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From Exotic to Invisible: Asian American Womens' Experiences of Discrimination

Cover of Asian American Journal of Psychology (small) What image first comes to heed when you think virtually Asian American women? You may imagine a woman who is docile and subservient; one who is sensual or erotic ("The Geisha"); the manipulative and untrustworthy "Dragon Lady"; or the hardworking, conscientious worker bee.

Largely, Asian American women are idea of every bit faceless, quiet and invisible, or equally sexual objects. In addition to the myth of the "Model Minority" and the "Forever Greenhorn," these depictions and others have persisted in the media and pop civilization.

What are the current experiences of discrimination in terms of racism and sexism for Asian American women?

Shruti Mukkamala and Karen Suyemoto set out to answer this question in a research study recently published in Asian American Journal of Psychology .

The report sought to provide prove that, reverse to pop belief, Asian American women face discrimination in their lives, both professionally and personally. The researchers hope that their work might lead to a better understanding of the effects of discrimination on the lives of Asian American women in the U.Due south.

Venn diagram showing intersection of racism as Asian American and sexism as women

The enquiry included both online open up-concluded surveys likewise as in person group interviews with adult women who self-identified every bit Asian American. Participants were asked near their experiences with bigotry.

Out of the 107 participants in the study, merely 4 said they had never experienced bigotry. The researchers identified 15 types of discrimination, half dozen of which were specific to how race and gender interact in discrimination toward Asian American women in particular.

A cursory explanation of these vi themes provides a glimpse into the participants' experiences:

Exotic — Experiences related to being exoticized and objectified. These are historically related to the stereotypes of Asian women equally exotic "Geisha girls" who possess a special sexuality.
Not a leader — Experiences where participants are seen as incapable of being or becoming leaders. Related to the stereotype of the decorated "worker bee" who can work every bit office of a squad, but is incapable of leading due to stereotypes of Asian women as repose and defective leadership qualities. This experience is besides shared with women of other racial groups who are frequently non considered leaders.
Submissive — Experiences where participants are considered submissive/passive/quiet, expected to be agreeable, non speak upwardly or stand up for themselves. Related to stereotypes of Asian women as deferential and controllable.
Cute and small — Expectations put on the participants well-nigh how they should or should not expect.
Invisible — Experiences related to participants feeling similar they or their group was ignored in some fashion, or lacked voice, agency or power.
Service worker — Assumptions that the participant works at a low-level gendered job, such as being a maid or working in a nail salon, which are stereotypically associated with Asian American women.

Other types of discrimination included

beingness considered a spokesperson for all Asians
being mistakenly identified as someone from another Asian ethnicity
thought to be foreign or international
existence considered smart and naturally successful
stereotyping every bit bad drivers
other people'southward negativity most cultural behavior and practices

These item experiences are non gender-specific and are experienced by Asian Americans in general.

The results showed that stereotypes of Asian American women are live and well in the electric current social context of America. These stereotypes contribute to experiences of marginalization, invisibility, and oppression that these participants take faced in the past and proceed to confront today.

These results support other inquiry findings that Asian American women face up both subtle and blatant discrimination in their personal relationships and their professional lives, from bosses, professors, colleagues, subordinates, partners, family, and friends.

The authors hope that those who interact with Asian American women become more aware of ways in which they may be contributing to discriminating against this group and creating professional person and personal barriers. They promise to make these often invisible experiences visible, so that nosotros may empower Asian American women and prevent discrimination against this group.

Citation

Mukkamala, Southward., & Suyemoto, K. L. (2018). Racialized sexism/sexualized racism: A multimethod study of intersectional experiences of bigotry for Asian American women. Asian American Periodical of Psychology, ix(1), 32–46. http://dx.doi.org/ten.1037/aap0000104

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Notation: This article is in the Social Psychology & Social Processes topic expanse. View more articles in the Social Psychology & Social Processes topic expanse.

Almost the Authors

Shruti Mukkamala is a senior staff psychologist at the University of California, Irvine. Her research interests include understanding the experiences and mental wellness impacts of intersectional discrimination and developing culturally sensitive means to cope with and resist discrimination. Dr. Mukkamala provides mental health services to a diverse educatee body at the University, and is interested in helping women of colour, immigrant, and international students attain their academic and life goals.

Karen L. Suyemoto is a professor in psychology and Asian American studies and managing director of the Transnational Cultural and Customs Studies Plan at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her teaching and research focus on understanding the effects of race and racism on mental health and identity; examining experiences and effects of advocacy and resistance against racism; and exploring how cultural responsiveness and racial social justice tin can be developed through and integrated into education, training, research, and psychological exercise.

To acquire more than nearly Dr. Suyemoto and her work, visit her website.