Shattering The Glass Ceiling And Overcoming Suicide - Amanda Reyna

            Suicide is the second leading cause to Asian Pacific American (APA) women's deaths from the ages of 15 to 24 according to (Department of Health and Human Services).   Why is their suicide rate so high? The fear of not being successful, pressure from parents to make grades, and the Model Minority stereotypes. High suicide rates awareness and breaking the glass ceiling are overwhelming for Asian American women to consider because it is a risk that clashes with Asian American notion of "not rocking the boat." 

            The fear of not being successful is a common feeling many Asian Americans feel. What if I miss the boat to success or fail?  It’s overwhelming to think about.  Things fellow class mates say also has an effect on Asian American women. Such as "there's too many Asians in this class they are going to make the curve to high" can have an impact on APA female students.  The truth is APA female students are often neglected because of the assumption that they do not need academic assistance or guidance. However, APA women are suffering the most in English language skills in education (APA Women in Higher Education 10). 

            In this YouTube video, Eliza Noh talks about how she lost her sister to suicide in 1990, and discusses the reasons why she may have committed suicide.  Noh states that her parents put much pressure on her sister with school and that they wanted her to become a doctor but her sister was having trouble making the grades.  Noh's father is from Korea, and her mother is from Vietnam thus having high expectations for their children to succeed in this country. These pressures can be overbearing for one individual to take in; the grass always appears greener on the other side.  However a child can only do so much, my father has always encouraged me to do the best I can and that’s really all one can do.  I don't understand the concept of Asian American parents pressuring their children to the point of suicide.

            Model minority stereotypes also have an impact on APA women.  "The stereotype implies that all APA's are achievers who have overcome racism through hard work, and  therefore do not suffer discrimination in education and employment (Article APA Women And Higher Education pg.9)."  However even though the academic attainment of APA's is real, even they have to deal with obstacles of an discomfort and little support in colleges and universities.  The stereotypes of Asian women being exotic came from the white American men who seem young Asian women as foreign, sexual belongings. Asian women are seen as passive, reserved, and submissive companions, and stay at home mothers who don’t talk back. Individuals assumes that because of Asian women's culture values they are house wives that stay home and care for their children, and do household chores, while the man works, and goes to school to achieve higher degrees. This is true in a sense however Asian women also have a mind of their own and goals they want to accomplish before starting a family.

 APA women often have a difficult time balancing out the pressure of cultural, educational, and job values.  Breaking the glass ceiling could be stressful as well.  For example if  APA women do a good job and succeed they have to approach the boss in regards to promotion.  The wheel that makes noise gets the oil when it comes to APA women moving up the ladder.  Slowly Asian American women are overcoming the glass ceiling, and high suicide rates, through counsel at Universities for depression, and the overwhelming pressure of families expectations.  APA women are coming up in society. Michelle Wie, a professional Korean golf player , Kim Ng, Vice President and assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers  are examples of women who have broken the glass ceiling, there's hope!