Extended family members, including siblings, cousins, and grandparents, serve as the primary mentors for Latino young adults—challenging conventional mentorship frameworks that generally highlight teachers or community leaders, according to new research.
A study from the University of Michigan discovered that these adults can both empower and restrict young individuals’ attempts to effect social change.
“Our investigation reveals that adults assume complex, multifaceted roles in the civic development of these youths,” stated Wendy de los Reyes, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Combined Program in Education and Psychology at the Marsal Family School of Education.
“This addresses a vital gap in understanding how Latino emerging adults from immigrant backgrounds develop the skills and support necessary for instigating social change within their communities, moving beyond traditional deficit narratives surrounding youth of color.”
For de los Reyes and her team, these young people hold a distinctive position in American society—they frequently undergo racialization. They might perceive themselves as “perpetual outsiders,” yet are acutely aware of how political environments influence their lives and communities.
“Our research contributes original knowledge by being the first to systematically explore both how nonparental adults facilitate and impede civic development for this demographic,” de los Reyes noted.
A qualitative examination of 23 immigrant-origin Latino young adults, published in the Journal of Adolescent Research, pinpointed five critical methods by which adults positively influenced sociopolitical growth: offering emotional support, creating avenues for critical social analysis, exemplifying engagement, facilitating opportunities for action, and providing instrumental assistance.
Conversely, it also catalogued three ways in which adults inhibited development: stifling dialogue, limiting action, and manipulation.
“What makes this particularly intriguing is how these youths navigate what we term ‘hyphenated multinational identities,’” de los Reyes explained. “They face the challenge of reconciling their family’s cultural traditions with their own social justice pursuits.”
Some individuals in the study indicated that family members who had experienced political turmoil in Latin America were doubtful of their activism in the U.S. This skepticism was not necessarily due to opposition to justice, but rather because past experiences rendered them cautious of political transformation.
Researchers also found the religious context to be unexpectedly nuanced. While some religious family members opposed LGBTQ+ rights, others drew upon Liberation Theology to advocate for immigration and economic justice. This complex reality contests simplified narratives regarding Latino families and their political beliefs.
“The ongoing discourse surrounding immigration and youth activism makes this research particularly relevant,” de los Reyes stated. “Understanding how to effectively support emerging civic leaders from marginalized communities can enhance efforts to bolster democratic participation.”
“Moreover, this work expands traditional mentorship models by highlighting the intricate role that family members—especially extended family—play as mentors, an area that has largely been overlooked in previous studies focused mainly on nonfamilial adults.”
Recognizing that civic engagement is intricately linked to familial relationships and cultural contexts is vital, emphasize de los Reyes and her colleagues. Extended family members frequently play a pivotal role in guiding young people’s civic development, countering the notion that only teachers or community leaders exert influence. This illustrates that intergenerational dialogue holds significance, even in the presence of disagreements, according to the researchers.
These findings suggest that policies aimed at fostering youth civic engagement should take into account familial and cultural contexts instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach. De los Reyes and her team contend that policymakers should invest in programs that train mentors to lead discussions about social issues and promote intergenerational dialogue within families. Furthermore, training for adults engaged with youth is crucial to understand how their roles affect civic development.
Researchers aim for these young individuals to realize that their position, as those navigating between cultures—“hyphenated multinational identity”—affords them unique perspectives on social issues that are immensely valuable.
“It’s typical to experience tension between honoring their family’s histories and values while also advocating for transformation,” de los Reyes remarked. “When family members resist their activism, their hesitation often arises from prior experiences with political instability or oppression, rooted in love and protection rather than indifference to justice. These young adults need not choose between their family and personal values. Seek guidance from mentors who validate your concerns and foster vibrant spaces for conversation.”