Asian-Americans are generally stereotyped as successful, law-abiding, and high-achieving minorities. The success of many Asian-American students has created a new "model minority" stereotype. They have been described in popular and professional literature as "whiz kids," and as "problem free." Some claim that Asians are smarter than other groups.

Do you believe this to be true?

I think its true but i don't know why?

any ideas?

I vote for Imago!

I recall speaking with an asian woman from China. She stated that its about the culture of education. Its valued more, more time is put into studying, etc.



Remember Oprah had the same beef about American children as well. That's why her school is in South Africa.

Rhondab said:

so we need to adopt their culture then? right

IMO - Once again IMO - In asian countries, there is still value in education, there is still value in traditional values, there is still value in respect, there is still value in morales, etc. That's not to say that corrupt things do not happen elsewhere, and that's not to say that "good things" don't happen here in America, it's just that IMO America does not value these ideals as much as Asian countries do.

and all that while they only see half of what we see ...

all joking aside, I think all of the above is true.

Exhibit A...

http://prince.org/msg/100/256409

2the9s said:

First off, it's a stereotype.

Second, different demographics are saddled with different types of baggage and stereotypes ... some positive, some negative.

That said, you reap what you sow. American government and society has a tendency to invest in sectors other than education. We invest in prisons, Wii systems, McDonald's and Paris Hilton. Other societies -- not just Asian ones -- put a much stronger focus on education, which is why American kids trail so many other countries' students.

They're not smarter (I don't believe any group is smarter than any other group), but culturally they value hard work and they support each other, leading to success.

But "problem free?" Not by a long shot!

ThreadBare said:

ive never met a failing asian student

ThreadBare said:

Non-asian-alert!

NDRU said:

which makes them smarter...duh

mirrorbestfriend said:

that's cuz they are deported to the laogai

mirrorbestfriend said:

Most people fail because they don't see the value of studying.

mirrorbestfriend said:

Intelligence is measured in lots of different ways. I've known very smart people who never went to college & had bad jobs.

NDRU said:

translation...THEY NOT THAT SMART!

mirrorbestfriend said:

And I've known idiots who got straight A's

NDRU said:

NOT POSSIBLE

mirrorbestfriend said:

Even rats can learn to follow directions.

Somebody ban this already

2the9s said:

Get outta my family tree.

mirrorbestfriend said:

You'd be surprised how stupid everyone can be.

mirrorbestfriend said:

If it's possible for GW Bush to graduate from Harvard AND become President anything is possible.

Yet students all over the world try to get into American universities...

ThreadBare said:

I don't think that's true... perhaps for pre-university education... in the USA there are so many good universities... almost everyone has a chance for a good education... Even if you can't get into universitiy, there are great community colleges... so many options....

In countries like India and Japan... there just aren't enough universities... only the cream of the crop have a chance to go to univeristy even though many others have the capability...

Lack of schools => More pressure... Everyone studies harder because getting into university is harder... only the best get in. But that isn't because the country values education... almost seems like the opposite to me...

Personally I feel that the attitude in the east is... let's get the cream of the crop a good education and screw the rest... in the west it's let's get everyone to get a good education.
[Edited 12/28/07 17:06pm]

I cheated off of an asian kid during my government regents...I fuckin failed

mirrorbestfriend said:

Because it is harder to get into university in Asian countries... students need to work much harder because the spots are fewer... that value-system/culture is passed on to children...

DanceWme said:

he/she was probably adopted.

One4All4Ever said: