Student Perceptions of Safety in Perceived Similar and Nonsimilar Race High Schools

• NCJ Number: 245868
• Journal: Journal of School Violence Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: 2013 Pages: 378-394
• Author(s): Jarrett Thibodeaux
• Date Published: 2013
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the results of one geographically limited study that investigated the relation between school racial composition and student perceptions of safety.

Abstract

Despite the large body of research on neighborhood racial composition and perceptions of safety, only one geographically limited study has investigated the relation between school racial composition and student perceptions of safety. Using data from a 2010 national sample of high school seniors, this study found that being in a mostly-same-race high school predicted student feelings of safety; however, this relation was dependent on the race of the student. Contrary to the power in numbers theory, Black and Hispanic students reported feeling less safe in same-race schools whereas the opposite was true for White students. The racial stereotypes applied to places theory better explained the relation between school racial composition and student perceptions of safety at school. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.