Running Head: The Analysis of Asian Women

The Analysis of Asian American Women in Society

Tamesha Green
3110 Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice
Wayne State University

The Analysis of Asian Women

Asian American Women issues seem to always be suppressed by the media.

Being of another ethnicity that faces its own set of diversity, it was not
difficult to see the parallel between our ethnicity groups. Asian Women face
as much diversity as African American women do. In the 1800s female
infanticide, oppression, slavery and death plagued this group, which
prompted their migration to the United States. An abundance of the women
were either smuggled over, tricked into bondage, put into slavery and served
as prostitutes to pay off their imposing debts ( Shah, 1997). This then lead
to the misconception that all Asian women were prostitutes or mail order
brides. They faced their own distinct forms of racism, such as special
restrictions on sexual interaction with Asian Women passed by legislation. A
belief that Asian women carried a unique venereal disease and also had the
power to make a man become addicted to opium was developed out of
ignorance ( Shah, 1997). The racism that they endured should not hold any
lesser value than any other race that has suffered though the same injustice.
However, over the past 100 years Asian Women are viewed as more than
just prostitutes, below minimum wage employees and disposable infants.
Their importance within their own society has become more of a social issue
than in previous years. The Gender difference that is made within their own
society could help to explain where the mistreatment of Asian females is
derived. To gather a better understanding for what type of issues Asian
woman living in America have to endure, I will interview a previous
roommate of mine, named Annie Kue, who is classifies herself as Mong.

The Analysis of Asian Women

Interview with Annie Kue

The Mong race is a very cohesive group, who originated in China and later
migrated to Southeast Asia, as Annie explained to me. Refugees from the
Vietnam and the Laos U.S Secret war started to seek refuge in America
around 1975. The Mong served as allies to U.S. soldiers during that time.
They were described as being hospitable, close nit and self sufficient (Thao,
Yang, 2004). During a study abroad trip I had been paired with Annie as
roommates, an unlikely pair but I had the best time in Italy with her. Our first
encounter was a bit awkward, knowing that we would spend nearly a month
together; we soon become well acquainted with one another. I knew she
would be a perfect candidate for this interview. Even though we had obvious
differences, but we had more in common then what we first assumed. I knew
she would be the perfect candidate for this interview because of the
relationship we built over the years. Annie said that her race had suffered
prejudice from all nationalities including other Asian groups. From assuming
her family owned a beauty supply store, to a nail shops and she live in a
house with a dozen of other people. She has been called Japanese, Korean
and Thai, she expressed her disappointment with the stereotyping she
endured, and just wish that people would ask her what her nationality is. Her
family is extremely close and they live in a community with other people
from their culture. It is customary for both parents to be present in the home.
The male is expected to be the head of the family and he commands his
respect, while the mother is expected to act as the mediator between the

The Analysis of Asian Women

father and kids. It is with great joy that a boy is the first born to its parents,
because it is expected for him to carry on the family name. Annie said she
felt her family was a bit more Americanized. Her father was not as strict as
some of the other fathers, but she knows there are boundaries and
limitations to what she can do. Her dad allowed his four girls to pursue their
dreams in whatever respectable career they so chose. Going to college is a
must in her culture and its importance is stressed in early childhood. Respect
for self, family and authority is not a negotiable issue. Elders are held in the
highest regards and their wisdom is always respected and sought after, she
told me that before her grandmother passed away she would always ask her
advice on everything because she was so cool. At birth gender roles are
established, boys are taught to be a leader and never show weakness by
displaying emotions. Girls are taught to be submissive, quiet and passive.
They must honor their parents and any other elder including her brother.
Dating is allowed but only by the strict parameters her parents set and
premarital sex is a definite no. I asked her previously if she was a virgin, she
gave an answer but it was still not a clear yes or no, I asked again and got
the same non direct answer. Majority of young girls that presents with an
unplanned pregnancy will usually terminate it, or put the baby up for
adoption. The absence of the father is a rarity, in the instance the father is
not present the oldest son becomes responsible for taking care of the family.
If there is not an eldest son the fathers brother then steps in. This
assignment is a good insight into this groups cultural reality but the actual

The Analysis of Asian Women

reflection of the groups culture can only be fully grasped when you become
acquainted with them. They are very rich in traditions, morals and values.
The mere expressing of role assignment does not convey the true
importance this culture holds on such an issue. The assignment of gender
roles at such an early age, leads to boys feeling superior to girls. From an
early age their friendships and behavior are closely monitored, rebellious
American teenage behavior is not tolerated. This leads to the teenage
female being candid about her friendships, wear bouts and her sexuality.
Annie also told me that if she had a brother, he would be expected to
chastise her for her social interactions, behavior and acquaintances she
keeps. This is one of the reason Asian women feel as though they live a life
of oppression and subordination and they live a life continuously under
sexism within their own culture. This culture is not shy on transmitting their
cultural values, by celebrating their traditional holidays, straying away from
of the mainstream of American norms and mores. They hold stead fast in
their beliefs and how they raise their children. They are very proud in their
customs and traditions and they surround themselves with others who share
the same values. From the beginning Annie has been open to introducing me
to her culture; she has held on to her beliefs and has not strayed from them.
On night while walking around Rome, I spotted an adult entertainment store
and I was eager to go inside. She told me that her family would not approve
of her going into a place like that, and she would wait for me outside.
Impressed by her ability to resist temptation, far away from seeing eyes she

The Analysis of Asian Women

still chose to do what was morally correct. I did not go inside and leave her
alone; instead we went into a leather purse shop. This groups comparison
was very accurate to what I had researched about similar groups. Although
Annie was open about sharing in her culture, I felt as though she kept some
intimate or hard to understand topics closed for discussion. There are
implications for social work practice on the micro level with individual
counseling for young girls who may feel the burden of being oppressed
becomes too much too handle in their culture. In a society where expression
is everything, the Asian teenager is not allowed to be so vocal. This may
cause aggression, depression or an identity crisis. On the macro level, group
sessions could be carried out for Asian women to know that there is support
for them. They should not feel as though they are alone in feeling inferior to
their male counterparts. Domestic issues are handled behind closed doors
and a lot of times women will suffer though violence because it is expected
of them. A woman should never bring shame to her family and reporting
abuse to the police would be doing just that, in their eyes. Asian women are
taught to suppress a lot of their true being to satisfy the demands of their
culture, just as African American women were taught to do them same.

The Analysis of Asian Women

Conclusion
The Asian race is very strong on traditions, values and family life. They have
not always been understood throughout history but they have always made
a point to not be over looked. Sticking close to their traditions has kept their
women in an oppressed state, alienating them from the mainstream
American Womans values. These women have built resilience to social
issues those American women now read about in our history. They have
made leaps and bounds in overcoming inequality, but they still a ways to go
in not being considered a minority group, obliterating oppression and
reversing the roles that govern their culture. Asian women face just as must
stigmatism that African American women do, they just deal with their issues
differently.

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Refrences
Nguyen, L. (2002). Characteristics of the traditional Asian Family. Retrieved
March 10,2014 from www.coed.usf.edu/zalaquett/mcdp//Asian
%20handout
Thao, P., & Yang, C. (2004). The Mong and the Hmong. Mong Journal, 1, 2004.
Retrieved from
http://www.mong.ws/publications/Mong_and_Hmong_Article.pdf
Shah, S. (1997). Women and gender issues, the landscape of Asian America.
Asian Nation, Retrieved from http://www.asian-nation.org/gender.shtml
Kue, A (2014). Personal Interview. Done march 17, 2014

The Analysis of Asian Women