The term “model minority” is often used to refer to ethnic minorities who are able to assimilate into mainstream American culture with relative success, specifically Asian Americans. It is important to note that this title is not a means of praising Asian Americans. In fact, despite the prevalence of the Model Minority Myth (MMM) in the U.S., a survey in 2001 found that 43% of respondents had "somewhat negative" attitudes towards Chinese Americans, and 25% had "very negative" attitudes toward Chinese Americans (Kang). Rather than improving the social perceptions of Asian Americans, traditionally, this argument is used to dismiss any claims of institutional racism against other groups, as in to say, “Asian Americans have worked hard and become successful in the United States, so racism is no longer an oppressive force in this country.” However, despite the success of some Asian Americans in some fields, the Model Minority Theory has many gaping flaws. In fact, the MMM generally causes much more harm to Asian Americans than it benefits them.
The MMM is problematic in itself simply based off the fact that it creates a racialized hierarchy in the United States. However, some people might fail to see how this harms Asian American families, especially if it places them above other ethnic minorities on this scale. On the contrary, it is very harmful to Asian American families. As Ms. Kyung Yoon states in the video above, the problem of the MMM is twofold in that it: 1) obscures the problems faced by Asian American communities by focusing only on the “successful” members, and 2) creates racial tensions with other ethnic minority communities in the U.S. by comparing them to the “Asian American standard” when such a comparison is unreasonable due to the extremely different historical circumstances of different ethnic communities.
By grouping all Americans of Asian descent into one homogeneous entity, "Asian Americans," we fail to recognize the vast diversity of culture and background. When we refer to immigrants from Europe, people often talk about Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Polish Americans and so on. Yet, so frequently we only refer to immigrants from the many different countries of Asia as simply "Asians." In 1980 a study found that the mean personal income of Korean, Chinese, and Filipino men in California were, respectively, 82%, 68% and 62% of the income of white men and in New York the mean income of Chinese men was only 52% of white men. Japanese men, however, were reported as having roughly the same income of white men- though they required a higher level of education and more work hours to achieve this parity (Saito, 1997). South Asian immigrants in particular, such as Thai Americans, Cambodian Americans and Hmong Americans, have some of the highest poverty rates in the United States (Takei, 2011). Another concept that is rarely discussed is the "glass ceiling" and how it applies to Asian Americans. The "glass ceiling" is a term typically applied to the obstruction of access to positions of authority for women in the workplace, but researchers have found that there is a similar problem for Asian Americans. Despite a reasonable representation of some Asian Americans in professional settings, there is a block when it comes to positions of authority, leadership and decision-making (Roli, 2004).
The MMM can be particularly detrimental to Asian American students. A study of Asian American women found that when the concept of Asian superiority in terms of test taking was presented prior to taking an exam, the students actually did worse on the exam, which indicates that the MMM can put extra levels of stress on Asian American students (Cheryan & Bodenhaus, 2001). A different study also found that Asian students were held to higher standards than their peers when applying to Ivy League universities and that an Asian American student with an SAT score of 1550 (this study took place when the highest score possible was 1600) had an equal chance of being accepted to an Ivy League school as a white student with a score of 1410 (Epenshade & Chung, 2005). Many Asian students also suffer because when they do not succeed academically, it is seen as more shocking than normal or more of a disappointment, but when they do succeed it is not seen as being special because it expected of them.
As well as dealing with the specific problems for Asian American families and communities discussed above, something all Asian Americans have to deal with is living as an ethnic minority in the United States. Despite what those who support the MMM say, unfortunately, we do not live in a country of racial equality. Even though we have made progress, many ethnic minorities report facing racial discrimination on a regular basis. One way that many people combat this is by forming bonds of solidarity between different cultural groups, for example the combined efforts to fight White Supremacy by the groups the Black Panthers and the Yellow Peril during the Civil Rights Era. However, as mentioned previously, the MMM deteriorates these bonds by creating a culture of competition between minorities and this in itself is detrimental to all people of color, as well as Asian Americans in particular.
In conclusion, the Model Minority Myth, like any racial stereotype, not only does not help Asian American families, it actively works against them by dismissing the problems that they face and denying them the resources they need. They create a false stereotype of universal Asian American success and ultimately create more problems regarding racism in the United States.
Further Reading
The Model Minority Image
Five Ways the Myth of the Model Minority Hurts All of Us
The Model Minority Myth Continues
Questions
1. Do you think the Model Minority Myth and the stereotypes that come with it are as prevalent today as they have been in the past?
2. Can you think of any other "positive" stereotypes about a marginalized group that are actually oppressive when you look at them more closely?
References
*Kang, K. C.(2001). Study Finds Persistent Negative Perceptions of Chinese Americans. Los Angeles Times, A1.
*N. T. Saito. (1997). Model Minority, Yellow Peril: Functions of “Foreignness” in the Construction of Asian American Legal Identity. Asian Law Journal, 4, 71–95.
*Takei, I., & Sakamoto, A. (2011). Poverty Among Asian Americans in the 21st Century. Sociological Perspectives, 54(2), 251-276.
*Varma, R. (2004). Asian Americans: Achievements Mask Challenges. Asian Journal Of Social Science, 32(2), 290-307.
*Cheryan, S., & Bodenhausen, G. V. (n.d). When Positive Stereotypes Threaten Intellectual Performance: The Psychological Hazards of 'Model Minority' Status. Psychological Science, 11(5), 399.
*T. J. Epenshade & C. Y. Chung. 2005. The Opportunity Cost of Admission Preferences at Elite Universities. Social Science Quarterly. 86 (2), 293-305.
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