ABSTRACT
The term “Asian American” refers to a broad swath of peoples with origins in Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Pacific Rim. As a signifier of identity, it is as meaningless as the term “European American.” It is useful for comparison with other americans, but it does not capture the vast differences among Asian Americans or the ways in which individuals describe themselves. Although Asian Americans are accustomed to filling in forms with the designation “Asian American,” virtually no Asian-American family socializes children into “Asian” customs and traditions-only into “Japanese,” “Chinese,” “Korean,” “Vietnamese,” “Filipino,” (Asian) “Indian,” et al., traditions.
