Years ago, an NY Magazine article, titled "Paper Tigers", by Korean American journalist Wesley Yang caught my attention. His thought-provoking question was what happens to the Asian overachievers when the test taking ends? Are they paper tigers if they are only brilliant test takers? And where are these tigers or hidden dragons after college if they are real?
Today, when we cheer for the equally overachieving, as well as equally deserving, individuals (e.g. ivie/s/m admits), the question is still as relevant as two years ago when Yang's article was first published.
My question to you, as a parent, is what may have prevented some of these overachievers from being leaders, successful entrepreneurs, best selling authors, star professors, and prominent CEOs? Judging from the dearth of succuessful Asian Americans, what you think is the main reason? Culture (e.g. risk averse)? Glass ceiling? Persionality (e.g. extrovert vs. introvert)? Discrimination/Asian stereotype (e.g. quiet and hardworking)? What do you think?
What happens to all the Asian-American overachievers when the test-taking ends?
By Wesley Yang
Published May 8, 2011
