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Ethnic Awareness, Prejudice, and Civic Commitments in Four Ethnic Groups of American Adolescents

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Abstract

The role of prejudice and ethnic awareness in the civic commitments and beliefs about the American social contract of 1,096 (53% female) adolescents (11–18 year olds, Mean = 15) from African-, Arab-, Latino-, and European-American backgrounds were compared. Ethnic awareness was higher among minority youth and discrimination more often reported by African- and Arab-Americans. Parental admonitions against discrimination were heard by all but African Americans, Latinos and those who reported prejudice heard that it could pose a barrier. Adolescents’ beliefs that America is an equal opportunity society were negatively associated with experiences of discrimination and African-Americans were least likely to believe that the government was responsive to the average person. With respect to civic goals, all youth endorsed patriotism but ethnic minorities and ethnically aware youth were more committed to advocating for their ethnic group and European-Americans were less committed than were African Americans to improving race relations.

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by a Resident Fellowship from the Spencer Foundation and by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded to Constance Flanagan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Penn State University, 201 Ferguson Bldg., University Park, PA, 16802-2601, USA

    Constance A. Flanagan & Leslie S. Gallay

  2. Penn State University, 402 Marion Place, University Park, PA, 16802-2601, USA

    Amy K. Syvertsen

  3. Penn State York/Prevention Research Center, Penn State University, 14 Main Classroom Building, 1031 Edgecomb Avenue, York, PA, 17403, USA

    Sukhdeep Gill

  4. Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Unviersidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile

    Patricio Cumsille

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  1. Constance A. Flanagan
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  2. Amy K. Syvertsen
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  3. Sukhdeep Gill
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  4. Leslie S. Gallay
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  5. Patricio Cumsille
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Correspondence to Constance A. Flanagan.

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Flanagan, C.A., Syvertsen, A.K., Gill, S. et al. Ethnic Awareness, Prejudice, and Civic Commitments in Four Ethnic Groups of American Adolescents. J Youth Adolescence 38, 500–518 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9394-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9394-z

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