1. Ethnic Identification and Political Attitudes Among Mejicano Youth in San Antonio, Texas.
- Author
-
Garcia, Neftali G.
- Abstract
The ethnic identification and political attitudes of "mejicano" youth in San Antonio, Texas were examined during Spring 1973. The affect or attachment levels for various types of political leaders, as well as for the President and the policeman, were determined. Respondents were 170 "mejicano" students in the 7th, 9th, and 12th grades. A questionnaire, which replicated other data sets to facilitate comparability, was designed to tap (1) ethnic identification with 4 elements considered to be integral characteristics of the "mejicano" culture--language, contact with Mexico, cuisine, and folk medicine; and (2) the respondents' attitudes toward ethnic separation. Some findings were: (1) overall, a strong sense of ethnic identification continued to govern the life styles of"mejicanos" in San Antonio; (2) the language, way of life, traditions, and social interaction favored the persistence of the ethnic factor; (3) there was no discernable ideological preference in the affect or attachment choices, nor did there seem to be much support for Spanish surnamed leaders on the basis of their ethnicity; and (4) the range of awareness of political leaders was rather narrow. (NQ)
- Published
- 1974