Adolescents' exposure to classmates from non‐immigrant families and adulthood volunteerism. (19th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tong, Yuying; Kim, Jinho
• Is Part Of: Social science quarterly. Volume 103:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 193
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2022-01-19
• Subjects: school context -- peer effects -- third‐plus‐generation -- immigrant -- volunteering; Political science -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4941

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Schools are important conduits for the core American value of volunteerism. School peers influence each other's civic knowledge, engagement, and eventual identity. However, whether the influence of peers on volunteerism differs based on immigrant and/or ethnic background is largely unknown. We examine whether and how exposure to classmates born to non‐immigrant parents is associated with volunteering behavior in adulthood. Methods: Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study employs a quasi‐experimental research design. Results: We find that a higher concentration of classmates from non‐immigrant families increases the likelihood of engaging in volunteer work in adulthood. This association is large and statistically significant only among children of immigrants, which suggests that school peer contexts facilitate the long‐term social integration of children of immigrants in civic engagement. Moreover, the peer effect on volunteering is more salient for Hispanic children of immigrants compared to their Asian counterparts, suggesting the distinct pathways of civic learning between them. Conclusion: These findings provide empirical evidence on the heterogeneous effect of peers across people with different immigrant and ethnic backgrounds.