Dubbed the "decade of the Hispanic," the 1980s was instead a period of retrenchment for Chicanos and Chicanas as they continued to confront many issues of earlier years in a more conservative political environment. This book assesses the most significant developments in the conditions and experiences of Chicanas and Chicanos since the late 1970s. Ten essays by leading Chicano and Chicana scholars on economic, social, educational, and political trends examine such issues as the rapid population growth of Latinos, the turn to the right in American politics, the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment, the launching of new initiatives by the Mexican government toward the Chicano community, continuing struggles related to educational equity and bilingual education, feminism, and the emergence of a new generation of political activists. Essays are: (1) "Demographic Trends in the Chicana/o Population: Policy Implications for the Twenty-First Century" (Susan Gonzalez Baker); (2) "Mexican Immigration in the 1980s and Beyond: Implications for Chicanas/os" (Leo R. Chavez, Rebecca G. Martinez); (3) "Chicanas/os in the Economy: Issues and Challenges since 1970" (Refugio I. Rochin, Adela de la Torre); (4) "The Chicano Movement: Its Legacy for Politics and Policy" (John A. Garcia); (5) "Chicana/o Organizational Politics and Strategies in the Era of Retrenchment" (Isidro D. Ortiz); (6) "Return to Aztlan: Mexico's Policies toward Chicanas/os" (Maria Rosa Garcia-Acevedo); (7) "Actors Not Victims: Chicanas/os and the Struggle for Educational Equality" (Guadalupe San Miguel); (8)"Juncture in the Road: Chicano Studies since 'El Plan de Santa Barbara'" (Ignacio M. Garcia); (9) "Gender and Its Discontinuities in Male/Female Domestic Relations: Mexicans in Cross-Cultural Context" (Adelaida R. Del Castillo); and (10) "With Quill and Torch: A Chicana Perspective on the American Women's Movement and Feminist Theories" (Beatriz M. Pesquera, Denise A. Segura). Contains references in chapter end-notes, an index, author profiles, and a list of abbreviations. (SV)