IT'S IN MY HOOD: UNDERSTANDING AFRICAN AMERICAN BOYS’ PERCEPTION OF SAFETY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS

Abstract

Youths' perceptions of their neighborhood are shaped by continued exposure to neighborhood influences. African‐American boys in poor, urban contexts are more directly affected by their neighborhoods and are more likely to develop related difficulties such as victimization experiences, and exposure to violence. This study examines African‐American boys' perceptions of safety in their neighborhood. Data were collected in 1994 from 553 African‐American males at the baseline of an intervention study ‐ the Aban Aya Youth Project (AAYP) ‐ among inner city youth in 12 schools from poor, metropolitan Chicago neighborhoods. We found a significant influence for the interaction between collective efficacy and violent experiences on perception of neighborhood safety. The findings highlight how both neighborhood strengths and risks interact to influence the functioning of African‐American boys in disadvantaged communities. More importantly the study demonstrates how neighborhood support or neighborhood collective efficacy can be especially protective to African‐American boys in high‐risk urban settings.