This article will explore the implications of the model minority myth, summarize its history, and discuss its impacts on Asian Americans and other minority groups. Finally, it will recommend ways to avoid the pitfalls of the model minority myth.
History: Where Does the Model Minority Myth Come From?
Asian Americans weren’t always viewed through the lens of the model minority myth, but they have always encountered racism and discrimination in the United States. In the 1850s when a significant number of Chinese immigrants first started arriving in America to escape economic instability and lack of food and opportunities due to wars, they were exploited for cheap labor and given the most dangerous work while being discriminated against, attacked, and even murdered during the Rock Springs Massacre in Rock Springs, Wyoming where 150 White miners attacked their Chinese coworkers and killed 28, wounded 15, and forced hundreds of others to flee, leaving their homes and possessions behind. Common stereotypes the Asian American community had—and continue—to endure over the course of American history include:
Dirty and “full of filth and disease"Lazy and uneducatedInferior and “marginal members of the human race"Illiterate and undesirableDeviantExotic, hypersexual, and submissive
Due to White Americans’ racism, stereotypes about, and suspicion of Asian Americans, laws were passed limiting Asian immigration and naturalization.
The U.S. Eventually Changes Its Attitude Toward the Asian Community
As the U.S. began lifting exclusions on Asian immigration for strategic and political purposes, rampant discrimination and racism against Asian American continued.
Implications of the Model Minority Myth
The model minority myth is an example of a positive stereotype, a stereotype that attributes desirable traits to a group. Although it may be a positive stereotype, its impact is harmful towards the mental health of the diverse Asian American community and in relation to other communities of color. Petersen argued these cultural values prevented Asian Americans from becoming a “problem minority,” implying other people of color were problematic. This racist article saturated with damaging stereotypes puts Whites at the top of a hierarchy and people of color beneath them, fighting for closeness to proximity in a system of white supremacy. This article drove a racial wedge between Asian and Black Americans that are in a continued process of healing for both communities to repair to this day.
What the Model Minority Myth Assumes
Implicit in the model minority myth are two assumptions:
Impact of the Model Minority Myth
While the idea of the model minority took hold over 50 years ago, it’s only recently that the consequences of this stereotype are becoming better understood. Some of the impacts are discussed below.
Encouraging Intergroup Rivalry
From the moment Asian Americans were held up as the model minority, their success was contrasted to that of African Americans. Studies have shown that even today, the model minority myth is used to negatively compare other racial minorities to Asian Americans. The myth has resulted in increased positive perceptions and expectations of Asian Americans while degrading Black Americans. This is highly problematic and can lead to bias, conflict, suspicion, and harm between the two groups that are pitted against each other by white supremacy.
A Justification for Social Inequality
The model minority myth has also been used to justify social inequality. If, as the myth suggests, Asian Americans were able to succeed with minimal help and without fighting for their civil rights, that means the individual is to blame for not attaining success regardless of their race or ethnicity. This is used as evidence to deny or downplay the impact of racism and discrimination on people of color in the United States and perpetuates anti-Blackness.
Asian Americans Are, Consequently, Treated as a Monolith
The model minority myth has led to the assumption that Asian Americans are a monolith. In other words, people assume that all Asian are the same. It’s believed that all Asians are successful and well-off, a notion that ignores the notable disparities in income, employment rates, and educational attainment among Asian Americans. The stereotype and expectation of Asian American success has resulted in increased depression and suicide amongst Asian American youth and failure for Asian American communities in need to receive acknowledgement, support, and resources, including help to counteract institutional racism at school, work, and public services. Moreover, the idea that Asian Americans are a monolith has led to a lack of research investigating the individual differences within this diverse population. This may contribute to poorer health outcomes for Asian Americans as healthcare professionals overgeneralize, adhere to stereotypes, and maintain unconscious biases about Asian American patients.
Negative Effects on Asian Americans’ Mental Health
The model minority myth can also lead to mental health challenges because it places unrealistic expectations on Asian Americans to live up to the stereotype. For instance, one study showed that when Asian Americans internalize the model minority myth it can lead to increased depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Similarly, another study demonstrated that the model minority myth can lead to imposter feelings and psychological distress when Asian Americans struggle with concerns that they can’t fulfill the stereotype. These feelings can be further enhanced by interpersonal shame.
Lower Likelihood of Asian Americans to Seek Help
Even though the high expectations created by the model minority myth can lead to mental health issues for Asian Americans, this population is the least likely of all racial groups to seek out mental health services. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
How You Can Unlearn the Model Minority Myth Stereotype
Although the model minority myth continues to stereotype Asian Americans and harm the fight for racial equality, there are things that can be done to resist and dismantle this stereotype:
A Word From Verywell
While it may be uncomfortable to acknowledge your own internalized stereotypes or racism, it is a courageous and necessary step in unlearning and perpetuating harmful stereotypes about the Asian American community and other communities of color. With discomfort comes growth and understanding. If you belong to the Asian American community, know you are deserving of advocacy, acknowledgment of your true lived experience, systemic change, and mental health support. If you are having a difficult time dealing with racism or racial trauma, consider seeing support with a mental health professional. In your search for a therapist, it is important to ensure that they are culturally sensitive to be able to understand, serve, and respond to the unique challenges the Asian American community face. Finding a therapist who has this knowledge and experience can relieve much of the emotional labor that a client would endure having to explain what it’s like to live in the United States as an Asian American. May we all continue to learn, unlearn, heal, grow, and thrive, together.
