Parsing Asian Women 2/3 | Asian American Features

Asian American Identity

Parsing Asian Women

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Attitude toward Race: Espouse pride in Asian heritage but carefully avoid associating with Asians of lower socioeconomic status. Typically lack the cultural sophistication to make subtle socioeconomic distinctions among non-Asians, so are often receptive toward Whites from lower socioeconomic strata. Generally show little interest in persons of other minority groups unless they possess obvious social or cultural status.

Attitude toward Men: Mostly interested in Asian men with demonstrated wealth or status but some are receptive to white men with sufficient credentials to impress other tpac princesses or to provide entry into an acceptable stratum of American society. The majority, however, are as conservative about interracial relationships as their white American counterparts.

Estimated Share of Asian Single Adult Female Population in U.S.: 3%.

3. Middle Class Asian American Women

Origin: Born in the U.S. or immigrated before the age of 12.

Language: Native fluency in English with little or no Asian language ability.

Education: One or more degrees from first-, second- or third-tier colleges.

Socioeconomic Status: Parents are typically merchants, restaurateurs or low- or mid-level professionals. Aspire to careers in medicine, tech, sciences, finance, management or media but about half end up in clerical, support or service jobs.

Attitude toward Money: Having experienced financial insecurity, they put more emphasis on money and success than other middle-class Americans. Are deeply impressed by conventional measures of success like educational credentials, professional position, nice homes, prestige cars and name-brand clothing.

Attitude toward Race: In their youth they strive to be accepted as Americans but as they experience persistent racial biases in the adult world, they put more importance on their Asian identities, especially as they consider marriage and families.

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Attitude toward Men: Varies with the environment in which they grew up. Those raised in predominantly Asian areas seek out Asian men who show signs of success and shun those who lack ambition or credentials. Generally suspect non-Asian men of harboring stereotypical preconceptions about Asian women. They are especially scornful of non-Asian men who try to impress them with Asian phrases, cultural knowledge or exhibit other signs of being "Asiaphiles". Middle-class AA women who grew up in predominantly white areas often share the preferences of non-Asian counterparts, including even biases against Asian men. They are also less likely to focus on educational or professional credentials.

Estimated Share of Asian Single Adult Female Population in U.S.: 52%.

4. Lower Income Asian American Women

Origin: Born in the U.S. or immigrated before the age of 12.

Socioeconomic Status: Families arrived as laborers, refugees or illegal immigrants and never succeeded in climbing the socio-economic ladder. They grew up in ethnic enclaves or public housing. Most enter clerical, menial or service jobs, but a minority manages to achieve professional status.

Language: Native fluency in English with little or no Asian language ability.

Education: High school and some college.

Attitude toward Money: U.S.-born women in this class are more likely to share the biases of the lower-income Whites, Hispanics and Blacks they grew up with. Yet they often harbor strong racial biases against other minorities. They generally take cultural cues from mass media. Foreign-born low-income Asian women hold values carried over from their native lands. Both types are awed by money but have no frame of reference against which to measure success and wealth.

Attitude toward Race: Having little contact with successful Asian Americans, they tend to see Asians as occupying a low place in American society. They often look up to Whites as enjoying social, economic and cultural status. At the same time, they harbor a spurious sense of superiority toward members of other minority races. They often pay lip service to the idea of Asian pride due to peer pressure, but have little sincere interest in Asian culture. They often suffer feelings of disadvantage, oppression and even inferiority stemming from their marginal places in American society. PAGE 3