Chicanas/Chicanos at the crossroads : social, economic, and political change /

This is one of the first of the post-1990 census volumes on Chicanas/os. As in most collections, there are gaps, such as the lack of a strong introductory essay. Part 1, dealing with demographic and economic trends, has particular merit. The quality of "number crunching" on Chicanas/os has improved from previous censuses. These articles will be cited by others because census data is the basis for qualitative studies necessary to interpret the Mexican American experience in the current decade. Maria Rosa Garcia-Acevedo's essay on Mexico-Chicano policies is one of the best available on the subject. Adelaida R. Del Castillo's probative contribution on male/female relations is also a fine piece of original research and will create considerable discussion. Unfortunately, the collection does not include a historical article on Chicanas and Latinas in general; more original studies on gender would also have improved an otherwise solid volume. The trend of some Chicana/o scholars to deny Mexican Americans were victims is semantically troubling; if one is exploited, one is a victim, no matter how much one struggles. Articles are heavily footnoted. Good index. All levels. R. Acu^D na California State University, Northridge