Jacked Up and Unjust Pacific Islander Teens Confront Violent Legacies [Paperback]

In the context of two hundred years of American colonial control in the Pacific, Katherine Irwin and Karen Umemoto shed light on the experiences of today’s inner city and rural girls and boys in Hawai‘i who face racism, sexism, poverty, and political neglect. Basing their book on nine years of ethnographic research, the authors highlight how legacies of injustice endure, prompting teens to fight for dignity and the chance to thrive in America, a nation that the youth describe as inherently “jacked up”—rigged—and “unjust.” While the story begins with the youth battling multiple contingencies, it ends on a hopeful note with many of the teens overcoming numerous hardships, often with the guidance of steadfast, caring adults.

Katherine Irwinis Professor of Sociology at the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa. She is the coauthor with Meda Chesney-Lind ofBeyond Bad Girls: Gender, Violence, and Hype.

Karen Umemotois Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa. She is the author ofThe Truce: Lessons from an L.A. Gang War.

Acknowledgments

Introduction
1. Literature Review and Background
2. The Caring Adult Role and Youth Research
3. “Us Girls Get the Second Half ”: Girls’ Early Socialization and Outspoken Femininity v 4. Fighting for Her Honor: High School Girls’ Struggles for Respect
5. Boys’ Fights and the Jacked-Up System
6. Sea of Good Intentions: Juvenile Protection in the Shadow of Punishment
7. Youth Prepare for Adulthood
8. Theoretical Conclusions
9. Compassionate and Constructive Policy and Practice

Appendix 1. Data Sources and Participant Demographics
Appendix 2. Demographics of Quoted Teens
Notes
References
Index

“This remarkable book demonstrates the incredible spirit of resilience that yolS