Asian American Women Essay
Dr. Eliza Noh from the California State University-Fullerton has spent much of her professional life studying depression and suicide among Asian-American women. She was inspired to do so and was triggered by her sister’s suicide incident in 1990. In one of her findings, she mentioned about the culturalist biases in psychology. This explained the tendency to expound on Asian-American psychology in culturalist terms (Confucianism and Acculturation model,) static and the dualistic portrayals of Asian American culture vs western culture (Traditional vs.
Modern. )
She also explained the roles of race and gender issues that were experienced by many Asian American women. This included the role of orientalism and the stereotype of the “perpetual foreigner,†including the racial and gender dynamics in perpetuating cultural hegemonies, and the impact of racism and sexism. As described in the presentation, Asian Americans are often expected to be smart in math and science. Other educational expectations are also set because of their race and ethnicities.
