What is the Model Minority?

In the wake of the current Black Lives Matter movement, the term "model minority" has become a topic of increased discussion. It is a label attributed to Asian communities (describing a “perfect minority”) causing extremely toxic mindsets. We've seen our Asian peers hold themselves to unrealistic standards that ultimately bring down their mental health, as well as Asian parents who unintentionally push their children too far. 

During the latter half of the 20th century, Asian Americans began achieving higher and higher socioeconomic statuses in comparison to other minorities. In 1987, Asians were already earning around $10,000 more in median household income annually than whites. However, the success of Asians came at a cost, fostering the creation of the term “model minority”; this label has negatively affected both Asians and non-Asians alike and acts as a racial wedge towards other minority communities. 

Over the years, Asian stereotypes have remained unchanged and are usually represented by a cookie cutter individual. The "model" Asian is heterosexual, has a job in a high paying occupation such as engineering or medicine, and continuously strives for success. Although matching this description isn’t necessarily harmful, it is a large generalization that all Asians fit this cookie cutter mold. Not every single Asian is the same; many have different attributes that do not fit this stereotype, causing stress and anxiety for them. We've seen Asian parents pressure their children into pursuing specific fields, constraining them to these career pathways; anything related to arts and language then becomes shunned. Asian kids who have atypical hobbies feel invalidated, and are forced to abandon their passions to follow the path of the "model" Asian. Unfortunately, this stereotype has become so widespread that many, including Asians themselves, expect to be this individual.

How the Model Minority Affects Us

As a result, society places immense social pressure on Asians to restrict themselves to these “perfect” characteristics, creating a very limited definition of Asian success. This pressure also creates this mentality that we are meant to be perfect: those who fail to be are stigmatized, and seen as weak-minded or lazy and are shunned by the community. At school, we’ve even seen Asian kids cry and have panic attacks over Bs, a clear outcome of the model minority myth. To other students, it may seem like they are bragging or showing off; however, the genuine anxiety over their non-perfect grades is real. The standards we raise for ourselves are leaps and bounds higher than what they actually should be, which acts as a constant source of unnecessary stress.

This social pressure has reached the point where “Asian” has become an adjective describing characteristics of the stereotype. Along with the immigrant mentality (a drive to establish the family in the new setting), the Asian mindset is forced to become close-minded, only pursuing the representative Asian model instead of what individuals enjoy. As a result, Asian Americans face greater levels of stress as well as greater risks of mental instability. 

In an APA article written by Koko Nishi, a doctoral candidate at The George Washington University, researchers looked at the main sources of stress in Asians relating to mental health. Participants reported that two of the most common sources of stress was the pressure to live up to the model minority stereotype and parental pressure to succeed in academics. Personally, we have seen our peers crumble under the immense stress from these pressures that our own community places on us. It is evident that the pressures are simply unhealthy, and only fosters more stress. The study also found family obligations - based on strong traditional values - as well as balancing their bicultural sense of self were also stresses that affected their mental health; problems unique to the Asian American culture. 

What the term "model minority" creates is the false representation that we are supposed to be perfect and cannot be affected by “small” problems. Because of this, Asians may develop a fear of vulnerability and imperfection, making them less open to sharing their problems, and instead, bottling them up. As a result, they don’t believe things like mental disorders are significant. Overall, in Asian American culture, the outcome is that non-tangible problems, such as emotional and mental health, become obsolete. 

One of our Asian American peers described that:

Despite the lack of conversation about Asian youth going through depression, the statistics have reflected that Asian Americans are more vulnerable than other US populations. 18.9% of Asian American high school students reported considering suicide, compared to 15.5% in Caucasians. This comes as a shock to many people, since depression and mental health is largely represented by the White population. In fact, it is only represented this way simply because their culture allows them to be more outspoken. Many Asians on the other hand, feel suffocated by the norm of keeping silent about their issues. In fact, for many Asian kids, bringing up the conversation of seeking a therapist to their parents might result in a dismissive chuckle and a wave of the hand. 

Reports also show that the Asian-American population have much more struggles when looking for treatment. Language barriers prevent many from receiving care, and Asians parents especially tend to have less awareness of the potential resources and services to help them. Researchers noted that mental health concerns were considered taboo in many Asian cultures, and that the biggest deterrent for seeking care was the stigma behind mental health. Many simply ended up neglecting, denying, or dismissing such concerns due to the stigmatization, and we’ve seen that reflected in our peers as well. Additionally, Mental Health America (MHA) has found that Asian-Americans are 3 times less likely to seek help when compared to other US ethnic groups. Without seeking proper medical attention, harboring such disorders can have devastating effects.

Our Purpose/Goal

With the realization of these problems, we created Project Lotus. Our goal is to help tackle the Model Minority myth and destigmatize the negative connotations behind Asian mental health. We want to help spread the word that Asians don’t have to be the “ideal Asian”: that there should be no pressure that drives them away from what they enjoy. We want Asians to realize that the definition of success is much broader than you think: it doesn’t always have to be gaining a high social status, gaining the respect of others, or earning a large sum of money. Success can be so much more than that. 

Most importantly, we want to educate the Asian-American community about mental health. It is a real issue that can only be tackled by bringing attention to it, and introducing it into successful parenting. Asian parents and children should know that mental disorders are a real threat to our overall well-being and that there should be no stigmatization or fear behind opening up. Here, at Project Lotus, we vow to help spread awareness about the truth behind mental health to Asian communities and to empower the voices of our Asian peers.

*Note: If you are experiencing any distress or concerns involving mental health, please consult our Resources page for guidance on potential services.