The stereotype of the model minority identity shapes the educational path of many Asian Americans in a school system that expects nothing less. Are Asian American students more successful than other students? Though Asian American students might be the model minority in terms of educational success, I argue that the stereotype can be especially damaging. According to education scholars, who both tackled the idea of the myth of Asian American student success and its ramifications, Asian American students indeed do relatively well compared to other students. However, research suggests that this myth of Asian American success hurts Asian Americans who aren’t succeeding and fall behind the pack. Why is this the case and what are the effects of this identity when it comes to higher education and the college admissions process?
Because the idea of the model minority identity is a myth, we must dive deeper into why this identity was established, how it became so prevalent, and why it dominates our education system. Some believe that the myth Asian American success was created to invalidate the voices of Asian Americans when they protested the inequalities that they faced. Sources for my research will include empirical data on how Asian American students rank compared to their counterparts, as well as the number of Asian American students who are struggling to live up to this ideal. Other sources will include research done by scholars who have spent years looking into the notion of Asian American success as a myth and it’s damaging effects.
