The Impact of Anti-Asian Hatred on School-Aged Asian Children and Adolescents

Background/Purpose

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for school-aged children and adolescents worldwide. Asian American children and adolescents have been facing additional challenges due to the increased anti-Asian hatred during the pandemic. Prior studies showed that both direct and indirect exposure to hate incidents could lead to negative outcomes such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. Previous literature on anti-Asian hatred have primarily focused on adults. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of anti-Asian hatred on school-aged children and adolescents regarding their mental health, academic performance, and ethnic identity.

Methods:

This study employed a qualitative method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 parents and 12 adolescents via in-person meetings, Zoom, and phone calls. In the interviews, parents were asked to reflect on their children’s experiences with anti-Asian hatred, their responses, and the schools’ responses. Adolescent participants were asked about their direct and indirect experiences of anti-Asian hate and their perceptions of academic performance, relationships with peers and family, and their identity as Asian Americans since the onset of the pandemic.

Results:

While most parents reported being unaware of direct incidents of anti-Asian hate targeting their children, they expressed concerns about the rising incidents of anti-Asian hatred. Some even moved their families to areas with a greater Asian population in hopes of protecting their families. Several parents noted that the response from schools was limited and voiced a desire for greater school and community initiatives to raise public awareness and enhance the visibility of Asians.

Several adolescents reported direct experiences of anti-Asian hatred such as being called names, bullied online, disrespectful written messages and posts, as well as racist gestures. Half of the adolescents mentioned they were worried that hate incidents would happen to them and became more vigilant in public areas. While adolescents reported mixed results regarding ethnic identity, most participants stated that they became more aware of being Asian Americans due to the anti-Asian hatred. Half of the adolescents reported noticeable grade declines, and many shared that the pandemic negatively affected their relationships with peers. However, several adolescents noticed that their relationships with family were improved because they spent more time together with family members.

Additionally, several participants from both parent and adolescent interviews mentioned residing in predominantly Asian communities where they felt a sense of belonging and safety without experiencing feelings of difference or concern for their safety.

Conclusions and Implications:

These results underscored the potential mental toll of anti-Asian hatred on adolescents. However, living in a community with a large Asian population may serve as a protective factor and foster solidarity and advocacy among Asian children and adolescents. This study also highlighted the lack of awareness parents have about the discrimination their children may encounter at school. Maintaining open communication with parents about events and situations at school should be a priority. Furthermore, schools and communities need to raise awareness of anti-Asian hatred and implement protocols to address future incidents.