“I Can't Afford for You to Flunk”: Positive Asian Stereotypes and Supportive Communication for Asian College Students

Introduction

Life can be filled with unexpected twists and turns. Many people get by each day knowing that their friends and family will always be there to pick them up when they are down. Having social support available when one needs advice or someone to confide in is considered vital to one’s well-being. Asian Americans are no exception to needing social support from their social networks, despite the supposed superior qualities associated with their model minority status. The higher expectations of model minorities and potential stresses associated with model minority status emphasizes the importance of having a social environment conducive to seeking and providing social support.

To understand these social environments, the purpose of this chapter is to examine the relationship of family interactions with the endorsement of positive Asian stereotypes and how social support may be related to the ability of Asian college students to cope with their problems and stresses. We begin by reviewing the problems the model minority myth creates for Asian college students. Then we review supportive communication theory and Asian students’ supportive communication experiences. Finally, we present a study that examines the influence of Asian students’ endorsement of positive Asian stereotypes and their social environments on their ability to cope with problems and stresses.