The promulgation of the "model minority" myth, that Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders are the most similar to European Americans, and, thus, are viewed as "models" for and/or "better than" other ethnic minority groups, has created many problems for Asian-Americans/Pacific Islanders.
The result has been:(a) a lack of attention to Asian-American/Pacific Islander issues in health research and clinical practice,(b) the creation of antagonisms with other minority groups who may view Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders as co-conspirators with European Americans, and (c) interference with the development of collaborative efforts and coalition building among racial/ethnic minority groups.
(Asian American Psychological Association)
(Asian Americans Are Still Caught in the Trap of the ‘Model Minority’ Stereotype. And It Creates Inequality for All)
One of the consequence of the model minority label is its failure to acknowledge socioeconomic and education disparities among the diverse range of communities categorized as Asian-American. Not all ethnic communities under the Asian-American umbrella are advantaged...Sweeping generalizations of Asian-Americans as the “privileged” and “successful” minority cannot replace unnerving disaggregated data that bring truth to the inequalities that many Asian-Americans face daily. (NY Times)
Impact for Health Care:
As an aggregate group, Asians in America appeared healthier than non-Hispanic whites, according to the study. But when researchers disaggregated the data, they uncovered a number of disparities.
(Study: Health Conditions, Outcomes, and Service Access Among Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Adults in California, 2011–2017)
(Contradicting the Myth of the Model Minority Through a Population Health Equity Approach)
Articles:
Susan Siokos, EdD, LCPC, BC-TMHTM, Personal Counselor
Chicago Campus: Office 6s31
Oak Brook Campus: Office 1314
Email: Susan.Siokos@oakpoint.edu
Number: (630) 537-9853
In-Person and TeleMental Health Counseling (via video or audio)
Implicit (subconscious) bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases, which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness or intentional control.
We have all been exposed to "the negative narratives about racial minorities that circulate in society—discourses that become the stuff of unconscious negative attitudes about racial groups. [Health care providers], like the rest of the American public, have implicit biases. They have views about racial minorities of which they are not consciously aware—views that lead them to make unintentional, and ultimately harmful, judgments about people of color." (Source)
When there’s a conflict between a person’s explicit and implicit attitudes—when people say they’re not prejudiced but give subtle signals that they are, for example—those on the receiving end may be left anxious and confused. Additionally, implicit bias against specifically the black / African American community leads to poorer care, less medicine prescribed, and large health disparities within this community. (Source)
Implicit bias in individual interactions can be addressed and countered if we become aware of our bias and take actions to redirect our responses. (Source)