The Other Side of the Model Minority: The Realities of Asian Delinquency

• In Event: The Relationship Between Systemic Racism and Crime or Criminalization

Abstract

There is a significant knowledge gap in understanding Asian youth delinquency, as criminological research often focuses on the "model minority" stereotype, which masks the unique vulnerabilities and risk factors for antisocial behaviors. Drawing from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data, this study addresses this lacuna by comparing externalizing behaviors (e.g., severe fighting, attacking, stealing, drug sales, and handgun carrying) among Asian (n=1,085) and White (n=10,756) adolescents. Findings reveal distinct cultural and social influences on Asian youth, emphasizing the need for interventions informed by social control theory (i.e., social bonds), strain theory (i.e., academic and familial pressure), and social learning theory (i.e., risk propensity and conflict resolution). Effective prevention strategies should integrate these perspectives while considering cultural context, familial dynamics, and academic stressors, with implications for policy and practice. The goal is to explore these complexities and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of antisocial behavior and delinquency within this population of juvenile offenders.

Authors

• Yohita Shraddha Bandaru, Saint Louis University

• Popy Begum, Saint Louis University

• Vithya Murugan, Saint Louis University

• Jun-Hong Chen, Saint Louis University

• Michael G. Vaughn, Saint Louis University