Abstract
As communities become increasingly diverse, it is important to consider how cultural navigation interacts with adolescent development. We examined immigrant parenting values and practices to promote healthy development when developing Padres Informados/Jóvenes Preparados (Padres). Three focus groups were conducted with Latino immigrant parents (n = 27). Parents strove to foster a strong Latino identity to protect their children from detrimental preconceived notions about Latinos in the broader American culture. They conveyed a Latino identity by speaking Spanish and teaching the values of respect and familism. Parents expressed tremendous stress in parenting while navigating difficult policies, socioeconomic conditions, and unfamiliar systems. They actively sought practices to protect their children. Parents also held misconceptions about cultural influences and normative development. These findings provided cultural grounding for Padres, which demonstrated success in improving youth–parent relationships. Family-focused programs serving Latino youth need to consider strengthening cultural identity to improve youth–parent relationships and promote optimal development.
Highlights
IntroductionYouth from Latino families are the fastest growing subgroup of youth in the United States (Flores, 2017)
Assessing Multicultural Parenting ValuesYouth from Latino families are the fastest growing subgroup of youth in the United States (Flores, 2017)
Across the three focus groups, four key themes related to transnational parenting emerged:
Summary
Youth from Latino families are the fastest growing subgroup of youth in the United States (Flores, 2017). By 2025, one in every four youth in the United States will be Latino (Fry & Passel, 2009; United Nations, 2013). Longitudinal research on adolescent health suggests parents have a larger impact on adolescent behaviors than previously thought (Resnick et al, 1997). Youth in middle school shift their interactions from parents to peers, and while studies have found that peers do influence negative behaviors, it is the youth–parent interaction that is the primary reason “not to use” drugs and other substances (Johnston, O'Malley, & Bachman, 2001). Literature suggests that many precursors to serious adolescent problems can be reduced or eliminated through intervention to improve parenting and family systems dynamics in adolescence (Kumpfer & Alvarado, 2003)
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