Idle Mexican American Youth and the Proportionate Size of the Mexican American Population

Abstract

Prior research suggests that as the size of a minority grows, disadvantages accrue for its members. This research explores this issuefocusing specifically on Mexican American teenagers. The relationship between the educational and employment status of Mexican American youths and the proportionate size of the Mexican American population in the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in which they reside is examined using 1990 census data. Findings indicate that a large percentage of Mexican American teens can be identified as idle youths (19%), dropping out of school with limited or no employment. Findings also show-after controlling for intervening variables such as household socioeconomic status, acculturation, and central city residence-that proportionately large Mexican American populations are associated with a reduced risk of idle status. Additional research is calledfor to explore the mechanisms by which these teens benefit.