CHALLENGES OF ASIAN AMERICAN TEENS
(Updated to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

What is the biggest problem faced by Asian American teens?
Pressure from parents to excel academically | 79%
Identity conflicts related to growing up a minority | 19%
Problems related to dating & sex | 2%
Gang influence, pressure & violence | 0%

What of these is the most common mistake made by Asian parents?
Not spending enough time with their kids | 18%
Pushing kids too hard for good grades | 34%
Being too strict in controlling kids' behavior | 45%
Neglecting the kids' social or cultural development | 3%

What factor contributes most to helping Asian teens grow up to be productive, well-adjusted adults?
Stable home environment | 93%
Cultural bias favoring academic success | 3%
Advantages provided by above-average affluence | 4%
Being an Asian American myself, I had to deal with racism in my high school years. I still believe you should look ahead beyond high school.

After high school, you are going to enter a world where jobs are scarce and competition is fierce. Keep striving to be your best. Use your financial power in adulthood to make your point. Don't tip bad (racist) waiters/waiteresses, and sue any business or corporation that gives you inferior service because of your race (like how so many blacks have to do). In college, take away the good grades and good jobs from your classmates who once insulted you, and fail those lazy losers who are nothing (the ones who made fun of you to handle their own insecurities). Use your voting power at the ballot box. Encourage school or company money be spent on diversity programs, especially for Asians, at your school and workplace. You know how sensitive of an issue money is, and racists get ticked off seeing their money/tax dollars/pay check share spent on racial sensitivity programs. :)

B. Lee    Tuesday, February 26, 2002 at 04:56:47 (PST)
hey kids,

I just don't understand where this myth that asians are weak and submissive coming from? am I living in a different world? i keep reading about it on the net but the reality is Asians are just as brutal when comes to fighting....just recently 2 white guys lost some fingers after been attack by a gang of asians.. outside a nightclub in my area ..
i mean...nobody once dare call any of the asians a chink or gook when i was in HS ..so my advice is move to L.A..if u are asian
L.A chinatown    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 21:47:09 (PST)
Fight-ON and AC Dropout:

If a black person wants to use ethnic slurs against another minority then to hell with them. That's bullshit. In that respect, they should not be surprised to hear ethnic slurs directed against them.

Just for the record, Fight-On, you couldn't pay me enough money to harm an Asian or any human being unless they initiate physical violence against me.

As far as Phoenix Tears and other Asian kids who are mistreated by young blacks, you need to let them know that they cannot treat you with disrespect and get away with it. If you're on a bus and confronted by thugs, either ignore them or notify proper authorities. The situation could get ugly or even deadly. If you're at work or school, first confront them and educate them give, then give them a chance to apologize or else...

If you're at home or at a social gathering, then just let them know that what they're saying is unacceptable. You have to let them know to not disregard Asian feelings, sensibilities.

Historically, Asians have been mistreated, disrespected by African-Americans; African-Americans have been dismissed and treated rudely by Asians. Unfortunately, in general, that's the way it is. I'm glad to see the few exceptions play out. They are, however, exceptions. I cannot tell you the number of times I've tried to befriend Asians only to be told that we, apparently, don't have enough in common, intellectually, to associate with each other. I've had many Asians disrespect me in public and right in front of white people and then smile about it. Sadly, there's not much that can be done about it. So I've pretty much given up on making Asian friends. Socially, it's a real bitch.

Fight-On and AC Dropout, you guys are misstaking the use of the "N" word by young black guys. Those kids don't under the meaning of the word. The "N" word has been captured by young Asians (primarily filipinos) and white kids because they hear it from black kids. That's unfortunate. I'm a young guy, but I read about the Civil Rights Movement.

I suggest anyone who wants to use the "N" word freely thoroughly study the dark chapters of American Civil Rights and Jim Crow laws. That's why I believe it's the most despicable word in the English language. It has a very systemic, psychologic, symbolic, overt racist meaning to it.

I've had white friends who try to use the word with me, but I will not and cannot allow it. It's just too offensive to me.
Geoff DB geoffdb02@aol.com    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 21:46:20 (PST)
All you guys out there seem to think that weight lifting will solve the problem. It depends a lot on your genetics. This does not work for everybody, or even most.

See guys, growing up is supposed to be fun and having a good time. Its not about bitter and painful memories. If you get into fights you may also get injured. And say you get though high school with all this crap... what have you learnt.. that there are some bad guys out there !!
See my point : Its not worth it.

So if the going at school becomes too rough, you might want to stay and learn your stuff at home. (like homeschooling) Or you may goback to China and come back later. That way you get to have a good time all through.
keviv    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 21:13:45 (PST)
TM20

i hate to burst your bubble but you have obviously been given alot of false confidence when it comes to fighting, maybe you should watch a bit of Ultimate Fighting Championship videos, then youll see that knowing martial arts may be good when it comes to competition fighting but is nothing when it comes down to real life. Dont get too cocky with your taekwando (which is so crap anyway) or wingchung, because you aint superman or bruce lee in his movies just because you know a martial art.
mazn    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 18:56:03 (PST)
to phoenix tears

so your a girl eh? well the best thing to do in this situation is go up to the guy, say look i dont want to fight anymore and quickly knee or kick him in the balls, not too hard so you kill him or push his balls into his stomach but just enough to drop him to his knees or more. DONT BE SCARED, YOU ARE A GIRL the one thing a guy wont do is hit a girl, unless hes a total phsyco, but it dosent sound like that he just sounds like one of those jock social type guys. And if he does slap you or watever just take it, because when people see that he hit a girl the tables will dramatically be turned and he will be seen as a girl basher, wuss, pussy watever. cease the moment.
mazn    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 18:52:10 (PST)
to fight back take your father's great big bertha driver and smash their face in with it and if that does'nt work stuff some titleist pro v-1's down their throat.
scratch golfer    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 16:00:37 (PST)
A lot of you have so many good points and I'm so glad that you have such open persepectives. =)

What I don't understand is when someone asks you where you come from (or your parents), and if you answer "Chinese," they'll make fun of you later if they decide to hate you. However, if you answer another race, like "Filipino" or "Korean," they don't seem to use the "C" word as much often.

There was an incident once when some 6th graders were making fun of different cultures: African-American, Hispanics, and Asians...all except their own. And when they came to Asians, they joked about how Asians are short and have small eyes; they also slanted their eyes to demonstrate. The kids did not realize I sat behind them, and when they saw me, they were silent. I looked them right in the eye and asked if my eyes were like that, and if I was short. They said no. With the most calming voice I can use, I asked them to stop stereotype different races and cultures. Because frankly, those two girls weren't that pretty neither.

*Fight On,

I thought your earlier comment was a little harsh, but after reading your last loonnngggg one, I changed my mind...it was quite inspiring. I think marrying a non-Asian spouse is not considered as dissing Asians; but if you forget your culture and not teach your children what is part of you, THAT is dissing your ancestry. I know I will NEVER do that. Who says girls think Caucasion guys are the hottest? There are as many "hot" guys as there are the ugly ones. That's just because they're the majority. I have seen "hot" guys of all races.


Although I'm a girl, getting stronger physically is definitely one of the things I need to improve. But joining a class or gym is impossible, because I have so much pressure on not only academics, but music lessons, orchestra, and after school activities everyday. But I will do my best during this summer. =o)

Just for information, "Phoenix*Tears" stands for a phoenix's tears. As you all know, phoenix is a mythical creature in Chinese, Greek, and Egyptian legends. It has many extraordinary powers, but my favorite above all is its tears. The tears of a phoenix has the ability to heal...anything.

Phoenix*Tears    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 15:57:46 (PST)
Phoenix*Tears,

Now that we have confirmed you sex. And you described you political landscape in HS. It becomes easier to give some advice. Physical confrontation is not becoming a lady, although I once knew this beautiful korean gangster girl that would beat up black girls all the time.

Seems like you and this senior run in different circles. So you don't really have a problem.

Do any of your friends have friends in his circle. If you do perhaps you should influence you friends to find sympathizers in his circle, thus reducing the amount of support he has. This is so HS childish, but it can be fun.

For all you know this guy is making fun of you because he likes you.

Anyways you only have 4 more months of school left...
AC Dropout    Monday, February 25, 2002 at 10:55:25 (PST)

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