Abstract
Criminologists have suggested that Latinos differ from Southern Whites in their views of violence. A sample of 1,429 Texans indicated whether they agreed that violence deserves a violent response, whether violence is necessary to prevent future violence, and whether people have a right to kill in defense of self or family. Controlling for other factors, Latinos and African Americans were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to disagree about the need for violence in preventing future harm and the right to self-defense. Less-acculturated Latinos, indicated by whether they took the survey in Spanish, were the least supportive of violence. Despite having roots in a so-called “culture of honor,” Latino immigrants, as well as those who are U.S. citizens, have distinct views on violence.
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