Dropout and delinquency: Mexican-American and Caucasian non-Hispanic youth

Abstract

Examined delinquent behavior among Mexican-American (MA) and Caucasian non- Hispanic (CnH) dropouts, students with academic problems, and control students. Dropouts and students with poor grades were much more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. The highest rates of delinquency were reported by males. Mexican-American youth in any of the academic status groups were slightly less likely to engage in delinquent behaviors as compared to CnH youth, but overall rates of delinquency for MA youth may be higher due to their higher dropout rate. It was also found that peers of dropouts and academic problem students were more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors than peers of control students.