Life experiences of AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders) individuals are often quite unique as compared to individuals from other cultural backgrounds. There tends to be a strong emphasis on practical aspects of life, such as getting good grades and getting into a top school, establishing a good and respectable career (e.g., doctors, lawyers, engineers, professors, etc), and finding a “compatible“ life partner based on socioeconomic status. Discussions of individual feelings and emotions are often non-existent in the family. Conversations about personal interests or social and fun aspects of things may be perceived as “unimportant.“
AAPI individuals may be “successful” by societal standards, yet they may find themselves unhappy or dissatisfied with their lives. They may find themselves replicating their parents’ unhealthy interaction pattern in their own romantic relationships. They may be struggling to connect with their parents and find it overwhelming to interact with them. They may eventually lose touch with their own feelings and innermost desires due to longtime efforts to meet expectations from their parents and their cultural context.
Therapists at Vivid World Psychology understand how AAPI identity intersects with our family and romantic relationships, academic performance, and career expectations. We can help you navigate the implications of this identity with confidence.
See our blog posts for helpful information on this topic: