Tiger Moms and Nerdy Asians
When characters are depicted in the media to portray harmful stereotypes, the stereotypes become more popularized and real people feel the ramifications. In this essay, I will discuss how negative stereotypes of Asian-Americans are demonstrated through media and the effects it has on society as a whole as well as Asian-American individuals.
Firstly, Asian-Americans have to deal with unfair stereotypes in their daily lives pertaining to their lifestyles at home. Because of their strict parenting style, Asian-American mothers tend to be thought of as “Tiger Moms.”
Firstly, Asian-Americans have to deal with unfair stereotypes in their daily lives pertaining to their lifestyles at home. Because of their strict parenting style, Asian-American mothers tend to be thought of as “Tiger Moms.”
“Tiger Moms” have a negative connotation and are thought to be overly strict, controlling, and severe (Wang 2023). An example of a tiger mom parenting style can be seen in the popular show, Gilmore Girls. In this television series, Mrs. Kim, the main character’s best friend’s mother, constantly is shown being overly strict with her daughter.
https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/gilmore-girls-emily-kuroda-analyzes-lane-mrs-kims-complex-relationship/
Her daughter is then forced to lead a life with secrets in an attempt to express herself outside of her mothers view (Kalra 2023). Even though most Asian-American mothers do not agree with this parenting style and instead cover a wide variety of beliefs and strategies, however, “‘tiger moms’ has become the go-to phrase for Americans when referring to traditional [Asian] parenting styles” (Wang 2023). The phrase “tiger mom” has been met with a lot of backlash because the harshness is commonly thought to foster true unhappiness in children and become the root of many mental health issues (Wang 2023). Because of the pervasiveness of the tiger mom stereotype in the minds of Americans, Asian-American parents are therefore judged in society. The notion of “tiger moms” and “tiger parenting” is one of the main stereotypes that affects Asian-Americans, creating harmful prejudice.
Her daughter is then forced to lead a life with secrets in an attempt to express herself outside of her mothers view (Kalra 2023). Even though most Asian-American mothers do not agree with this parenting style and instead cover a wide variety of beliefs and strategies, however, “‘tiger moms’ has become the go-to phrase for Americans when referring to traditional [Asian] parenting styles” (Wang 2023). The phrase “tiger mom” has been met with a lot of backlash because the harshness is commonly thought to foster true unhappiness in children and become the root of many mental health issues (Wang 2023). Because of the pervasiveness of the tiger mom stereotype in the minds of Americans, Asian-American parents are therefore judged in society. The notion of “tiger moms” and “tiger parenting” is one of the main stereotypes that affects Asian-Americans, creating harmful prejudice.
The severeness involved in “tiger moms” correlates with the notion that Chinese-American children and students are extremely nerdy and smart. This idea of hyperintelligence was not always the case. For example, while 51% of Chinese immigrants are college educated, only 4% of China is college educated (Fish 2017). Because American society sees and acknowledges the 51% as opposed to the 4%, society tends to stereotype Chinese-Americans as “nerdy,” when that is not necessarily the case. Negative stereotypes of nerds can be seen in popular media today, especially when it comes to the subject of mathematics. A prominent example of this stereotype is Peter Griffin in the television series “Family Guy.” When Peter is shown in a math class, he looks around to make sure no one is watching before pulling out an Asian male student and jabbing him with his pencil, saying “do math” (Family Guy - (S5xE3) Do Math).
The notion of the nerdy Asian student can be dangerous as Asians struggle to live up to this unrealistic expectation set by society. This harmful portrayal in the media causes the notion to be spread to wider audiences and become a more common stereotype.
These two stereotypes affect the way Asian-Americans are treated in society. Asian students, especially males, are often thought of as nerds and perceived as smart know-it-alls. They are more likely to be the teacher’s pet and assumed to know academic subjects. As for parenting, people often think of Asians, especially mothers, as overly strict and forcing their child to excel academically and focus on their studies. It is assumed that all Asian moms are tiger moms and therefore other children hesitate to become friends with Asian children. Racial stereotypes are magnified by the portrayal of certain racial characters in media and this shapes the treatment of different racial individuals in society.
To read more about racial stereotypes, specifically as it manifests for Asian-Americans, click here.
Sources:
Kalra, Riya. “‘Gilmore Girls’ Shouldn’t Be Your Comfort Show.” The Wellesley News, 4 October 2023, http://thewellesleynews.com/2023/10/04/gilmore-girls-shouldnt-be-your-comfort-show/.
Richards, Jennifer. “Portrayals of Asians in Film and Television.” Ithica College Library, https://libguides.ithaca.edu/asianfilm. Accessed 17 October 2023.
Wang, Scarlett. “The ‘Tiger Mom’: Stereotypes of Chinese Parenting in the United States.” NYU Applied Psychology Opus, https://wp.nyu.edu/steinhardt-appsych_opus/the-tiger-mom-stereotypes-of-chinese-parenting-in-the-united-states/. Accessed 17 October 2023.
Wang, Scarlett. “The ‘Tiger Mom’: Stereotypes of Chinese Parenting in the United States.” NYU Applied Psychology Opus, https://wp.nyu.edu/steinhardt-appsych_opus/the-tiger-mom-stereotypes-of-chinese-parenting-in-the-united-states/. Accessed 17 October 2023.
“Family Guy - (S5xE3) Do Math” YouTube, uploaded by @dontmindmycontroller9147, 02 March 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FJgcocQ7ng.
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