The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

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Well, I guess yes and no. With the drug problem in the area we have had
larger numbers of minorities that are involved then white kids. We also
have more serious assault charges.
Much of the discussion from the interviews on race specific differences focused on the
family and trust of the system.
Family
Some officers felt that black youth are more likely than whites to come from a
dysfunctional family unit. In particular, the perception is that blacks are more likely to
come from a single parent household. In addition, the family dynamics is also believed to
differ for blacks in comparison to whites. The following responses to the questions, “Do
you see any difference between minority, which is primarily black in this area, black
families vs. white families who have delinquents”, highlight these themes.
I would say that probably you would find a higher percentage of minority
youth who are coming from single parent and nonmarried families...
I would say that their family is more important to them...Their kin, their
aunts, uncles, grandparents,...I think the extended family is still there, the
importance of family is still there.
Others disagree about the strength and importance of the extended family for blacks in
contrast to whites.
Most officers did not mention black/white differences in teen—age pregnancy.
There, however, were a few that see this as race—specific.