Asian American Stereotypes Research Paper

Words: 906
Pages: 4

Minority groups across the United States face a wide range of expectations and stereotypes. For example, Asian American students face the model minority stereotype: the idea that Asian Americans “achieve academic success, [hold] middle-class values of hard work.and are economically successful above all other minority groups” (Wong 1994). Asian American students often internalize these expectations, and, because of this, do not seek out assistance in schools when they are struggling with a certain subject as they believe they should be able to succeed academically without others’ help. Latina girls also face pressuring expectations, as “many Latino parents go to great lengths to keep their daughters confined at home” to protect their sexual …show more content…
This newfound confidence and self-advocacy allows Asian American students to seek help from teachers and staff in schools, increasing their chances of academic success and demonstrating the effectiveness of community engagement. Asian American students are not the only examples of the effectiveness of community engagement in subverting expectations and creating academic/professional success. Latina girls exposed to street vending opportunities can vanquish gendered expectations and achieve success outside of the home. In “Living the Third Shift,” it is noted that Latino parents often expect their daughters to stay at home in order to protect their virginity, moral purity, and family sanctity. However, at times, Latino parents allow their daughters to engage with the community through street-vending opportunities. One Latina girl, Gloria, remarks how this street vending gave her a sense of freedom that she hadn’t experienced before as she spent most of her time “at home.and it would be …show more content…
Yet, the result is the same: Asian American students and Latina girls limit the diversity of their cultural community in an attempt to conform. However, street vending offers a unique opportunity for Latina girls to stay close to their families, yet also engage with the community around them through selling food. In a sense, street vending provides Latina girls with one of the few opportunities to engage with many different people outside the home and not feel tied to the family, evoking a sense of freedom. It is precisely this newfound independence that encourages Latina girls to explore the world beyond their home, such as in professional settings beyond street vending or the classroom. Essentially, Latina girls like Gloria are able to explore their full potential in academic and professional settings as a result of community engagement opportunities like street vending because of its freedom-evoking structure.