Why asian are smart

Second, it is racist. There are videos on YouTube with several million views asking that question. Research shows considerable variation in mathematical performance among different Asian ethnic groups in the U.

A better explanation has to do with education policy and federal immigration laws. Countries that invest in teacher education and high-quality curriculum do better on international tests. In the U. That policy affected my own parents, who were able to immigrate to the U. From the late 19th century, a new image of Asian people was born: national threat. Chinese immigrants were seen as an economic threat to white American workers, and Japan became a military threat during World War II.

Asian people in the U. It can also be a source of pressure for Asian students. The main character, Peter, is reminiscing about taking a math exam. As the shot pans over other students, each take out a calculator from their pocket. In other words, they are dehumanized. Calculators are capable of only procedural tasks, not creativity. Are Asians slow to pick up on the importance of being likable and friendly, engaging in small talk with co-workers, and keeping up with sports?

Do they lack basic social skills? Do they feel fearful or disloyal about seeking raises and promotions? The New York magazine article goes on at length about the extent of Asian failure to rise, and various sociological and psychological speculations about what the problems might be.

My own explanation of the phenomenon described is based on the reality that Asian-Americans are disproportionately immigrants, or grow up in immigrant families, and so naturally reflect and incorporate immigrant values and culture. From the late 19th century to the middle of the 20th, Asians were prohibited from immigrating to the United States. The Chinese Exclusion Act was not repealed until , and the exclusion of other Asian nationalities was not repealed until years later.

The ethnic quota system then allowed only tiny numbers of Asian immigrants proportional to their percentage of the existing U. The ethnic quota system was not replaced with a less discriminatory immigration limitation until If you ask most Asian-Americans when their families came to the U.

They will master the art of being friendly and likable, of networking and making small talk, of keeping up with and at least feigning interest in sports, and lobbying and asking for promotions and raises. They will also adopt the eating habits of other Americans, and will struggle with the same weight and health problems as other Americans.

And eventually their performance on standardized tests will move closer to the national average, too. What does that mean for South Jersey? Energy Secretary Granholm, visiting Philly, touts infrastructure bill and expected job creation.

President Biden called former Delaware Gov. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.