From Too Visible to Invisible
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From Too Visible to Invisible A Comparative Analysis of Latina Youth in the US and UK PhD Thesis Veronica Elizabeth Cano University of Sheffield School of Law May 2015 ...identity is not only a story, a narrative which we tell ourselves about ourselves, it is stories which change with historical circumstances. And identity shifts with the way in which we think and hear them and experience them (Hall, 1995:8) 2 Acknowledgments Completing this study could not have been possible without the tremendous support, guidance and insight from individuals across my academic, social and familial networks. I would like to begin by acknowledging the invaluable assistance and guidance from my academic supervisors at the school of Law; Paul Knepper and Gillian Sharpe. Paul I could not have completed this research without your original solutions to wrapping up my fieldwork, without your constant faith in my abilities, despite my many moments of doubt, and for allowing me to follow my usual out of the box ideas. Gilly you were the eyes and ears of this project helping me see aspects that could be explored further and hearing themes that eluded me. Thank you both for your tireless efforts in reading through my work and providing such insightful feedback. I would also like to thank the teaching staff at the Centre of Criminological Research at the University of Sheffield for their useful feedback and critique that increased my awareness on the importance of translating socio-cultural research to criminology. I would also like to thank the staff at Pima County Juvenile Court who never wavered in their support for this project and in providing me access when needed. In particular I would like to thank Patricia Canterbury for all your support and assistance. Most importantly I would like to thank the participants of this study who surrendered their time, their memories and at times painful accounts of their lives in order to help others that follow. Without you this project would not have been possible or as fulfilling. Lastly I need to thank my family and friends for getting me through the last few years. To my Sheffield family, thank you for the support during the most trying years of my life and for making me feel at home. To my mother, Maria, without you I never would have made it this far. You are the pillar of strength that has supported me and given me the courage to fly. Lastly, to Bailey for keeping me company so I never felt alone despite being far from home. I will always miss you my boy. 3 Contents Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................... 3 Table of Figures .............................................................................................................................. 7 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. 7 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter One: Why are Latina Girls Important? .............................................................................. 9 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Research Sites ................................................................................................................................... 13 Social Environments and Youth Identity .......................................................................................... 15 Ethnic Identity ................................................................................................................................... 19 Research Questions ........................................................................................................................... 22 Research Contributions ..................................................................................................................... 23 Concepts and Definitions .................................................................................................................. 25 Thesis Structure ................................................................................................................................ 26 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Chapter Two: A Tale of Two Migrations ..................................................................................... 29 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 29 The History of Latin Americans in the US and UK .......................................................................... 32 Legitimizing Racialization ................................................................................................................ 38 Critical view of Latin Americans’ integration in the US and UK ..................................................... 46 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 50 Chapter Three – An Analysis of Racialization Utilizing the Ecological Systems Theory, Acculturation Model & General Strain Theory ........................................................................... 52 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 52 Ecological Influences ........................................................................................................................ 55 Ecology and Acculturation ................................................................................................................ 60 Ecology and Crime............................................................................................................................ 65 Gender & Crime According to GST ................................................................................................. 68 Strain from the Environment ............................................................................................................. 72 Identity Theory and Ecological Systems Theory .............................................................................. 75 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 79 Chapter Four – Intersectionality of Ethnic Identity, Culture, Gender and Crime ......................... 81 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 81 The Significance of Ethnic Socialization in Latino Youth Development ......................................... 82 4 Transnationalism and Generation ..................................................................................................... 89 Gender Role Adherence in Latin American Culture ......................................................................... 91 Latina Girls: Victims, Deviants or just stressed-out? ........................................................................ 95 Where social reactions to ethnicity, gender and crime intersect ..................................................... 103 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 105 Chapter Five- Methodology ........................................................................................................ 107 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 107 The Old Pueblo ............................................................................................................................... 108 Pima County Juvenile Centre .......................................................................................................... 111 Latinos in Northern England ........................................................................................................... 115 London and the ‘Latin Elephant’ .................................................................................................... 117 Mixed Methods ............................................................................................................................... 119 Recruitment ..................................................................................................................................... 124 Sample Characteristics/Offending Histories ................................................................................... 125 US: Random / Snowball Sampling ................................................................................................. 127 UK: Snowball/Convenience Sampling ........................................................................................... 130 Questionnaires................................................................................................................................. 133 Measures & Scales for Youth Questionnaire .................................................................................. 133 Measures & Domains