Citation

Hayner NS. Am. J. Sociol. 1938; 43(6): 908-919.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1938, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/217873

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The extent of criminality among Orientals in America seems to vary inversely with the extent to which they are incorporated in closely integrated family and community groups. Neither Japanese, Chinese, nor Filipino offenders in the Pacific Northwest present a problem when compared with whites, but they do show interesting variations when compared with one another. The low rate of criminality for Japanese is explained by the clear definitions and moral discipline of the transplanted patriarchal family, and by the efficiency and organization of the Japanese community. A small amount of family life, weak community organization, and disorganizing contacts with Americans account for the higher rates among Chinese and Filipinos.