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Model Minority

Title: Model Minority

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The term model minority refers to a specific perception that members of a specific demographic group are capable of achieving a considerable degree of success in terms of socio-economic status as compared to the average population of a particular community or locality. The level of such achievement and success could be measured in terms of income, the extent of marital and family stability, education level and low criminality rate (Nguyen, 2011). However, in United States, this term is described in connection with the Asian Americans, especially East Asians (Japanese, Indians and Chinese) because these groups have achieved a considerable level of success in terms of both social and economical concerns, for example, people belonging to these ethnicities are more highly educated, hard working and intelligent as compared to the other ethnicities and even native Americans. Studies have evaluated that reason behind establishment of this stereotype is basically related to the high education and positive social attitude of the Asian Americans, i.e. 50.5% of the Asian American having 25 years or age or above are holding either bachelor degree or higher level, which is nearly double from that of native Americans (i.e. 28%). Similarly, 21.2% of the Asian Americans have advanced degrees, while on the other hand only 10% of the all other Americans, including other minorities as well are holding advanced degrees. According to the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is found that in 2014 the unemployment rate of Asian Americans was only 4.5%, while the Black Americans was representing 11.4% (Majtényi, 2005). The median Income of Asian Americans was reported as $69,000/annually, while the Native Americans and Black Americans have reported $57,000 and $30,000 annually, respectively. These figures support the view point of the Model Minority Stereotypes that Asian Americans are comparatively more progressive and talented then the rest of the population of America.

It is also evaluated over time that although, Asian Americans reported a considerable level of success, wealth, hard working and self reliant nature, uncomplaining and obedient attitude and spiritually enlightened personalities, but exceptions still exists there in the community of Asian Americans as well, for example, most of the Asian American college students are observed as seeking more medical leaves or other unnecessary leaves, therefore, majority of the are not likely to complete their graduation within a period of 4 years. Similarly, Asian Americans students usually report more difficulties with sleep, feelings of hopelessness and stress as compared to the white Americans and even then they are highly reluctant to seek counseling (FUCHS, 2017). It is also evaluated that in 2014, about 33% of the Asian American students left their schools without completing their graduation and about 12% of the Asian were living below the poverty level in America. It has also evaluated that the recognition of Asian Americans as Model Minority is basically due to their comparison with the African Americans, who are living with a comparatively low life style or standard.

However, it is observed that the Asian Americans are not enjoying a relatively high success rate in the American society only on the basis of their high education or wealth, but it is more likely attributed to their social norms and values as well. For example, Asian Americans has a positive attitude towards their cultural norms and values, i.e. they mostly keep their families intact and therefore, in 2014 only 13% of the Asian children were living with single parent as opposed to 21% in whites and 55% in blacks. This shows that there is very low divorce rate in Asian Americans and this is because their culture teaches them to respect humanity and relations instead of materialistic things (Museus, 2008). In A study, it is also observed that 70% of the western mothers believe that stressing their children for good grades will negatively affect their education and therefore, they should make it an entertaining exercise for their children. While on the other hand, Chinese mothers rejected these statements and believe that it is necessary to keep reminding your children that they should be best students and their academic achievements would be like the one that reflect their successful grownup and parenting. Therefore, these are some of the reason that could not make model American possible as opposed to the Model Minority.

References

FUCHS, C. (2017). Behind the 'model minority' myth: Why the 'studious Asian' stereotype hurts. NBC News. Retrieved 28 October 2017, from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/behind-model-minority-myth-why-studious-asian-stereotype-hurts-n792926

Majtényi, B. (2005). What Has Happened to Our Model Child? The Creation and Evolution of the Hungarian Minority Act. European Yearbook Of Minority Issues Online, 5(1), 397-469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/22116117-90000055

Museus, S. (2008). The model minority and the inferior minority myths: Understanding stereotypes and their implications for student learning. About Campus, 13(3), 2-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/abc.252

Nguyen, D. (2011). Review of Unraveling the “model minority” stereotype: Listening to Asian American youth. Cultural Diversity And Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17(1), 122-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0019603