Urban African American Youth and Their Caregivers’ Perceptions of School Safety in Chicago

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine multiple factors related to school safety perceptions of youth and parents. Study sample consisted of 131 low-income, urban African American youth and their parents. Females were more likely to perceive their school as unsafe. Parents who were close to their child reported schools as safe. Both youth and parents perceived school as safe when youth has a positive relationship with teachers. Youth whose school was far from their neighborhood reported feeling safe. Neighborhood satisfaction was associated with school safety perceptions among youth. Community violence exposure was related to school safety perceptions among parents.