Understanding Latino Children and Adolescents in the Mainstream: Placing Culture At the Center of Developmental Models.

UNDERSTANDING LATINO CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE MAINSTREAM: Placing Culture At the Center of Developmental Models. Rafaelli, M., Carlo, G., Carranza, M., & Conzalez-Kruge, G. New Directions for Child & Adolescent Development, 2005, 109(1), 23-32. Cultural and linguistic diversity have increased over the past 20 years in the United States. In fact, over 17 percent of the population (18 years or younger) is Latino. However, current developmental literature and research define normative data only by the standards of European American children. This has led many to disregard cultural differences, and deviations from what is the European American norm are often viewed as deficiencies rather than legitimate cultural differences. The authors suggest three strategies to include Latino cultures in developmental models. First, attention should be focused on cultural diversity between and within Latino groups. Researchers should incorporate specific culture knowledge into existing developmental models. Placing culture at the center of developmental models emphasizes the role that culture plays in a child's development. Second, normative research within the Latino population needs to be done. Understanding the developmental characteristics of culturally diverse individuals allows professionals to be aware of the differences between the typical development of a Latino child and a European American child. Finally, developmental models should incorporate such culturally relevant factors as cognitive, emotional, and language development. For instance, incorporating culturally relevant factors that encompass the differences between and within cultures will decrease the chance of a Latino child being misclassifted as having a disorder or disability. Reviewed by Danielle Waldrep, Instructor and Clinical Supervisor, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama.