Exposing The 5 Myths On Asian Stereotypes
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You probably heard at least one or more Asian stereotypes, right? This also involves different stereotypes that feature any race and ethnicity involving their looks, culture, and background.
Let me give you some examples that I hear the most (and don't take offence to them): "all Asians eat dogs", "all black people like fried chicken" and "all white people are dumb". I mean, cmon it's the 21st century! People are still being racist until this day.
People like to stereotype races/ethnicity such as Asians, Blacks, Whites but I'm here to debunk the Asian stereotypes based on my own experiences growing up in the Asian household. I'm a full Vietnamese as both my parents are Vietnamese but I'm born in Australia.
In this post, I'll be debunking the few Asian stereotypes myths.
So grab your mug of coffee or tea and let's get right into it!
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The first Asian stereotypes that I get most often is...
Are all Asians smart?
No. Not ALL Asians are smart but a high majority of them are. I say this because I'm not smart myself nor is my family or my relatives. The average grades I received back in primary and secondary school was C's and B's and my ATAR score was low.
However, I know that my Asian friends and my old classmates excelled high in their grades at school. I think it all depends on how your parents raised you or your intelligence or the hard work you put into your studies (unlike me with ADHD).
Do Asian parents punish you with a broom (or any household items) when you were little?
Yes. Throughout my whole entire childhood, I would get into a brawl with my brother and every time we ended up fighting, my mum would threaten us to break it up and if we didn't, she would use the broom or the metal part of the feather duster to beat us on the back of our bottom. The same thing if we disobey our parents or get in any type of trouble.
Are Asian parents strict?
For me, mine was not as strict but still strict overall. So I say yes. My mum would always compare me with my brother or cousins (roll eyes). Mostly she would compare me with my cousin who is 1 year older than me.
Both my parents were overprotective of us during our childhood but as I'm older now, they're chill with pretty much anything. Sike! Did I say chill about "everything"? Because I know that whenever I go out, my mum still asks questions on who I go out with and if it's a boy I'm hanging out with. Which leads to a whole new conversation.
Are All Asians Chinese?
No, no, NO! If you're aware to not notice that not ALL Asians are all Chinese. There are groups of different Asians.
- East Asians are from Japan, China, Mongolia, Taiwan, North, and South Korea.
- Then there are South Asians who are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
- Southeast Asians are from Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, East Timor, and Brunei. I'm a Southeast Asian.
- Central Asians are from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyrstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
- Lastly, West Asians are from Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Yemen.
Well, now that you learned that there are more than just Chinese living in your area, please note that even though we might look the same, we're actually different.
Do Asian parents pressure their child to do high-paying jobs?
What I mean by "high-paying jobs" are the jobs like being a doctor, lawyer, engineer, dentist, university professor etc. For me, that is a no but I know a high majority of Asians who are pressured into these jobs by their parents. My parents are very supportive of me for doing a job that I want to do as long as I earn good money.
I wanted to become a psychologist, therapist or a counsellor so I decided to pursue the Psychology major. However, my mum wasn't really thrilled with that choice as she thinks that doing a business major will be better.
I could say that since there are lots of jobs that need a business bachelor but I feel like, I rather live a life working somewhere that I am happy and will earn a comfortable income than be unhappy working at a job with a high income. But now, she accepts it as long as I'm doing something with my life.
There are many reasons why Asian parents want you to work at a high paying job. It's to brag about their child, playing the "safe route", peer pressure from society, they don't want their child to suffer the same experience as their (parents') childhood or thinking that more money equals a better life.
Conclusion
Based on my experiences living in an Asian household, I could say that I am very lucky and grateful to have my parents.
A high majority of Asians I know lives in a very strict lifestyle based on their parent's expectations and all I could tell you is, not all Asians are the same or lived the same lifestyle as what these stereotypes say.
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~ Ellen
I really learned a lot about asian people. Great content.
This is such a well-thought topic. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!
Honestly, I was never even aware of the stereotypes. I knew they existed, but I didn’t care enough to find out what they were since it shouldn’t really matter.
It’s great that you don’t need to worry about stereotypes! It’s hard for me because as a child growing up, people around me kept throwing around stereotype jokes that it became offensive to me but also, I lived in a household that relates to these stereotypes. 🙂
What a witty way to share these myths! There are so many myths about different cultures that need to be discussed so that we as people can really see how many similarities we have overall.
I so agree! I was inspired to write this post from another blogger who wrote about her life living in an Indian family. It really is great to read other people’s experience that suffers from stereotyping.
I hope I don’t offend, but it’s so funny how cultures have some of the craziest stereotypes! I mean I get it, but if asked some of these I would be like “look it, Linda, use some common sense.”
LMAO! No, it’s definitely not an offense because I think the same too. Sometimes, I wonder if this was actually happening because legit, it really is crazy once you experience it or think about it.
It all depends on individual experiences. I know some Asians that don’t have such a high profile background, but it’s good for you reading about your family 🙂
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I agree and like you said, it is based on individual experiences! I am writing this based on my own personal experience and others who I know in person. I’m pretty much jealous of those who have parents that are really chill about everything. 😀
You just made my day buddy by posting about stereotypes
Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
My parents used to threaten us with broom stick but never really used them. They did pressure all of us to get a high-paying jobs and be successful!
Haha, my parents don’t that way too often back then but then at random times, they actually do it! Currently, my parents are pressuring me to graduate from uni and get a job.
I think many still stereotype unfortunately based on race, where people live, etc.
Same here, people still stereotype around here where I live.
I wouldn’t say that I stereotyped Asians, but I was well aware of the stereotypes. I know many that could benefit from reading this.
That’s great! In my personal opinion, I get really annoyed when people start making these “Asian jokes” thrown at me. We need more people like you!
Being an Asian I can say it’s true, lol… I have to be home on time from school if not I will get punished.:)
I’m literally the same during my childhood! If I go home like 1 min late, my things will be taken away from me.
Being an Asian I must say that’s true. Everyone has their own culture, tradition beliefs…
Glad you can agree and true!
I’m Vietnamese and was born in America and I’ve grown up dealing with some of these basic Asian stereotypes. Honestly, people with a narrow worldview base entire cultures on what they’ve heard and for them to really think outside that box they need to meet and interact with much more people to realize stereotypes aren’t always true
Exactly! I’m Vietnamese too but born in Australia. Yet we are suppose to be a “culturally accepted country” but still, we learn at a young age from media and our surroundings about stereotyping.
I do hope the act of stereotyping races die this generation. Our world has been plagued by this and it did not improve anything.
Same! Its been over 10 years and stereotyping still exist in our generation. It’s disappointing sadly.
Lol this is so true being Asian myself! Lots of my friends can differentiate now though!
Can relate with a few Asian friends!
It is true to remember that a lot about people is how they were raised, not always how we look.
It sounds like your parents are good ones 🙂
I 100% agree with your statement! No matter how we look, it depends on how we’re raised.
I had to learn about these stereotypes in college and was fortunate for that
I learned about these stereotypes back in high school. I’m probably gonna learn abit more when classes start soon.
I feel like I have learned so much about the Asian culture that I didn’t know before. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you learned something about the Asian culture!
My husband is Indian and unfortunately he fits pretty much every one of these sections. Interesting how cultures vary over continents but habits are pretty consistent.
It’s surprisingly interesting, isn’t it? I guess its like a type of trend from centuries.
Well this was an interesting post and I feel like I learned a lot about Asian culture I didn’t know before! I am glad you feel lucky to have your parents- that’s awesome!
I’m glad you learned a thing or two bout the asian culture! I guess I feel grateful for having chill parents haha.
This is an interesting insight into Asian culture. Thanks very much.
Thanks for reading!