ASIAN AMERICANS

Strengths & Weaknesses

Background Information

Asian Americans are the fastest growing ethnic minority in

the U.S.

 + Many Japanese and

Chinese, who are the second
or third generations of these
immigrants, tend to have
relatively higher educational
attainment, larger families,
and higher than average
family income (Bennett &
Martin, 1997). (Diversity,
Oppression, and Social
Functioning, p. 152, 2011)

Strengths
Community

Education

Hard work ethic

Family Orientated

Community

Asian Americans tend to create their own communities

within the U.S. These communities are most often in
large cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle,
Chicago, New York, etc.

Community by Origin
Chinese:
There are around 3.7 million Chinese in America, according to the
2008 census report (Rina Long, 2014)

Filipinos:
There were around 3.4 million Filipinos in 2010,
according the U.S. Census Bureau
Asian Indian: around 1.8 million
Korean: around 1.7 million
Japanese: around 1.4 million

Strength in Community

In order to protect each other from the violence against

them, Chinese immigrants segregated themselves into tightknit enclaves, isolated from the largest society (Ho, 1976) (Diversity,
Oppression, and Social Functioning, p.148, 2011)

These communities of Chinese helped new immigrants to

obtain employment, represented new immigrants in the larger
society, and mediated disputes between and among member
and the majority culture. (Diversity, Oppression, and Social Functioning, p.148, 2011)
these associations also helped to facilitate the social and
economic independent of new immigrants by providing venture
capital and financial advice (Matsuoka & Ryujin, 1991) (Diversity, Oppression, and
Social Functioning, p.148, 2011)

Strength in Community

When people can live in their ethnic community, they also might
be feel more comfortable because they can use their mother
languages and keep practicing their cultures and traditional,
improve their values as well as passing their cuisine to the
U.S. and the world. (Chinatown, Korean town, Little Tokyo/
Japanese town, etc.)

Community in terms of weakness

Seclusion

Little to no Diversity

Peer Pressure

Strength: Education and Work Ethic

Asian Americans hold education in high regard.

Asian Americans also work hard for their families.

Many Japanese and Chinese, who

are the second or third
generations of these immigrants,
tend to have relatively higher
educational attainment, larger
families, and higher than average
family income (Bennett & Martin,
1997). (Diversity, Oppression, and
Social Functioning, p. 152, 2011)

Hard Work Ethic: Example

Chinese immigrants worked as field hands and as

domestics; importantly, the Chinese laborer made a
significant contribution to the completion of the
transcontinental railroad system. (Diversity, Oppression, and Social
Functioning, p. 147, 2011)

Chinese were quickly considered to be a threat in the

late nineteenth century when the American suffered
recessions (Diversity, Oppression, and Social Functioning, p. 147, 2011

Education and Work Ethic: Weakness

Most Asian Americans come to the U.S. seeking

opportunities. However, there are some who come to
the U.S. that already have connections and finances.
In this situation, they may become passive.

Education and Work Ethic: Weakness

Language Barrier

Racism in School or Employment

They (children) may have difficulty with language and their

parents may not be able to help with their homework. Also,
parents tent not to participate in childrens school activities
or organizational events (e.g., PTA, school open house,
teacher-parent conferences, and so on) due to their own
language problems. (Diversity, Oppression, and Social
Functioning, p. 154, p. 155, 2011)
The parents may not contact the school because of their
poor language skills and lack of familiarity with the school
system (Diversity, Oppression, and Social Functioning, p.
154, p. 155, 2011)

Strengths: Family

Strengths: Family

Asian Americans value family in terms of

interdependence, responsibility to others, and group
achievement.
In Asian

culture, the identity of an individual person is

considered to be integrated with and dependent upon
that of the family or community rather than apart from
them.

Family: Strengths
There is always family around, someone to help or take care of
you when you're in need.

There is always someone to look after the children, whether it be

the mother, the aunt, the grandfather, etc. Never need a
babysitter.

The old Asian family immigrants have maintained their own traditional
extended families for several generations.
28% of Asian American live with at least 2 adult generations under the
same roof, which is twice of White, and slightly more than Blacks and Hispanics
(Pew Research Center, The Rise of Asian American, 2013).
The vertical family structure of patriarchal lineage and hierarchal
relationships is common in traditional Asian-American families, but there is
diversity in practice across cultures. Based on the teachings of Confucius,
responsibility moves from father to son, elder brother to younger brother, and
husband to wife. Women are expected to be passive, and nurture the well-being
of the family. (ADLER, SUSAN MATOBA, 2003)

Pressure
Asian families value education of their children. The
childrens educational performance is considered to be a
family matter. (Diversity, Oppression, and Social
Functioning, p. 154, p. 155, 2011)
Another characteristic of the Asian culture is a high degree
of emphasis on reserved emotional expression and
internalization of strong feelings (Diversity, Oppression,
and Social Functioning, p. 154, p. 155, 2011)
Maintaining peace and harmony among family members is
one of the highest priorities in Asian families (Kim, 1995).
Another belief system common among Asians is avoidance
of shame. The socially unacceptable behavior of the
individual is considered to be a family shame. Or To
share the negative information with outsiders could bring
disgrace on the family name (Diversity, Oppression, and
Social Functioning, p. 154, p. 155, 2011).

Family: Weaknesses
Inhibits freedom

Takes away voice from children and women

Children are taught their obligation to the family, and

individual family member (Kim, 1995). Family members
are highly dependent on each other and family values
are characterized by respect for ones elders, ones
ancestors, and family tradition. (Diversity, Oppression,
and Social Functioning, p. 153, 2011)

Video
Asian immigrant Parents vs Western Parents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8LcWJIyLTI