Unpacking Asian-American stereotypes: The nuance of a rich & diverse community

What does it mean to be Asian American? There are over 20 million people of Asian descent in the US, according to the Pew Research Center, and the Asian population is projected to grow past 46 million by 2060. Yet, while there are similar trends that unite us in our shared experiences, no two stories in the AAPI community are exactly the same; in reality, every individual contributes a unique perspective to the collective Asian American history. Although the U.S. is considered a “melting pot”, our diverse stories can be clouded by damaging and oversimplified stereotypes. Therefore, in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we’re pulling back the curtain on a few of the commonly perpetuated tropes to celebrate the beautiful nuance of what it means to be Asian American.

Common Stereotypes About Asian Americans

Anyone who looks Asian must be Chinese or Indian

A person’s race is one of the most visible identity traits. Because of this, Asian-Americans can be immediately stereotyped based purely on appearance. Due to a lack of exposure or education, many people can categorize anyone who looks East Asian as Chinese, and anyone who looks South Asian as Indian. This stereotype is more common in regions of the US where Asians represent a smaller percentage of the population, such as the Midwest and South. In fact, almost 30% of Asian Americans in the US live in the state of California alone.

Another reason for this confusion is that, in the US, 85% of Asian Americans come from 6 countries of origin. Since China and India are two of the major originating nations, people mistakenly assume that this applies to the entire subcontinent.

The reality is much more colorful. There are dozens of countries in Asia and 60% of the world’s population is from Asia No wonder these nuances are hard to properly capture! From Filipino to Malaysian to Indonesian to Japanese to Pakistani to Cambodian to Sri Lankan etc, each nationality boasts its own traditions, languages and unique history. To perceive Asians as a monolith is to erase the vibrancy of an incredibly multifaceted community.

Asian food is cheap and low-quality

Asian Americans often face discrimination based on false ideas of a lack of hygiene and cleanliness, from the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes like people "eating dogs" to the scapegoating of Chinese communities during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asian food can be considered a quick takeaway option that’s cost effective and most likely unhealthy – think pan-Asian buffets or curries-to-go. The reality, of course, is that it encompasses so much more than just the chicken Chow-Mein you order after a night on the town. As Shuxin Zhang says in her paper Salute to the Kitchen Ritual: A history of the transformation of Chinese food in America, “I was really excited to head to the Asian cuisine of the dining hall in my college, until I saw the food served. It was “General Tso’s Chicken,” a fancy name for crispy chicken cut in small pieces, which has nothing relevant to authentic Chinese food”.

But the stereotype has been hard to shake since the first Chinese immigrants brought over their cuisine in the late 1800s. American press coverage reported that Chinese immigrants cooked snakes as appetizers and rats as main courses, pushing Americans away from Chinatown and Chinese cuisine. In reality, the most famous cookbook at the time – Sui Yuan Shi Dan (Cooking menu of Suiyuan) – shows no mention of snakes and rats whatsoever. But Chinese food retained its false reputaton, and Chinese restaurants were only attended by Chinese immigrants for a long while. 

In fact, it was only another stereotype that backhandedly helped out the reputation of Chinese foods. When upper-class Chinese scholars began immigrating to the U.S. in the late 1970’s, they afforded Chinese culture more respect, gaining their community a reputation of being intelligent (which has now developed into the “nerdy” stereotype). This also helped increase interest in the food and elevate its reputation.

Plus, behind the misconception that “Asians eat anything and everything”, may be the Asian-American spirit of resourcefulness. It is true that in several cultures, “unusual” parts of animals are used to cook, such as chicken feet or duck tongue – we think making sure nothing goes to waste is a wonderful act of reverence for our food. Whether it’s crunchy usus ayam in Indonesia or nutritious tiet canh vit soup in Vietnam, there’s a creativity, diversity and resourcefulness in Asian cuisine that we should be proud of.

All Asians are all academically gifted – especially at math

The stereotype of the "model minority" perpetuates the myth that Asian Americans set the gold standard for a “valuable” immigrant in the United States by being “academically gifted” and highly successful professionally.This stereotype can be harmful by masking the challenges that many of us face, like feeling stifled by the pressure to conform to these expectations and struggling to define success on our own terms. 

However, what is reflected in the model minority myth is perhaps the Asian American spirit of resilience, the ability to transform the challenges of uprooting life in your homeland and starting again from scratch into an opportunity to achieve excellence. And many Asian Americans defy the narrow definition of excellence put forward by the model minority stereotype, forging their own paths and redefining success on their own terms. From artists and activists to entrepreneurs and community leaders, Asian Americans are making their mark in every field imaginable, challenging stereotypes and reshaping the narrative of what it means to be successful in America.

Asians have to earn their place in the U.S. 

The origins of the model minority myth can be traced back to the Hart-Celler Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. This legislation gave preferential treatment to immigrants that demonstrated worthwhile professional skills, in order to boost the U.S.’ reputation as a diverse and democratic superpower. This meant that more educated and professionally successful Asians were granted the opportunity to move to the States, self-selecting to be the “smartest” of the lot. This also pigeon-holed Asians into a very narrow role in American society at the time, that continued to be passed down through generations.

This led to the idea that Asian Americans ‘earn’ their place in American society because they ‘deserve’ it – that it’s a privilege bestowed upon them which they can only maintain if they uphold their reputation and their value. It can even translate to micro-aggressions like being told “The only reason you got to come here is because you’re smart”. 

This institutional narrative imposed on Asian Americans holds them to an unfair standard and pegs them as “outsiders”, rather than an integral part of the fabric of American society. In reality, Asian Americans are Americans. We have grown up here, built relationships, and contributed to society in a multitude of different ways, just like anyone else – we don’t need to prove that we meet a certain exceptional standard to be deserving of fair treatment or to call this place home.

All Asians are quiet, obedient and meek

For Asian women, this stereotype often manifests as the "submissive, sexualized Asian female,"  perpetuating the objectification and fetishization of Asian women in Western society. From the exoticization of features like almond-shaped eyes to the fetishization of cultural stereotypes like the portrayal of Asian women as exotic and submissive, Asian women are often reduced to one-dimensional caricatures that deny their agency and individuality. These stereotypes also undermine the value of Asian women should they not fulfill these expectations of beauty and behavior.

Similarly, Asian men are often stereotyped as "emasculated" and "unconfident," perpetuating feelings of invisibility and inadequacy. This stereotype not only ignores the way personalities within the Asian male community are just as wide-ranging as in any other, but also can create a reactive pressure on Asian men to prove themselves, impacting their mental health and self-esteem.

Still, while these stereotypes are largely unfruitful for our community, they are potentially rooted in cultural traits we can be proud of. Traits like being good listeners, being highly attuned to nonverbal cues, and showing deference and respect for authority are often valued in Asian cultures. This reflects a cultural emphasis on harmony, interpersonal relationships, order, and collective well-being, which is something that deserves to be celebrated.

It goes without saying that Asian Americans embody far more identities than simply being quiet and submissive. Asian Americans can be loud, assertive, and outspoken, too, as reflected in the award-winning TV series “Beef.” Not an episode went by where one of the show’s two main characters, Amy Lau and Danny Cho, didn’t exclaim, rage, cry, or make outrageously grandiose claims. On a more personal level, how many of us have received a sharp tongue-lashing from a direct Asian auntie who wasn’t afraid of speaking their mind about our choices on majors, jobs, or relationships? From the boisterous celebrations of Lunar New Year to the spirited debates we have with one another, we as Asian Americans are more than just quiet and submissive. 

And, perhaps more importantly, we can be both. We can listen attentively over an intimate dinner with close friends, argue loudly with our siblings over who gets to choose the movie that night, and assert ourselves in the boardroom when making important decisions. We – as all humans – defy concrete categorization and inflexible definitions of who we are.

All Asian Parents are Tiger Parents

Similarly, the stereotype of the "Tiger Mom" perpetuates the myth of overbearing Asian parents pushing their children to excel at all costs. This portrayal casts a shadow of negativity, depicting these Asian parenting practices as suffocating and constrictive for the child's growth and personal freedom. However, what is overlooked is the underlying motivation behind this stereotype - a fierce commitment that Asian parents demonstrate to ensuring their children experience the safety and security that eluded them in their own upbringing. It stems from a deep-seated desire to provide their children with opportunities for success and stability in a society that may not always have afforded them the same privileges.

Plus, while parental involvement is undoubtedly valued in many Asian cultures, the reality is far more nuanced than the rigid caricature of the "Tiger Mom." Asian families come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own set of values, traditions, and dynamics. Some parents may indeed prioritize academic achievement and discipline, while others may emphasize creativity, emotional intelligence, or personal fulfillment. The spectrum of parenting styles and approaches reflects the diversity of experiences and aspirations within our community.

At the end of the day, raising a child or being raised as a minority group in a majority culture will always be a challenging task. The complexities of intergenerational relationships are only heightened by the demands of cultural adaptation, and while some parents may adhere to traditional values and practices, others may navigate a delicate balance between preserving their heritage and embracing the opportunities and challenges of life in America.

All Asians are Family-Oriented

Another commonly-held belief is that all Asian Americans are family-oriented. While we do often place a strong emphasis on respecting our family ties, not all of us have harmonious relationships with our families. In fact, 6 in 10 Asian individuals were born in another country… that means nearly 60% of all Asian Americans in the US are immigrants! The process of immigration is highly disruptive and can be traumatizing for several generations. Even the most well-resourced immigrants still experience loss and some form of grief; after all, they are leaving their homeland, cherished friends, beloved family, comforting food, familiar customs and norms in pursuit of a better future. This process can also lead to resentment, jealousy, and miscommunication between loved ones, thus adding tension to stable relationships.

The intergenerational difficulties can be heightened by being a part of diaspora, where your parents or grandparents remember a very different homeland and culture with certain traditions and expectations, while you are growing up in a very different environment. Attempting to bridge these two realities can cause great tension and even estrangement or disownment within families. 

Navigating the intersection with other identities that clash with the traditions of our culture can also cause family difficulties. For example, the Asian LGBTQIA+ community, in addition to experiencing double minority stress,  may have a harder time coming out to their parents and end up estranged from their families, seeing as queerness is less widely accepted and understood by Asian cultures. It’s important not to allow this to play into further stereotyping, though, and to remember that while there may be commonalities, this doesn’t mean that all Asian parents are unaccepting of queer children. There are plenty of Asian parents who are kind and encouraging to their LGBTQIA+ children, too. 

But you don’t have to go through these unique familial experiences of the Asian American diaspora alone. While it can be hard to speak to your family if they have grown up in a culture where vulnerability was not welcome and instead stoicism was encouraged, you can find a listening ear in a therapist. A culturally-responsive therapist, in particular, will be able to provide you with support that acknowledges and understands the cultural context of your mental health. This can help you work towards family dynamics that are more fruitful for you, and bring out the well-intentioned underlying motivations within your family’s behavior.

Concluding Thoughts

Do you feel that any of these stereotypes apply unfairly to you? Are you keen to share your experience of how you’ve defied the stereotypes? Email us at info@anisehalth.co.  

Facing the impact of discrimination isn’t easy, and can often feel overwhelming. It’s easier to unpack these emotions with the guidance of mental health professionals. If you feel culturally responsive care could be for you, join Anise today by completing a short intake form here.

We hope that by adding nuance to common misperceptions, we can debunk commonly held myths about the Asian American community, and thus more properly celebrate during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.