How Mythical Is the Model Minority Stereotype? Asian American Variations in Socioeconomic Achievement

• In Event: 50260 - Section on Asia and Asian America Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 2: Challenging the Model Minority Myth: Work, Health, and Inequality Among Asian Americans

Abstract

Social researchers critique the portrayal of Asian Americans as “model minorities” on multiple grounds. This study extends that critique by assessing multiple major indicators of socioeconomic achievement at once and identifying which Asian American ethnic groups are solidly advantaged, clearly struggling, or mixed in their achievements. Using American Community Survey data for 2017-2021, this research generates and contrasts rankings of 20 detailed Asian origin groups in terms of their average education, employment, wage income, and homeownership. Asian ethnic group achievements are also compared to those of Black, Hispanic, Native, and White groups. The results challenge overly sweeping portrayals of Asian Americans that exist on both sides of the model minority critique by more accurately capturing variation in Asian American achievement. The patterns of socioeconomic status consistency and inconsistency are summarized in a four-group taxonomy of Asian American stratification—Consistent Achievers, Uniformly Disadvantaged, Traditional Stability Achievers, and Educationally Driven Achievers.

Authors

• Jing Zhang, Florida State University

• John Reynolds, Florida State University