UCLA

Research indicates that parents' racial-ethnic identity and racial discrimination experiences influence their engagement in racial-ethnic socialization with their children. However, these associations are less explored in Asian American families with younger children, particularly those of South Asian descent. Internalization of the model minority myth may also affect racial-ethnic socialization in Asian American families, but its role is not well understood. This study examined the relationships between South Asian American parents’ racial-ethnic identity, racial discrimination experiences, endorsement of the model minority myth, and racial-ethnic socialization practices. South Asian American parents (N = 119; Mage = 37.89, SD = 5.58) with children aged 6-12 years completed an online survey. Path analyses revealed that parents’ racial-ethnic identity and endorsement of the model minority myth were positively associated with cultural socialization, while their discrimination experiences and beliefs in Asian Americans' unrestricted mobility were positively associated with racial socialization. These results suggest that internalization of the model minority myth may promote cultural maintenance by reinforcing ‘positive’ Asian stereotypes and that South Asian American parents might be balancing the need to prepare their children for racism with minimizing the role of race in determining future success.