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An Adolescent Victimization Immigrant Paradox? School-Based Routines, Lifestyles, and Victimization Across Immigration Generations

  • Empirical Research
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Abstract

There is a growing body of research that suggests parallels between assimilation and increased adolescent violence, which is often referred to as the “immigrant paradox” in the United States. Few studies explore how theories, such as routine activity and lifestyle, could explain the relationship between assimilation and increased violence. This study explores whether and how the adolescent associations between routines, lifestyles, and adolescent school-based victimization vary across immigration generations. Data are drawn from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002, which is a nationally representative sample of tenth graders. This study focuses on a subsample consisting of 9,870 first (N = 1,170, 12 %), second (N = 1,540, 16 %), and third-plus (N = 1,117, 73 %) generation public school students (N = 5,050; 51 % female) in 580 public schools for this analysis of routine activity, lifestyle, and school-based victimization across immigration generations. Findings do indicate important nuances related to immigration in the conceptual links between routine activity, lifestyle, and adolescent victimization. For instance, engagement in school-based sport activities is a potential risk factor for first and second generation adolescents but is found to be a potential insulating factor against violent victimization for third-plus generation adolescents. The implications of the relationships between routines, lifestyles, and violence across immigration generations are discussed more generally.

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Acknowledgments

Gratitude is extended for the helpful comments and constructive suggestions from the editor and blind reviewers throughout the development of this research manuscript. Appreciation is conveyed for the support offered by the Racial Democracy, Crime and Justice-Network (RDCJ-N). The author also thanks Jennifer M. Bondy and Vincent J. Roscigno for their steadfast support associated with this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, 560 McBryde Hall (0137), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Anthony A. Peguero

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  1. Anthony A. Peguero
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Correspondence to Anthony A. Peguero.

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Peguero, A.A. An Adolescent Victimization Immigrant Paradox? School-Based Routines, Lifestyles, and Victimization Across Immigration Generations. J Youth Adolescence 42, 1759–1773 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9904-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9904-2

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