Parsing Asian Women 3/3 | Asian American Features

Asian American Identity

Parsing Asian Women

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Attitude toward Men: Often see Asian men as being economically and socially disadvantaged and frequently seek out relationships with men of other races who seem to offer better economic prospects. The foreign-born are impressed by men who have some Asian language ability or cultural knowledge. High percentage of outmarriage.

Estimated Share of Asian Single Adult Female Population in U.S.: 18%.

5. Low-Income Recent Immigrant Asian Women

Origin: Mostly born in the poorer Asian nations, immigrated in teens or later.

Socioeconomic Status: Parents are stuck in menial occupations due to inadequate English or lack of marketable skills. Grew up with poor living conditions, often lacking basic comforts. Many are forced to work at menial jobs from their teens to help support their families.

Language: Fluency in native Asian language with limited English.

Education: Junior high or high school. A small minority attend college.

Attitude toward Money: Earning a decent living is the overriding priority. Impressed by superficial signs of material success.

Attitude toward Race: Little ability to make social or cultural distinctions within the context of American society, consequently, have little or no consciousness of Asian American identity, merely of being recent immigrants and members of a minority race. Harbor racial attitudes imported from native lands. Tend to look up to Whites as enjoying economic and social advantages and see other minorities as being even more disadvantaged than themselves.

Attitude toward Men: Value men with solid jobs or other earmarks of economic stability. Shun men in the arts and other non-conventional occupations. Many see older white men with established careers as more desirable marriage partners than young immigrant Asian men.

Estimated Share of Asian Single Adult Female Population in U.S.: 15%.

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6. Asian Female Foreign Exchange Students

Origin: Born overseas and came to U.S. on student visas to attend college, then stay on.

Socioeconomic Status: Parents are middle-class in their homelands. Students come to the U.S. for higher education, often with an eye toward securing permanent visas through specialized skills or marriage. They hope ultimately to bring over parents, sibling and extended families.

Language: Fluency in native Asian language with limited to good but not fluent English.

Education: College and an advanced degree or two.

Attitude toward Money: Value economic security and status achieved in technology, science, finance, professions, academics or other education-intensive fields. Admire wealth but look down on those who flaunt wealth not acquired through direct personal effort.

Attitude toward Race: See race relations from a globalized perspective. See Asians as enjoying cultural advantages that promote education, discipline and long-term success. See Whites as enjoying social and economic advantages in America but see those as being counterbalanced by weak personal and family values.

Attitude toward Men: Preference for men with impressive credentials over those with strictly financial success. An aversion toward men who try to impress women by showing off wealth or status. Generally more interested in Asian men but open to non-Asian men who exhibit good character.

Estimated Share of Asian Single Adult Female Population in U.S.: 4%.