Parental Involvement in Grassroots Community Organizing and Latinx Youth Outcome

With increased displays of racism and anti-immigrant sentiment across systemic and interpersonal domains, some Latinx immigrant families are joining social justice efforts to fight for the dignity and respect of immigrant communities alongside community organizations. There is limited research, however, on how immigrant parents’ involvement in activism impacts youth sociopolitical development and mental health. We draw from the healing ethno-racial trauma (HEART) framework to examine how Latinx immigrant families' understanding of sociopolitical issues and civic involvement could potentially facilitate youth’s healing from the ongoing ethnic-racial trauma experienced by Latinx immigrant families.

In-depth interviews were conducted in 2021 with five Latinx immigrant parent-youth dyads involved in Cosecha, a grassroots immigrant-rights organization. Youth ages ranged from 13-18. Families were recruited through local community partners. Thematic analysis of data was conducted using the RADaR technique. Team members checked in with one another at each phase of analysis ensuring strong inter-rater reliability.

Three themes emerged from parent interviews: 1) the complexity of the immigrant experience, 2) sociopolitical climate and socialization, and 3) activism and community organizing. Parents believed it was important to share with their children their experiences with racism and anti-immigrant rhetoric, and demonstrated knowledge of the ways in which exclusionary policies affect their livelihoods. Parents described their participation in Cosecha as a platform to voice their concerns and advance immigrant-friendly policies. For instance:

We went to Lansing and I was shocked because, as an immigrant, we can’t do certain things or we think we can’t do certain things... There were police and it was like all that energy that yes we can. That it doesn’t matter our status and that we don’t have to be hiding, we have to have strength, ... It was over a thousand people, it was like, “I’m here and here I’m going to continue.”

Themes from teen interviews included: 1) developing an understanding of their mixed-status families, 2) sociopolitical communication and awareness, and 3) activism and hope. Youth reflected on their experiences and feelings as they learned about their parent’s immigration status and their identity as members of immigrant or mixed-status families. Youth described the importance of community organizing and their desire to engage in advocacy for change. When asked about how participating with Cosecha impacted her feelings and understanding of her mom’s documentation status, Eva explained:

...knowing that in some ways, I can help in some parts, and in some parts that I can't help in, like making my siblings understand...We can work as a team and help our community and my mom.

Findings indicate that involvement in grassroots organizing may serve as an avenue for healing and empowerment for parents and teens. By engaging in efforts that affirm the human rights of immigrants, parents model positive coping mechanisms for their lived experiences. In turn, youth develop a greater sense of personal agency and belonging, and deeper knowledge of social justice issues in their communities. Research on the role of community organizing on immigrant families’ well-being presents an opportunity for practitioners to uplift these communities.