Anonymous
Post 05/25/2025 06:40     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Have him try a bunch of random hobbies and find one he's okay with.


Any suggestions?


Water polo.
Anonymous
Post 05/25/2025 06:37     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Have him try a bunch of random hobbies and find one he's okay with.


Any suggestions?


Playing bass or drums in a heavy metal garage band.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 23:54     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He’s playing soccer, not tennis, so that’s something?

-fellow Asian mom


That made me laugh! He actually did tennis last year but dropped because he liked soccer more.


NP who's Indian-American, this made me laugh too!

My DS is a little younger and also like this somewhat. Honestly so is his dad (and me) and it's what he's gravitated toward.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 21:41     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:Have him try a bunch of random hobbies and find one he's okay with.


What is wrong with the hobbies he has?
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 21:41     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
The best thing you can do is diversify the people you associate with. I lived in a “luxury” building at one time with a large Asian population. It was a high tech area with a lot of Asian workers here for a couple of years or long time.

They never talked to anyone non-Asian and traveled in groups. They never acknowledged your existence. Some of them were candid in their not wanting their children to make friends with white Americans. The kids weren’t introduced to anything but Asian things.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 21:31     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Asians are a minority on my kid's soccer team. There are a few but mostly Hispanic, black, and white kids.

I see all Asians in fencing, tennis, and volleyball so stay away from those if you want diversity in peers!
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 21:17     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's okay. Don't make him ashamed for who he is.


I’m not but I wonder if I am doing his a disservice not encouraging at least one thing that is a little different? Literally every activity we go to it’s only other Indian and Chinese boys. Very few girls and very few kids of other races.


Your child’s soccer team is only Indian and Chinese boys? And all the kids I know who do youth orchestra are white and some are girls.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 19:41     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:It’s like some cosmic joke. Of course I want to support his interests and his interests may change, but also wonder if I should encourage him in other activities while he is still young? He likes math, violin, chess, and plays soccer. He wants to take part in youth orchestra and do math and violin competitions. I feel a little weird that he is only pursuing stereotypical Asian things and I can’t say that it’s my doing because I actually do not enjoy string instruments, never participated in orchestra, and do not understand math or chess.


What is Asian?

The categorization of Asian Americans encompasses roughly 40 ethnicities and a vast range of economic statuses, religions, regions, and cultures. While it’s true that Asian Americans are the wealthiest minority group in the country, they also have the widest income gap of any racial group. Myanmarese Americans, for example, have a far higher poverty rate than other Asian groups, particularly Japanese Americans. A huge reason for this divide is due to the disparity between Asian immigrants who arrived in the US with skill-based visas and those who arrived as refugees.

The model minority stereotype really isn’t meant to define Asian Americans. Rather, it’s meant to define African Americans as deficient and inferior to white people by using Asian Americans as a proxy or a pawn to serve that purpose,” Kurashige told Vox. “It was never an accurate portrayal of Asian Americans, but actually consciously meant to distort and stereotype Asian Americans.

https://www.vox.com/22321234/black-asian-american-tensions-solidarity-history?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 18:43     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
FWIW, Carnegie Mellon gives out full scholarship to bagpipers.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 18:33     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
There's some truth in stereptypes. But don't be a self hating Asian. Embrace it
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 18:29     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's okay. Don't make him ashamed for who he is.


I’m not but I wonder if I am doing his a disservice not encouraging at least one thing that is a little different? Literally every activity we go to it’s only other Indian and Chinese boys. Very few girls and very few kids of other races.


NP. What would the “disservice” be?
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 18:23     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Is this a frigging humblebrag?!
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 18:01     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It would be strategic to choose a less saturated instrument. For viola and french horn, orchestras roll out the red carpet.


I know, I’m not thrilled and actually encouraged him to try piano (for musical education) or viola (way less saturated), but no go. He seems like the spotlight.



He's a lot less likely to get the spotlight on violin. Way too much competition around here. What about cello? Pretty popular, but not like violin.



I agree violin, and piano, are pretty much the worst instrument choices around here. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. He's so young. Soccer is good, far from Asian dominated.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 17:48     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It would be strategic to choose a less saturated instrument. For viola and french horn, orchestras roll out the red carpet.


I know, I’m not thrilled and actually encouraged him to try piano (for musical education) or viola (way less saturated), but no go. He seems like the spotlight.



He's a lot less likely to get the spotlight on violin. Way too much competition around here. What about cello? Pretty popular, but not like violin.
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 17:47     Subject: My Asian third grader fits right into Asian stereotypes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Have him try a bunch of random hobbies and find one he's okay with.


Any suggestions?


Ultimate frisbee, pole dancing, felting, spoons playing, LARPing, D&D, furry....