The Myth of Asian American Success and Its Educational Ramifications.

Abstract

There is a widely shared belief that Asian Americans have overcome the bondage of racial discrimination to become a Successful model minority. In this essay, the empirical basis of this success contention is examined against its historical background and the remifiCaticns of the belief are explored. First,,the ascendaace of the., Asian American success theme in the late 1960s is traced. The lortrayalof Asian Americans as a hardworking, successful group is contrasted, to :'popular racist beliefs held about blaCks. Second, recent research on Asian' Americans is examined. It is argued that 'available evidence does not warrant the image:of this group's success because typical indicators of succesSesuch.as education and income, :.have. not ))een'Troperly adjusted for extraneous'factors. Finally, ,seVeralCcnseguences of the success myth are identified. It is.held that.: J1I-Asian AmeriCans, particularly the young people, resent the 4.4uccesscontention as a device of political exploitation: (2) a' pattern :Ofoccupational segregation for Asian Americans limits occupational aspiration and choices of Asian American youth: and. (3) Asian Americans-experience a sense ot lost identity.and attribute this feeling tc the pressures of assimilation and to their ancestors' concern for Survival. (Author/GC) Reproductions supplied-by. EDRS are the best that can be made. from the .original document.

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