User:Xjiang38/Stereotypes of East Asians in the United States

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Stereotypes on Asian American Scholars[edit]

In Western universities, students from East Asia and Asian American students often face unfair treatment and stereotypes. People sometimes think Asian American students don't have any problems because they're seen as the "model minority," meaning they're expected to do well in school without any struggles. However, this isn't true for everyone and can hide the real challenges some face, like feeling left out, stressed, or not getting enough help. Similarly, East Asian students are sometimes unfairly seen as not having good thinking skills, copying others' work, and not helping the class environment. These ideas are not fair and ignore the individual experiences and contributions of these students.[1]

Different Cultural background[edit]

When Asian American scholars try to work with their teachers or find a mentor, they sometimes run into misunderstandings because their cultural background is different. For example, in many Asian cultures, it's really important to respect those who are older or in charge, and people often talk in ways that are polite and not too direct. But in American culture, people are usually very straight to the point and treat everyone the same, no matter their age or position. This can make communication tricky between Asian American students and their mentors who might expect them to speak up more or brag about their achievements, which can feel uncomfortable or rude to them.[2]

To make things better, mentors and teachers can start by talking openly about these stereotypes and cultural differences. They can learn to understand where their students are coming from and adjust their mentoring style to be more supportive. This means not just waiting for students to ask for help but checking in with them regularly and encouraging them to share their thoughts and achievements. It's also about making sure Asian American scholars feel like they belong and are valued for their unique perspectives and talents.

By focusing on these issues, colleges and universities can help Asian American scholars do their best and reach their goals. It's not just about helping these students and teachers; it's about making the whole academic community richer and more diverse. When everyone feels supported and understood, they can bring new ideas and energy to the table, making education better for everyone. [2]

Impact On Earning[edit]

In the context of East Asians in North America, it has been found that they are stereotypically viewed as more competent but less warm and less dominant compared to Whites. However, the prescriptive aspect of these stereotypes, particularly the belief that East Asians should be less dominant, has notable implications in the workplace. [3] In the research conducted by Sanae Tashiro and Cecilia A. Conrad delves into the widely held perception that Asian-Americans, known for their proficiency in mathematics and technology, might enjoy higher earnings, especially in positions that necessitate computer skills. [4] The study scrutinizes whether this favorable reputation indeed correlates with increased wages for Asian-Americans in comparison to other racial groups. Utilizing data from the expansive Current Population Survey, Tashiro and Conrad aim to uncover whether Asian-Americans genuinely receive a financial premium for employing computer skills in their professional roles. Contrary to common assumptions, their findings reveal that simply being Asian-American does not assure a wage boost for computer-centric tasks. Their investigation further addresses how stereotypes could potentially influence wage structures. The premise explored is whether employers are inclined to offer higher wages to individuals from groups perceived positively. However, Tashiro and Conrad's research findings contradict this assumption, demonstrating that such positive stereotypes do not afford Asian-Americans any wage advantage in technology-oriented employment.[4]

Stereotypes towards Health[edit]

The exploration by Stella S. Yi, and Simona C. Kwon,  examines the significant impact of poor data quality and prevalent stereotypes on the health of Asian Americans. The discussion delves into how Asian American health is significantly influenced by two primary factors: the inadequate quality of their health data and prevailing stereotypes.[5] It unfolds the narrative that the complex health scenarios of Asian Americans stem from the nation's history, migration patterns, and specific policies affecting this group. A critical issue highlighted is the aggregation of diverse Asian communities, such as Chinese, Vietnamese, and Bangladeshi, into a single category, obscuring the distinct health challenges each group faces. Furthermore, the persistence of stereotypes paints a misleading picture of Asian Americans as not facing health disparities, which is far from accurate.

Three stereotypes are notably discussed: the "model minority" myth, suggesting Asian Americans are universally successful and self-sufficient; the "healthy immigrant" effect, falsely indicating that all Asian immigrants are healthier than U.S.-born individuals; and the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype, which unjustly views Asian Americans as eternal outsiders in the U.S. [5] The findings reveal that these stereotypes, combined with the lack of detailed data, lead to Asian Americans often being overlooked in health resources and attention. This situation creates a vicious cycle where stereotypes are perpetuated due to insufficient data to challenge them, and the data shortage is, in part, a result of these stereotypes


Reference[edit]

  1. ^ Moosavi, Leon (2022-07-03). "The myth of academic tolerance: the stigmatisation of East Asian students in Western higher education". Asian Ethnicity. 23 (3): 484–503. doi:10.1080/14631369.2021.1882289. ISSN 1463-1369.
  2. ^ a b Chin, Dorothy; Kameoka, Velma A. (2019). "Mentoring Asian American scholars: Stereotypes and cultural values". American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 89 (3): 337–342. doi:10.1037/ort0000411. ISSN 1939-0025.
  3. ^ Berdahl, Jennifer L.; Min, Ji-A (2012). "Prescriptive stereotypes and workplace consequences for East Asians in North America". Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. 18 (2): 141–152. doi:10.1037/a0027692. ISSN 1939-0106.
  4. ^ a b Tashiro, Sanae; Conrad, Cecilia A. (2009-04). "Stereotypes, Asian Americans, and Wages: An Empirical Strategy Applied to Computer Use at Work". The American Journal of Economics and Sociology. 68 (2): 427–443. doi:10.1111/j.1536-7150.2009.00630.x. ISSN 0002-9246. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b Yi, Stella S.; Kwon, Simona C.; Suss, Rachel; Ðoàn, Lan N.; John, Iyanrick; Islam, Nadia S.; Trinh-Shevrin, Chau (2022-02-01). "The Mutually Reinforcing Cycle Of Poor Data Quality And Racialized Stereotypes That Shapes Asian American Health: Study examines poor data quality and racialized stereotypes that shape Asian American health". Health Affairs. 41 (2): 296–303. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01417. ISSN 0278-2715. PMC 9942602. PMID 35130076.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link)