EARNING THE MODEL-MINORITY IMAGE - DIVERSE STRATEGIES OF ECONOMIC ADAPTATION BY ASIAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

Using the 1980 US Population Census data, this article documents the diverse strategies of economic adaptation adopted by a group of working-age immigrant women: Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Indian and Vietnamese. A comparable sample of non-Hispanic white women serves as the reference group. Striking heterogeneity in the individual and collective resources of these groups, together with differences in labour market opportunities and historical context of immigration, have led to a variety of patterns of labour force participation and methods of income attainment. In order to move beyond the oversimplified image of Asian-Americans as a model minority in their economic success, the article applies four different theories to the census data - assimilation, dual economy, ethnic-enclave economy and middleman minority. The article closes with a discussion of theoretical implications and methodological suggestions for future studies concerning labour force position and economic adaptation of minority and immigrant women.