For many impressionable Hispanic teens, strong family bonds are not just a way of life, they could be vital toward their development.
According to a report from Saludify, new research conducted by the University of Michigan reveals that teens in high-crime neighborhoods are less likely to travel down violent paths when they value the concept of ‘familismo’, or the close bond between immediate and extended family members.
The study based its findings on a series of contributing factors, which include part-time employment, time spent with friends, and recreational activities.
“Hanging out in the neighborhood is also likely to coincide with a lack of supervision by parents and other adults,” Traci Kennedy, a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology and the study’s lead author, said.
Familismo is considered to be a highly effective approach when fostering the development of Hispanic adolescents and teens. Placing a significance on family time and encouraging family-related activities are all key parts of familismo.
When parents and family place an importance on family togetherness in their developmental stages, Hispanic teenagers may have a more mature perception and approach to life and pressures outside the home, the report said.
“Fostering familismo among Latino adolescents in high-crime neighborhoods may minimize the need for later interventions,” Kennedy said.
(Photo by Saludify via Shutterstock)