VALUES
Asian people are known all over the world for their strong cultural values and intelligent minds. This continent has given birth to many famous scientists, celebrities and politicians. Although this continent does not boast of many developed countries, many developing countries within this continent are on the threshold of becoming developed. Asia as a continent was initially under the colonial rule for a very long time except for the countries of Japan or Russia. Many nations like India, China, Pakistan and Afghanistan have suffered the brunt of oppressive colonial rule by Europeans and Americans for a very long period of time.
1. Family and Education
Probably the most notable aspect of the modern “Asian Model Minority”stereotype is that of the academic overachiever. A number of Asian students have done conspicuously well in terms of test scores, gifted student programs, admissions to prestigious schools, academic awards, and in classical music. Though obviously not all Asians fit this pattern, this trend can be attributed primarily to the basic notion of the family, and the central role that education plays in the family.
Great importance is placed on child rearing, and education is a fundamental aspect of this. Asian parents are more likely to spend much more time with their children, and drive them harder, sometimes even at the expense of their personal time and ambitions of the parents themselves. Though Americans might consider Asian parents to be dominating, parents in turn are expected to give children all the support they can. While it would no be unusual for an American parent to hire a babysitter to watch the kids while they go out, or expect their children to put themselves through college lest the parents sacrifice their own stand of living, this is much less likely in an Asian family. Living in an extended family is not unusual, and filial piety, respect for parents is a very important principle.
Great importance is placed on child rearing, and education is a fundamental aspect of this. Asian parents are more likely to spend much more time with their children, and drive them harder, sometimes even at the expense of their personal time and ambitions of the parents themselves. Though Americans might consider Asian parents to be dominating, parents in turn are expected to give children all the support they can. While it would no be unusual for an American parent to hire a babysitter to watch the kids while they go out, or expect their children to put themselves through college lest the parents sacrifice their own stand of living, this is much less likely in an Asian family. Living in an extended family is not unusual, and filial piety, respect for parents is a very important principle.
2. Endurance and Sacrifice
Asians are often seen as a hardworking lot. This is certainly true of those striving to excel in education, and of the early immigrants who toiled under extreme conditions to make it in America. Much of the racism that was directed at Chinese laborers was because of their willingness to work so hard for so relatively little. The extent to which Asians are willing to endure and sacrifice has long fascinated the west, keeping alive the samurai, kamikazes, and the ninja among American Asian stereotypes though these particular traditions are hardly typical of Asians. Even the Japanese Americans of the famous 442nd in WWII were the most decorated unit of the war. All of this does get a bit old when people like Ronald Reagan speak about the “hard working Asians”, but this pattern does make one wonder.
3. Loss of Face, Shame and Honor
Losing face is one of the better known Asian concepts among Americans. Unlike individualistic cultures, shame and honor go far beyond the individual, and reflect directly upon ones’ family, nation, or other group, and so is taken very seriously. Maintaining good face is a kind of measurement of how well one has maintained faith to traditional values, and ones’ social standing among others. It serves as a strong control mechanism which reinforces all other Asian values.
Although in America, persons are expected to be open about themselves, even about things which may be potentially embarrassing, keeping face can cause many Asians to be much less open about themselves; possibly leaving an impression of inscrutability. The first Japanese immigrants generally did not maintain communication with their relatives in Japan because of a feeling of shame that they were not able to return in wealth as they had set out to do. Embarrassing episodes in family history are likely to be suppressed and not readily admitted. This also manifests itself in the reluctance of Asians to seek psychiatric services, since public knowledge of a psychiatric visit is perceived as admission of sickness.
Although in America, persons are expected to be open about themselves, even about things which may be potentially embarrassing, keeping face can cause many Asians to be much less open about themselves; possibly leaving an impression of inscrutability. The first Japanese immigrants generally did not maintain communication with their relatives in Japan because of a feeling of shame that they were not able to return in wealth as they had set out to do. Embarrassing episodes in family history are likely to be suppressed and not readily admitted. This also manifests itself in the reluctance of Asians to seek psychiatric services, since public knowledge of a psychiatric visit is perceived as admission of sickness.
4. Reserve Conformity and Harmony
Another aspect of the modern stereotype is that of the silent, unassertive Asian, uncomplaining, unemotional, docile and cooperative. With the American sexual typing modes, this may also lead to the perception of Asians as being less masculine, and more feminine since males are expected to be more aggressive and assertive than females, a particularly good example of crossed-values.
Since the well-being of the larger group is most important in Asian cultare, great importance is placed on maintaining harmony. The greatest virtue that can achieve is not greatness of one’s self, which is viewed as being selfish and self-centered, but of fulfilling his or her role in the whole of the family or group. The achievement of an individual may be seen as really the result of the effort of one’s family, or group.
In the name of conformity, one tries not to draw attention to oneself by showing off his talent, riches, or anger. Conflict is to be avoided. Society is viewed as an extended family whose relationships and obligations are to be preserved. Official position is honored, not personal stardom. Frugality is sometimes a manifestation of this as one lavishes money not on one’s self, but on children, or friends. Maintaining harmony also creates a bias against change and “rocking the boat”, as opposed to American values, which encourage change.
Since the well-being of the larger group is most important in Asian cultare, great importance is placed on maintaining harmony. The greatest virtue that can achieve is not greatness of one’s self, which is viewed as being selfish and self-centered, but of fulfilling his or her role in the whole of the family or group. The achievement of an individual may be seen as really the result of the effort of one’s family, or group.
In the name of conformity, one tries not to draw attention to oneself by showing off his talent, riches, or anger. Conflict is to be avoided. Society is viewed as an extended family whose relationships and obligations are to be preserved. Official position is honored, not personal stardom. Frugality is sometimes a manifestation of this as one lavishes money not on one’s self, but on children, or friends. Maintaining harmony also creates a bias against change and “rocking the boat”, as opposed to American values, which encourage change.
5. Benevolence and Obligation
In a culture that emphasizes consideration of others, benevolence and obligation must be present to reinforce relationships. Asian societies tend to be very hierarchical, in contrast to American culture, where in some cases it is not unusual to consider teacher and student, or even parent and child as equals. Asian hierarchical relationships involve a lot of obligation, and what might be viewed as dependence or domination. But a good deal of responsibility and benevolence is expected in return. While children might be obligated to follow their parent’s wishes very closely at the expense of their own independence, the parents are also expected to raise support, and educate them far in excess of what might be expected by American standards.
Similar relationships are expected between man and wife, employee and employer, and ruler and ruled. When measured against American values of equality and democracy, this may have resulted in the “diabolical” and “despotic” nature of some stereotypical Asian media characters as a distorted perception of the power given to those of position.
Similar relationships are expected between man and wife, employee and employer, and ruler and ruled. When measured against American values of equality and democracy, this may have resulted in the “diabolical” and “despotic” nature of some stereotypical Asian media characters as a distorted perception of the power given to those of position.