Talking With Your Asian Child About Microaggressions

"Your child is managing tasks like engaging in academics, joining clubs, playing sports, enjoying hobbies, and making friends. However, their experience may be impacted by microaggressions, which are subtle ways that make them feel they don't belong. While you may be familiar with macroaggressions, which are overt intentional acts of aggression (i.e., racial slurs), microaggressions are comments and behaviors that may not intend harm and are often implicit but reinforce the feeling of being an outsider."

"As a parent who grew up in an Asian country, these comments might feel like "small things," or even compliments. But microaggressions have real-life consequences. Research has demonstrated microaggressions, and other forms of discrimination, are linked to depression, social alienation, and poor academic performance, as well as increased suicidal ideation. These findings are especially concerning, given that suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian youth."

Children experience schools, clubs, sports, hobbies, and friendships while facing microaggressions that subtly signal they do not belong. Microaggressions are often implicit comments and behaviors, distinct from overt macroaggressions, that can stereotype, other, or exoticize a child. Common examples include asking "Where are you really from?", assuming talent stereotypes, or mocking ethnic food. Repeated microaggressions accumulate like "death by a thousand paper cuts," contributing to depression, social alienation, poor academic performance, and increased suicidal ideation. Outcomes are particularly alarming for Asian youth, where suicide is a leading cause of death. Parents and caregivers have a vital role in recognizing, validating, and helping youth cope.

Read at Psychology Today