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This paper reports the results of a comparative study of youth gangs in minority communities in Los Angeles and London, England. A combined qualitative-quantitative research design was used to obtain information on the experiences, attitudes and behaviors of Black youth who were involved with or influenced by gangs. Measures included two semi-structured interview schedules for focus groups and individual youth, respectively. Demographic data and statistics on social indicators were obtained for this population in both cities from government and social agency reports on rates of school drop-outs, youth unemployment, involvement in the juvenile/criminal justice system, and health/mental health utilization. The sample included a total of 144 African-American youth, ages 15-30, in 17 focus groups and 32 for individual interviews in Los Angeles, and a total of 86 Afro-Caribbean youth, ages 15-24, in ten focus groups and 66 for individual interviews in London. Results suggest that gangs provide minority youth with an alternative transitional structure for achieving social and economic mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic changes in California offer a preview of national trends in racial and ethnic population groups, with projections of near parity between White and non-White populations by 2050. Racial and ethnic relations in California also provide insights into the conflicts and challenges of a multiethnic, multiracial society developing in the United States. This paper critiques the current Black-White model of race relations as inadequate and inappropriate as the basis for theory, research or policy formulation. The need to develop a new paradigm encompassing a more inclusive perspective on interethnic and interracial relations is proposed in order to account for the increasing cultural and linguistic diversity in American society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes and critiques the use of a combined qualitative and quantitative research methodology to investigate the impact of the verdict and subsequent civil disturbances in the Rodney King police brutality case upon Black youth, ages 15-30, in South Central Los Angeles. The study, conducted in 1993-1994, focused on the attitudes and experiences of these youth in four institutional systems: education, employment, criminal justice and health care. Eight research issues were identified in 17 focus groups and 32 individual interviews: (1) developing the study design; (2) establishing research credibility; (3) recruiting the sample, (4) conducting the focus groups; (5) confidentiality and use of data; (6) data analysis; (7) generalizability of results; and (8) feedback to the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racial relations in California, projected to have parity between white and non-white populations by 2050, illustrates the challenges of an increasingly multiracial society in policy areas such as affirmative action, bilingual education, and immigration reform. A new paradigm is needed that goes beyond the current black-white model to encompass increasing cultural and linguistic diversity. Contains 29 references. (TD)