Asian American Stereotypes

            There are many stereotypes that follow Asian Americans around in their daily life. So, where did these stereotypes originate? What are their benefits? What are their negative consequences? First, let’s look at different stereotypes for both men and women.

            Stereotypes for Asian American men and women differ. First, lets view Asian American male stereotypes. Asian American men are often feminized, or seen as the effeminate-sinister-Fu Manchu. Men can also be viewed as gangsters, or the amazing Kung Fu master.

Asian American women are stereotyped oppositely. Women are seen as the sexual-scheming-dangerous Dragon Lady. Or Asian American women are seen as the delicate-submissive China Doll. Often Asian American women are hyper-sexualized.

           These stereotypes have historical roots in society. For men, these stereotypes date back to the Chinese Exclusion Law and the anti-miscegenation laws. Chinese were brought to work on railroads, however their wives and families were left back in China. This made Chinese women scarce in the United States. The men were prevented from associating with other races of women due to anti-miscegenation laws. The few amount of jobs available made it so Asian American men took “feminine” jobs, like laundromats, made them appear more feminine to outsiders. For women, due to large numbers of army bases near their areas, often worked as prostitutes leading to their hyper-sexualization. When the United States made contact between themselves and Asia, it was military and these were the only experiences they had. Due to this, the stereotype was created and has not left.

           What are the consequences of these stereotypes? For Asian American men, they are less likely to be married. This is due to the fact that broader society views them as feminine. This causes them to also view themselves as effeminate. For Asian American women, they are easily objectified. The women are seen as sex objects and often fetishized. Both Asian American men and women are detached from their social roots. They do not want to surround themselves with other Asians because they also feel the racism against them.  Also, for both sexes their self-esteem is lowered. This is due to the fact that they internalize the racism against themselves. The race and gendered stereotypes against Asian Americans has seriously negative consequences. Due to the views of others imposed on them, suicide rates are high, as well as isolation. Asian identity is seen as very alien and highly stigmatized. This causes Asians to buy into stereotypes of other Asians and themselves. They are embarrassed by those less Americanized.

              I can relate to the stereotypes put on Asian Americans, particularly women. As a young blonde I am expected to be dumb, submissive, and also attractive. I have lived with this stereotype all of my life. I was always intelligent. Started in elementary school I took gate classes, and was often in classes above my grade level. When my parents bragged about me to their friends, no one believed them. I was only supposed to be a pretty face. When I graduated High School with a 4.4 GPA, with honors, and over twenty college units completed, still no one believed I could be intelligent. Also, I often go out in sweats with "messy" hair. I am always stopped by other individuals telling me I'm not supposed to look like that, because I am a Barbie Doll. Being called a Barbie Doll is the most offensive term for me. I get incredibly offended and no one can understand why. I am a person, and want to be seen as me and not a Barbie Doll. Like a China Doll, Barbie Dolls are not real people but instead social constructions of what women are supposed to act and look like.