Are you a stereotype?

[aridice]

“I guess my parents were disappointed that I didn’t go premed.  I mean, I’m sorry-I guess I’m different from those obedient little Asian girls who serve tea.”

A suicidal college student ranted this off to the resident while I was in the room as a co-interviewer.  The student was also Asian, so I don’t think she really meant for this statement

Comments

[sildra]

That's ok, I'm a stereotype, too. Daughter of two scientists, and I go into... an even math-y-er science. I also act the part, most of the time.

[aridice]

yes--i certainly do "act the part" as well. :)

[ravenjewel]

This is a really interesting topic to me, though I obviously have different experiences. I became a teacher after ranting for years that I wouldn't become one. I remember telling someone "Just because I like English and I'm a girl doesn't mean I'll be a teacher!" And even though I entered education because I believe strongly in social justice, I sometimes wonder if society influenced my subconscious into thinking that this stereotypically feminine profession was good for me because of my gender.. I don't know. It's complicated. I'm glad to see other people sharing my struggles, though!

[aridice]

yeah, it can definitely be pretty annoying to have these expectations, because then you're sort of between a rock and a hard place... I mean, if you somehow didn't go into teaching, you might always wonder, "well, did I reject it because I wanted to snub societal expectations?" I guess the best we could do is just choose something that'll likely to be fulfilling/make us happy, and then just make the best of it!

[pekkiou]

that's a really interesting point.. I've always wondered how much my parents influenced me re: my career choice, and I would have to admit quite a bit.. but I think mostly because my mother was really sick growing up and no one else seemed to be able to help her.. I guess, I don't feel like I was pressured into choosing something I didn't want to do or forced to follow a stereotypical "Asian" role. but maybe subconsciously.. i don't know.

Goody-two-shoes or not, in the end, I think I did what I did in pursuit of my own happiness and not my parents, although, of course, the two are intertwined..

[aridice]

Yeah--i totally agree that the two "happinesses" are often inseparable--and that often, it works both ways. I mean... I can imagine that one of the biggest reasons why parents want financially secure careers for their children is because they believe that the security would make their kids happier in the long run. If parents realize and trust that what ultimately makes their kids happy might be different from that secure job, they are that much more likely to support their kids in whatever they choose to do.