Introduction
Asian Americans are always shown to have a relatively low rate of substance abuse among all the ethnic groups in the US (Kim, Ziedonis, & Chen, 2007). In fact, studies suggest that Asian American youth are more vulnerable for emotional and social difficulties than youth of other races or ethnicities (Wong et al. 1998). As a group of immigrants, Asian American youth often face acculturation stressors like low self-esteem, high depression and anxiety and social isolation, and more and more studies have reported various behavior problems among Asian American youth, like gang activities (Zhang, 2002), a rapid increase in juvenile crime (Le, 2002) and a significant increase in violence.
The substance usage among Asian American youth keeps at a low level. However, a recent study indicates that there has been an increasing trend in substance abuse among Asian American youth. Asian American youth are proved to have the heaviest level of alcohol drinking among examined racial and ethnic groups (Kim et al., 1995), and the rate of smoking among Vietnamese American adolescents (37.7%)was proved to be close to the smoking rate among Vietnamese American adult males (43.2%) (Wiecha, 1996). In terms of ecstasy usage, although the usage declined after 2002, it has been increasingly used among youth since 2005, and Asian Americans were found to have the second highest rate of ecstasy use among all the ethnic groups (McCabe et al., 2007), as well as the fastest increase in the rates of usage among all the four major ethnic groups (White, African American, Hispanic/ Latino and Asian American and Pacific Islands) (Strote et al., 2002). To sum up, results of studies on substance usage among Asian American youth are inconsistent.
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Wong, F. Y., Huang, Z. J., Thompson, E. E., De Leon, J. M., Shah, M. S., Park, R. J., & Do,T. D. 2007 Substance use among a sample of foreign-and US-born Southeast Asians in an Urban Setting. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 6(1), 45–66.
Wiecha, John M. 1996. “Differences in Patterns of Tobacco Use in Vietnamese, African- American, Hispanic, and Caucasian Adolescents in Worcester, Massachusetts.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 12 (1): 29–37.
Wong, Paul, Chienping Faith Lai, Richard Nagasawa, and Tieming Lin. 1998. “Asian Americans as a Model Minority: Self-Perceptions and Perceptions by Other Racial Groups.” Sociological Perspectives,41 (1): 95–118.
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Chinks, bad drivers, math and science nerds, F.O.Bs and ect. There are so many stereotypes and misconception for one specific ethnic group: Asian. But perhaps the most popular image of Asian Americans presented in society is being the “model minority.” If you were to ask any random person to pick a specific minority group that was more academically, economically and socially successful compared to the others, chances are 90% of them would answer: Asians. “Asians makes more money than any other race.” “Asians have the highest grades compared to other races, especially in math and science subjects.” But contrary to these popular stereotypes, the misrepresentation of Asian Americans as the model minority are false and simply just a myth. Furthermore, this misleading comparison may actually lead to harmful consequences in Asian American students.
...-American descents are approached with problematic instances that brings them to substance usage will provide enough evidence to display the critical situation of substance abuse, let alone coping mechanisms. With treatment tools, support, and trust, these individuals can find assistance in this problematic field.
Robert s. Young, Jennie R. Joe. “ Some Thoughts About Epidemiology of Alcohol and Drug Use Among American Indian Population”. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. Vol. 8 Iss 3:(2009) 223
According to the Pew Research Center data, recent trends shows that Asian Americans are the “the highest-income, best-educated and fastest-growing racial group in the United States” ("The Rise o...
In 1970, the term “model minority” was popularized by journalists, social commentators and some academics to refer to Asian Americans. The stereotype suggests that Asian Americans are more academically, economically and socially successful than any other racial minority groups, and it was achieved by overcoming disadvantages through hard work, thrift, strong family ties, and emphasizing children’s education. Contrary to this popular belief by Americans, the exaggerated praising of Asian Americans as the model minority is false. This positive image of Asian Americans as a model minority has a sinister core of believe about Asian Americans and other racial minorities in America: a view of Asian American as foreign. Since most studies on Asian children centered on their success stories and the realization of the invisible crisis that many Asian American children face is fairly recent, few studies have addressed the diverse and complex experiences of Asian American children, especially those who do not fit the model minority stereotype. This paper revisits the model minority myth and examines the impact of model minority myth on underachieving student who are failing schools. I will first present a contextualized understanding of the “model minority myth,” what is it and what does it mean to be model minority. Secondly, I will demonstrate that the myth has been inaccurate and invalid representation for many Asian American students. Then, I discuss the impact of the model minority stereotype on underachieving Asian American student schooling. I argue that the stereotype has pose a threat to the students’ advancement on school and society. In order to illustrate the impact of the model minority stereotypes on individual experiences, I r...
In this paper I will be sharing information I had gathered involving two students that were interviewed regarding education and their racial status of being an Asian-American. I will examine these subjects’ experiences as an Asian-American through the education they had experienced throughout their entire lives. I will also be relating and analyzing their experiences through the various concepts we had learned and discussed in class so far. Both of these individuals have experiences regarding their education that have similarities and differences.
Wu, Li-Tzy, Dan G. Blazer, Marvin S. Swartz, Bruce Burchett and Kathleen T. Brady. 2013. "Illicit and Nonmedical Drug Use among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and Mixed-Race Individuals." Drug & Alcohol Dependence 133(2):360-67. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.06.008.
In contrast with urban gangs, studies of Native Americans living on rural areas on reservations in 1998 indicate that only 15% of the youth in these communities are gang members (Hailer 1998). Compared to the roughly 72% of youth persons related to gangs in Chicago IL, this percentage of Native gang members seems relatively small, as should it be. There are estimated to be around 4,500 active Native gang members in 400 gangs within tribal communities (Grant 2002) and over 1.4 million urban gang members involved in 33,000 gangs across America (Hazlehurst 1998). This is most likely caused by the 26% poverty rate, the 3 times as high alcohol related problems, and the 2.5 times rate of suicide in comparison to the rest of the American population (Major 2004). Also contributing to the high enrollment rate is due to the “neglectful and abusive treatment from federal and local government” (Theriot 2007). This treatment has been shown to leave feelings of isolation, exclusion and frustration coming from the Native population which in turn provides Natives an excuse to drink and turn to substance abuse and crime.
As an Asian American, I have several points to discuss in terms of stereotypes. Through a variety of media, Asian Americans are portrayed by socially constructed stereotypes that are either positive or negative to our community. By explaining the definition of a stereotype and listing three specific ones identified, these points reflect our cultural values. These stereotypes include the concept of model minority, the insinuation that Asians are highly skilled at mathematics, and assumptions of our food ways. In each stereotype, I integrate my own experiences to provide a deeper depth of meaning that will allow one to evaluate whether these stereotypes do mirror our society’s customs.
Spotlighting on drug abuse by specific ethnic group was a good start to research, as it shed some light on the actual drug problems by minority group. The study showed that African American teenagers have a lower rate of drug use compared to Whites, however they suffer from more drug-related health problems than any other ethnic group. It was also suggested that drug use is believed to cause criminal behavior in African American communities. Asians and Pacific Islanders may be less likely to pursue treatment services because they are not culturally appropriate. Higher rates of alcohol abuse are more likely in their native countries than in the United States because treatment options are more actively utilized. Hispanics drug use is one of the highest amongst US population, due in part...
According to Kramer (2002), Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States; growing from fewer than 1 million in 1960 to 7.2 million in 1990. But despite this ongoing rapid progression, Asian Americans have the lowest rate of utilization of any professional mental health related services than the general United States population (Tung 2011). To increase the utilization of mental health services among the Asian American community, the most hindering barriers that exist preventing Asian Americans in general from seeking out these services must be identified and explored. In spite of the fact that Asian Americans are viewed as the “model minority”, with high academic achievements and few mental/behavioral problems, studies
...ming Explosion of Teenage Crime," Policy Review, Winter 1995, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 546-4400
Before I analyze how my social location has influenced my experiences, I need to talk about my family’s demographic characteristics in comparison to our community and the larger U.S. society: In my hometown, Asians make up the third largest racial group (23%). Whites make up 51.3% and H...
Lee, Peter . 2000. "The conception of depression in Chinese American college students." Cultural Diversity and Ethnic minority Psychology 6: 183-195.
Drug abuse has been a major issue in the United States. It has dated back to the 1800’s. Drug abuse has also been strongly influenced on our youth. Drug addiction has resulted from drug abuse. Drug addiction leads to an increase in crimes due to the cost of many drugs sold on the streets. Drug addiction is a disease which needs medical attention to overcome. There are different types of drugs that are classified in different categories, which will be discussed below. The United States is constantly fighting to control drug abuse. First, let’s talk about the history of drug abuse.