Experiences of Central California Latino Males: Leaders and Youth Recollecting Despair and Success in Barrios and Schools

• In Event: Mexican-American Students and the Process of Social Action

Abstract

This study examined experiences of Latino youth in the Central Valley of California related to their lives within and beyond school. Quantitative data was used to supplement 7 focus groups with Latinos youth, and 12 interviews with Latino leaders who work with youth. Established socioeconomic, health, safety, and education disparities for California’s men and boys of color, and LatCrit’s concept of counter-storytelling and were used to help structure the findings, which showed profound disparities from Latinos youth voices, and leader voices that articulate the needs for youth in Central California. The study concludes with a discussion on how school and community leaders can begin to address the disparities of Latino youth.

Authors

• Juan Carlos Gonzalez, California State University - Fresno

• Jason C. Immekus, California State University - Fresno