The Impact of US Sociopolitical Issues on the Prejudicial Treatment of Latino Children and Youth

Abstract

One in four children in the United States today self-identify as Latino. By 2050, one in three children will self-identify as Latino, representing a substantial portion of our current and future human capital. The process in which Latino children navigate through complex identities and integrate into American culture is often shaped by both subtle and overt messages received from their social environment. In that sense, prejudice, or inflexible and irrational attitudes or opinions toward a group, gives rise to discriminatory practices that can shape the child’s overall well-being. Latino children not only experience prejudice and discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity but also due to lack of language proficiency, documentation status, parental acculturation, socioeconomic status, and cultural practices. In this chapter, we will focus on (1) providing a brief sociodemographic overview on Latino children while highlighting ethnic group differences, (2) exploring different forms of prejudice against Latino children, (3) identifying the settings in which prejudice often takes place, and (4) understanding the academic, social, emotional, and economical impact of prejudice. Finally, we will highlight how Latino children cope with prejudice and what actions society can take toward reducing prejudice and promoting resilience among Latino children.