Many difficulties encountered in adulthood are not the result of insufficient effort, insight, or self-discipline. Rather, they emerge from behavioral and emotional patterns established early in life that were once adaptive but were never revised. These patterns persist because the nervous system does not update
In 1966, sociologist William Petersen introduced the term model minority to describe Japanese Americans who, despite historical discrimination and internment during World War II, demonstrated notable socioeconomic achievement. Although the term appeared complimentary, it functioned primarily as a political narrative. It implied that success was
Let’s talk about something uncomfortable: the fetishization of Asian women. On the surface, it can look like a compliment – being called “exotic,” being told we’re “more attractive” than other women, being the “preference.” But if you scratch beneath that surface, you find a history
Have you ever started your day with a clear plan, only to find yourself scrambling to remember what you were supposed to do next? Or struggled to juggle multiple projects without feeling completely overwhelmed? If so, you might be experiencing challenges with executive functioning skills.
Being Asian American and autistic means navigating two communities that don’t always understand or acknowledge each other. It means existing in spaces where cultural expectations around achievement, family honor, and “saving face” can clash with the reality of neurodivergent experiences. For many autistic Asian Americans,
Read more on this topic in Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity, Chapter 9: “Embracing Our Intersectional Identities” (pages 193–230). In a world that often tries to simplify who we are, it can be difficult to embrace the full complexity of
As members of the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community, many of us have experienced moments that felt off – a comment, a joke, a question – that left us unsettled. But when we try to explain it, we’re often met with confusion or
When one generation has experienced major historical events such as war, genocide, slavery, colonization, systemic oppression or personal traumas such as migration, abuse, neglect, or poverty, its impacts can be felt in subsequent generations even if that generation has no direct experience of these events.
In the vibrant tapestry of Filipino culture, family ties are woven deeply into everyday life. For generations, Filipino families have upheld the value of – Yet, behind this seemingly idyllic portrayal lies a complex interplay of history, tradition, and immigration that shapes the lived experiences
Family gatherings seem to be synonymous with opportunities for relatives to ask invasive questions. Parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents all seem to have something to say about dating and being in a relationship (and getting married, and having kids, etc etc). But romantic relationships can
