy makers to adopt a youth development orientation in their work. A comprehensive review of six youth development journals and two Latino-focused journals allowed for the evaluation of the inclusion of Latino youths. Of 1,010 empirical articles, 30% included Latino youths, 6% reported results for Latino youths, and less than3% focused on Latino youths. The researchers reporting results for Latino youths were largely unguided by specific theoretical frameworks and heavily deficit oriented. A framework to increase attention to Latino youths in developmental research is suggested.