Academic Stereotypes of Asian-American Students

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Recommended: What stereotypes seem to prevail in regards to Asian Americans

There is a phenomenon happening in most schools throughout the country. Asian students as young as seven years olds are labeled as gifted and enrolled in various accelerate programs to further develop their talents. Certainly, most of these students are deserving of the honorable recognition. However, many skeptics do question how many of them are viewed as exceptional students based upon the stereotype: they are genetically smarter than their non-Asian peers.

For many researchers, the notion of Asian students are hereditary more intelligent than other race groups as believes by Arthur Jensen, an educational psychologist, is not a valid explanation for why Asian students perform better than their counterparts. While it is evident that Asians do earn higher school grade point averages and participate in more advance high school classes, many argue that such merits are earned through hard work and discipline, not heredity.

There are many factors which contribute to the success of these “super-achievers.” Many of them are willing to limit social and leisure activities in order to allocate more time in studying and preparing their school work. In a recent study directed by California sociologist Sanford Dornlush, it indicates Asian students spend an average of four more hours a week in homework than other groups. Furthermore, they

are taught by their parents that determination and persistency are the keys to academic achievements. In addition, many Asian parents are extremely involved and invested in their children’s education. For many first-generation immigrant and refugee parents, they believe the way to realize the American dream is through higher education and professional status. They encourage t...

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In the end, it is up to Asian-Americans to discredit the positive and negative stereotypes. By assimilating with other race groups, Asian-Americans will gain more understanding from their non-Asian peers. In addition, when Asians are more forth-coming with their struggles, it will unmask the myth of perfection and allow others to see them as an individual.

Works Cited

Brand, David. “Education: The New Whiz Kids.” Time Magazine. CNN, 31 Aug. 1987. Web. 11 Jul. 2010

Chin, Melissa. “Why Being ‘Good at Math’ Can Be a Bad Thing: Perpetuating model minority stereotypes leads to resentment and anger toward Asian Americans.” AsianWeek. AsianWeek, 30 May 2008. Web. 11 Jul. 2010

Dailey, Kate. “Stereotypes impact academics, study finds” The Daily Collegian Online News. Collegian Inc., 1 Mar. 1999. Web. 11 Jul. 2010

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