Assessing the Status of Asian Americans Using Census Data

In this exercise, you will use U.S. Census data to gather information about all Asian Americans and an Asian American group of your own choosing. This project adds to the information you gathered for the Internet Research Projects in Chapters 6 to 8. You already have information for the total population, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans. Now, you will add information for all Asian Americans and the group you selected. You will then use course concepts to assess and analyze this information and place it in the context of this text.

1. Go to the official U.S. Census Bureau website at www.census.gov

2. Click “Data” from the list of options at the top of the home page and then click “Data Tools and Apps” 

3. Click “The American Fact Finder” – the top selection in the list on the page that opens

4. On the next page,

   • Click “Advanced Search”

   • Click “Show Me All”

5. On the next page, in the box in the middle of the page,

   • Click the button next to “Race/Ethnicity”

   • Type Asian American in the box under “race, ancestry, or tribe.” As you type, some suggested group names will appear.  Click on “Asian alone or in combination with one or more other races”

   • Click “Go”

6. The next screen will list a number of datasets. Look in the right-hand column and find the data set called 2012 ACS 3-year estimates. Click on “Selected Population Profile in the United States” for this data set

7. The Population Profile for Asian Americans will appear. Scroll down the table until you get to “Educational Attainment,” “Employment Status,” “Income in the Past 12 Months,” “Poverty Rates for Families and People …,” and “Housing Tenure.” Add the information to the table.  Data for the “Total Population” have already been entered.

   • NEW VARIABLE: Note that a new variable (Average household size) has been added. This information is under “Households by Type,” one of the first categories in the table. For your convenience, scores for the total population, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans have been added. These scores are from the 2012 3-year estimates Population Profile.

   • ADDING YOUR OWN VARIABLE: As you review the Population Profile, look for an additional variable that might add to your understanding of Asian Americans and other minority groups. Avoid variables that have been used in Chapter 9. Note the score for Asian Americans and, if you wish, find scores for the total population, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans.

8. When you have entered all data, use your browser’s “Back” button to return to the previous screen.

9. Find the “Your Selections” box in the upper left of the screen and click the “x” next to “Asian … .” You will be returned to selection screen

10. The button next to “race/ancestry” should still be checked. If not, click on it to re-select it.

11. Type the name of your specific Asian American group in the box and in the table below. See Table 9.1 for a list of groups or select your own. As you type the group name, some suggested group names may appear. If you are given a choice, select “Alone or in combination … “   (If you choose Indian Americans, be sure to type “Asian Indians” as the group name)

12. Click “Go” and repeat steps 6 and 7 for this group[1]

NOTE: THESE VARIABLES ARE SIMILAR BUT NOT IDENTICAL TO THOSE USED IN THE CHAPTER

Questions for Research Discussion

1. What stage of Gordon’s model of assimilation (see Exhibit 2.1) do the variables in the table measure?

2. Using the Blauner hypothesis (see Chapter 4), we can say that both American Indians and African Americans are “colonized or conquered” minority groups and that Hispanic Americans are a mixture of colonized and immigrant origin groups. Are Asian Americans more “colonized” or more “immigrant”? What would the Blauner hypothesis predict about the relative status of these groups in American society? Does the evidence in the table support the prediction? How?

3. What important differences do you see between Asian Americans and other groups? What important differences do you see between the Asian American sub-group and other groups? What are some possible reasons for these differences? For example, are the differences related to the timing of the group’s immigration? What “human capital” factors might help account for the differences?

Optional Group Discussion: Bring the information on your groups to class and compare with the information collected by others. Consider the issues raised in the questions above and in the chapter and develop some ideas about why the groups are where they are relative to one another and to the total population.