Navigating family: Immigrant‐origin Latinx youth perspectives on parental sociopolitical socialization

Abstract

Abstract Latinx youth navigate unique sociopolitical contexts shaped by anti‐immigrant rhetoric and cultural values like familism. This qualitative study examined how 23 immigrant‐origin Latinx older adolescents (M age = 20.22) perceived their parents' role in their sociopolitical development. Using a modified constructivist grounded theory, we found that parents contributed to participants' sociopolitical development through indirect (affirming Latin American identity, imparting communal values) and direct (modeling engagement, providing encouragement) socialization practices. Socialization occurred primarily through dialogue, with tensions at times emerging. These tensions sometimes were obstacles to development but also catalyzed deeper engagement. Findings extend sociopolitical development theory by documenting how family relationships function as early life experiences (i.e., socialization), showcasing the complex interplay between parents and sociopolitical development.