The “Model Minority” Myth and How It Impacts Asian Mental Health
By Bijou
“Asians are supposed to be good at math!”
“All Asian kids have A’s anyways.”
“Why are you struggling? Aren’t you Asian?”
“You should be good at this, you’re Asian.”
Many Asian students are familiar with these phrases, which are frequently used to paint Asians as what is known as the “model minority”. Indeed, when asked to describe what Asians are like, many will likely give the same answer. Straight A’s in every class. Captain of a varsity sports team or president of a school club. A schedule stacked with AP and honors courses. Spending countless hours after school at their desks: studying, learning, and studying some more. These are some of the vast traits that Asian students are labeled with. While it can be generally inferred that labeling Asians with these seemingly positive traits is meant to be laudatory, the truth is quite the opposite. This “model minority” myth branded on the Asian community does more harm than good for the mental health of young Asian students and highlights the lack of mental health support dedicated to the Asian-American community.
What is the Model Minority Myth?
The Model Minority myth is the social perception that all Asians are successful, particularly academically and economically. It stereotypes Asians as obedient and hardworking, painting them as the ideal minority group: high achievers who work tirelessly without complaint.
The term was first coined by sociologist William Peterson in 1966 when describing the socioeconomic success of Japanese-American immigrants despite the widespread racism and discrimination present at the time. During a period when there was a spike in immigration, Asian-American immigrants were singled out as the embodiment of the American dream, in which every American can succeed with the help of hard work and determination. However, in reality, this concept does little to elevate Asian Americans and motivate them to succeed. Instead, it does the opposite and pressures young Asians to obey stereotypes that damage their mental well-being.
The Effect of the Model Minority Myth on Asian Mental Health
Studies found that Asian American students who internally believed in the Model Minority myth were more likely to experience academic and mental stress. Furthermore, failing to meet such high expectations is considered an act of “failure” by such students. Especially due to the academically and economically demanding nature of Asian culture, in which parents often prioritize their children’s academic performance and economic well-being over all, failure is an absolute impossibility. This ties in with the cultural norm to act as a “good child” to one’s parents by meeting their expectations and showing appreciation for them by becoming successful and independent. Additionally, the Model Minority myth impels Asian Americans to reject support from others; it defines a “good Asian” as someone who works tirelessly without complaint, bottling up their emotions to appear perfect on the outside. In 2020, less than 10% of Asian Americans were inclined to seek out mental health support. Even today, these statistics remain unchanged. A 2023 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that Asian Americans were 50% less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to white adults. Separate studies found that Asian Americans had alarmingly higher suicide rates compared to other racial groups, especially for adolescents. Due to the pressure to align with Asian stereotypes, Asian Americans are reluctant to openly discuss their mental health struggles. As a result, it is difficult to gather precise information on the number of Asian Americans experiencing mental health issues. The Model Minority myth goes as far as to promote the misconception that Asian Americans are unlikely to experience any sort of mental health issues and therefore do not require treatment for such conditions, resulting in discrimination against Asians seeking mental health care and discouraging them from seeking out assistance for their mental health issues.
Takeaways
Perfection is not the path to success. Rather, the first step towards success is creating a balance between mental well-being and life. This first step in bringing the Asian-American community closer to their mental health needs is to dismantle the Model Minority myth and instead promote inclusivity and diversity for the Asian community to disprove the idea that all Asians must follow a certain stereotype. Additionally, it is crucial to acknowledge that being Asian should not define anything. It should not define whether or not you receive the mental health support you need. It should not define your likelihood of developing mental issues, nor should it define what standards you must live up to. Mental well-being should be a necessity for everyone, Asians included. With proper education and increased awareness of Asian mental well-being, we can ensure that the Model Minority myth and other harmful stereotypes remain in the past and prevent them from defining our futures.
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