Week 2 - Miguel Flores A02

Many universities have been diversifying their student population by admitting international students from all over the world, but this "quota system" is using students as their weapon to put themselves at the forefront of ranks and diverse communities. The reality of it, diversity is a trait that many first-generation students are looking for. Universities get funding based on people, research, retention, and scores. There is indeed a discourse in Universities and their tactical method of luring in students who are able to "profit" them the most - in terms of money and research. A direct correlation why there is a preference for Asian Americans in post-secondary education roots back to the values and mentality pressed upon by Tiger Moms (or Parents). Beyond the disciplinary outlook and their primary "they-only-want-the-best" mantra by Tiger Moms, lies a correlation between students, their decisions, and the school's admission standards. A growing pressure among Asian American students to strive for high scores and submit stellar application feeds an aggressive competition between students. This also feeds institutions to raise their bars high and to admit students who exceed and has full potential. This toxic frenzy of "I need to go to a good school because my parents told me to do so" has varied effects on students themselves. Others understand the reasons of their parents, while some are left to struggle to fulfill their dreams and hopes of their parents. 

Asian American children are closely being disciplined by their parents through rigorous amounts of work load and various extracurricular activities. (Political cartoon provided by "shelly")

Many institutions are not acknowledging the fact that students, especially Asian Americans, have difficulty finding satisfaction in their education because they are often mentally and physically burdened by the standards given to them by their parents. This level of toxicity opens the issues within our educational system and the lack of support to students and their higher learning. It also highlights the toxicity within the method of parenting and advisements of their families. Add to that the government's inconsistent views on educational reforms and developing curricula in universities and colleges which take a toll on students who not only struggles from the expectation of their parents but also struggles to get most out of their learning. This poses a great challenge for institutions to consider and intervene in the welfare of their students; a movement that should go from typical personal counseling to college counseling. There should be more emphasis on that. 

Having said all of that, should institutions intervene on the parent's decision for their students? Should there be provisionary guidelines in handling intervention on a struggling student instead of simply dismissing or putting them on probation?


References

Lee, Jamie. January 2014. The Untold History of Modern US Education: The Founding Fathers. 

Poon, O.Y.. and Byrd, A. 2013. Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices. Journal of College Admissions.

Allred, N.C. January 2007. Asian Americans and Affirmative Action: From Yellow Peril to Model Minority and Back Again. Asian American Law Journal