Understanding Latinx Civic Engagement in a New Immigrant Gateway

The U.S. South has experienced rapid Latinx growth; yet, little is known about how Latinx residents are civically integrating into new communities. This article explores whether, where, and why Latinx in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina, are civically engaged. Participants in a Latino Civic Eng...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hispanic journal of behavioral sciences 2019-11, Vol.41 (4), p.447-463
Main Authors: Schuch, J. Claire, Vasquez-Huot, Ligia M., Mateo-Pascual, Wendy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Charities
Citizen participation
Educational attainment
Family Income
Hispanic Americans
Noncitizens
Political representation
Religious beliefs
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The U.S. South has experienced rapid Latinx growth; yet, little is known about how Latinx residents are civically integrating into new communities. This article explores whether, where, and why Latinx in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina, are civically engaged. Participants in a Latino Civic Engagement Project conducted 382 surveys with fellow Latinx residents in a county with Latinx growth rates over 1,800% from 1990 to 2014. Among respondents, 58.5% had volunteered in the past year and 47.0% were members of a faith-based or charitable organization. Household income, educational attainment, and English proficiency were most strongly correlated with civic engagement (r = .456, r = .453, and r = .464, respectively). The main reason for engagement was the betterment of the Latinx community. Main barriers were lack of information (37.1%), limited time (17.2%), disinterest (7.8%), and documentation status (4.3%). Findings can shape conversations about Latinx engagement in ways that include, but go beyond, voting and political representation.
ISSN:0739-9863
1552-6364
DOI:10.1177/0739986319865904