Chicanos comprise both the oldest and newest minority in the United States with the largest number being second and third generation. They are characterized by great intra-group diversity along generational, locational, socioeconomic, and acculturational lines. There is also evidence of increasing differentiation in social relations with non-Chicanos, in family patterns, and in the maintenance of cultural distinctiveness. Yet, Chicanos share, to varying degrees, some common elements of history, culture, "blood", and position relative to the American core culture. The political experiences of a Mexican American youngster are different from those of his core culture counterpart. His political world is more "locally circumscribed" than that of core culture children. The Chicano's political development is influenced by 3 complex and interrelated phenomena: (1) his cultural values; (2) his contacts with the dominant core culture; and (3) his societal position which results from both his cultural values and his contacts with the dominant core culture. His political development is also influenced by colonialism, his physical distinctiveness, his language, the school, the local community (barrio), authority relations, and his family. (Author/NQ)