Sociocultural Influences on the Explanation of Delinquency for Puerto Rican Youths

Abstract

The present study examines the contributions of sociocultural context to delinquency theory to explain drug use and nondrug delinquency among Puerto Rican male adolescents in New York City. By integrating variables (familism and acculturation) that reflect the unique sociocultural processes in Puerto Rican communities with measures of social control and social learning theories, the direct effects of these socialization processes are analyzed to determine factors that contribute to delinquency or its avoidance. The results suggest that the specific cultural context of ethnic groups may be necessary to explain participation in delinquent behavior. Familism, a measure of individuals' expressed concern over family values rather than individual opportunities, was a consistent and direct contributor to the avoidance of deviance. This finding suggests that, in addition to respect and affection (family attachment), familial values, such as duty and obligation, are relevant to the cultural situation of adolescents. Acculturation was positively associated with participation in interpersonal violence and theft, but lower acculturation was related to participation in illicit drug use.