Latina Girls: Voices of Adolescent Strength in the U.S.

by Jill Denner, Bianca Guzman

Overview

Latinas are now the largest minority group of girls in the country. Yet the research about this group is sparse, and there is a lack of information to guide studies, services or education for the rapidly growing Latino population across the U.S. The existing research has focused on stereotypical perceptions of Latinas as frequently dropping out of school, becoming teen mothers, or being involved with boyfriends in gangs.
Latina Girls brings together cutting edge research that challenges these stereotypes. At the same time, the volume offers solid data and suggestions for practical intervention for those who study and work to support this population. It highlights the challenges these young women face, as well as the ways in which they successfully negotiate those challenges. The volume includes research on Latinas and their relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners; academics; career goals; identity; lifelong satisfaction; and the ways in which they navigate across cultures and gender roles.
Latina Girls is the first book to pull together research on the overall strengths and strategies that characterize Latina adolescents' lives in the U.S. It will be of key interest and practical use to those who study and work with Latina youth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814719763
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	06/01/2006
Pages:	251
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jill Denner does research on gender, health, and educational equity in collaboration with community-based organizations and schools. She is a Senior Research Associate at Education, Training, Research (ETR) Associates, a non-profit agency focused on health education and promotion.

Bianca L. Guzmán is a community psychologist and co-founder and Director of Research and Evaluation at “PHFE-CHOICES,” a non-profit organization serving Latina women in the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles California. She also teaches at California State University, Los Angeles. Her primary research interest is in the health and well-being of Latina girls residing in the U.S.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction: Latina Girls Transforming Cultures, Contexts, and Selves
Jill Denner and Bianca L. Guzmán
Part 1: Negotiating Family Relationships
2 Los Papas, La Familia y La Sexualidad
3 Conflanza, Consejos, and Contradictions
4 La Casa: Negotiating Family Cultural Practices, Constructing Identities
5 Promoting Values of Education in Latino Mother-Adolescent Discussions about Conflict and Sexuality
Part 2 : Overcoming Institutional Barriers
6 Resistance to Race and Gender Oppression: Dominican High School Girls in New York City
7 La Escuela
8 Latina Adolescents’ Career Goals: Resources for Overcoming Obstacles
9 Career Expectations and Goals of Latina Adolescents
Part 3: Accessing Institutional Support
10 Latina Adolescents’ Sexual Health
11 “Cien Porciento Puertorriqueña” (Puerto Rican,100 Percent)
12 Getting Connected: The Expanding Use of Technology among Latina Girls
Part 4 : Developing Initiative
13 La Felicidad: Predictors of Life Satisfaction and Well-Being among Latina Girls
14 La Salud: Latina Adolescents Constructing Identities, Negotiating Health Decisions
15 Latina Adolescent Motherhood: A Turning Point?
16 Conclusion: Latina Girls, Social Science, and Transformation
About the Contributors
Index

What People are Saying About This

Mary Romero

"A groundbreaking volume of social science research that provides us with the missing presence of adolescent Latina girls in research on the family, institutional barriers, and support. A must read in Latina/o Studies!"
—author of Maid in the USA

From the Publisher

“A groundbreaking volume of social science research that provides us with the missing presence of adolescent Latina girls in research on the family, institutional barriers, and support. A must read in Latina/o Studies!”
-Mary Romero,author of Maid in the USA

“Denner and Guzman offer a compilation that provides a wealth of practical examples for academics, researchers, and community members, breaking down dysfunctional stereotypes and opening doors to new visions.”
-Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy

,

“Denner and Guzman bring together research that counters with data revealing that young Latinas are successfully negotiating challenges they encounter.”
-Hispanic Link Weekly Report

,

“Denner and Guzman create a text that is meant to challenge the social sciences and to create new avenues of study that are essentially, girls’ studies—focused on Latina girls.”
- Feminist Collections: A Quarterly of Women’s Studies Resources

Editorial Reviews

A groundbreaking volume of social science research that provides us with the missing presence of adolescent Latina girls in research on the family, institutional barriers, and support. A must read in Latina/o Studies!”
-Mary Romero,author of Maid in the USA

“Denner and Guzman bring together research that counters with data revealing that young Latinas are successfully negotiating challenges they encounter.”
-Hispanic Link Weekly Report

“Denner and Guzman create a text that is meant to challenge the social sciences and to create new avenues of study that are essentially, girls’ studies—focused on Latina girls.”
- Feminist Collections: A Quarterly of Women’s Studies Resources

“Denner and Guzman offer a compilation that provides a wealth of practical examples for academics, researchers, and community members, breaking down dysfunctional stereotypes and opening doors to new visions.”
-Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy

From the Publisher

"Denner and Guzman offer a compilation that provides a wealth of practical examples for academics, researchers, and community members, breaking down dysfunctional stereotypes and opening doors to new visions."

Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy

"Denner and Guzman bring together research that counters with data revealing that young Latinas are successfully negotiating challenges they encounter."

Hispanic Link Weekly Report

"A groundbreaking volume of social science research that provides us with the missing presence of adolescent Latina girls in research on the family, institutional barriers, and support. A must read in Latina/o Studies!"

Mary Romero

"Denner and Guzman create a text that is meant to challenge the social sciences and to create new avenues of study that are essentially, girls studiesfocused on Latina girls."

Feminist Collections: A Quarterly of Womens Studies Resources