The "Model Minority" Myth

Because Asian Americans have made high educational and economic achievements, they have been often labeled the "model minority." However, upon closer examination, the model minority stereotype does not hold true for many Asian Americans. Most data do not disaggregate the many cultural groups included-so that meaningful analyses are not possible. In fact, for many subgroups of Asian Americans, the "model minority" is a myth. Consider this: In 1999, the median family income for Asians was $57,874 compared to $50,046 for all Americans. However, when the data for Asians is disaggregated, it becomes clear that not all Asians do well compared to other populations. The median family income was $46,929 for Vietnamese, $42,838 for Laotians, $35,434 for Cambodians, and only $32,224 for Hmong (Southeast Asia Resource Action Center 2004).

The model minority myth becomes even weaker when one considers that Asians often have extended families within one household, so total household income is inflated compared to other cultural groups. For Pacific Islanders, there is no model majority myth. Their socioeconomic status and health indictors are very poor.

Median Family Income Populations in 1999 (per 2000 census data)

(Southeast Asia Resource Action Center 2004)

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