Violence as Honorable? Racial and Ethnic Differences in Attitudes Toward Violence
Published online on July 19, 2013
Abstract
Criminologists have suggested that Latinos differ from Southern Whites in their views of violence. A sample of 1,429 Texans indicated whether they agreed that violence deserves a violent response, whether violence is necessary to prevent future violence, and whether people have a right to kill in defense of self or family. Controlling for other factors, Latinos and African Americans were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to disagree about the need for violence in preventing future harm and the right to self-defense. Less-acculturated Latinos, indicated by whether they took the survey in Spanish, were the least supportive of violence. Despite having roots in a so-called "culture of honor," Latino immigrants, as well as those who are U.S. citizens, have distinct views on violence.