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Model Minority

Have you ever experienced the following?
Others (peers, professors, teachers, counselors)tell you that "you must be great at math and/or science! Are you going to go to med school? "
Professors and classmates assume that you "study all the time" and that you're "doing just fine" without any additional help
Family wonders why you are choosing a major like Art or Journalism instead of medicine or engineering, "like your cousins (or brothers/sisters) "
College peers express envy or resentment that you "probably get A's all the time, " or that you surely were easily admitted into UT
Others seem surprised when you "stand up for yourself" or express dissatisfaction about a situation
You feel inadequate about not "living up to" the image of (academic)excellence that others seem to expect of you
Then you may be experiencing the effects of the MODEL MINORITY STEREOTYPE.

What is the Model Minority Stereotype?
Well, basically the cultural expectation placed on Asian Americans as a group that each individual will be:
smart (i.e., "naturally good at math, science, and technology")
wealthy
hard-working, self-reliant, living "the American dream"
docile and submissive, obedient and uncomplaining
spiritually enlightened and never in need of assistance!
Well, you say, isn't that a good thing to live up to?
Sure, who wouldn't like to be considered "the model" of anything? Smart, self-reliant... Sign me up, you say?

Not so much! No one lives up to a stereotype 100 percent of the time. You might have some but not all of the traits expected of you as an Asian American. And what happens if you do not fulfill the stereotypical expectations placed on you? What are the consequences to self-esteem and/or esteem from others that you value?

No one lives up to a stereotype 100 percent of the time. And what happens if you do not fulfill the stereotypical expectations placed on you? What are the consequences to self-esteem and/or esteem from others that you value
the effects of striving for "perfection" as a member of a "model group" can be highly corrosive on you and your relationships.

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