Model minority

For article about the stereotype, see Model minority myth.

The term model minority refers to a minority group, defined by factors such as ethnicity, race, or religion, whose members are perceived to be achieving a higher socioeconomic status in comparison to the overall population average. Consequently, these groups are often regarded as a role model or reference group for comparison to external groups (outgroups). This success is typically assessed through metrics including educational attainment, representation within managerial and professional occupations, household income, and various other socioeconomic indicators such as criminal activity and strong family and marital stability.[1] The prominent association of the model minority concept is with Asian Americans within the United States.[2] Additionally, analogous concepts of classism have been observed in numerous European countries, leading to the stereotyping of specific ethnic groups.[3][4]

The concept of the model minority has generated controversy due to its historical application to suggest that economic intervention by governments is unnecessary to address socioeconomic disparities among particular racial groups.[5] Primarily evident in the American context, this argument has been employed to draw contrasts between Asian Americans (particularly those of East and some South Asian origins) and Jewish Americans in comparison to African Americans and Indigenous peoples. Consequently, this perpetuates the propagation of a 'model minority myth', asserting that Asian and Jewish Americans are exemplary law-abiding and productive citizens or immigrants, while concurrently reinforcing the stereotype that Indigenous and African American communities are predisposed to criminal behavior and dependent on welfare.[6]

  1. ^ "Model Minority Stereotype". cmhc.utexas.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
  2. ^ Neil G. Ruiz; Sunny Shao; Sono Shah (2 August 2022). What it means to be Asian in America (Report). Pew Research Center. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wong2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Petersen, William (9 January 1966). "Success Story, Japanese-American Style" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  6. ^ Poon, OiYan; Squire, Dian; Kodama, Corinne; Byrd, Ajani; Chan, Jason; Manzano, Lester; Furr, Sara; Bishundat, Devita (June 2016). "A Critical Review of the Model Minority Myth in Selected Literature on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Higher Education". Review of Educational Research. 86 (2): 469–502. doi:10.3102/0034654315612205. S2CID 147147222.