Younger Asian Americans report more bias, seek less help, survey shows

Younger Asian Americans are more likely to report discrimination than their parents and grandparents, but are less likely to seek legal help or counseling, suggests a survey of Asian Americans conducted in metropolitan centers, including Los Angeles.

Some of the most devastating images to come out of the pandemic involved attacks on vulnerable Asian senior citizens — elevating awareness of Anti-Asian hate incidents to a national level. But a new report indicates that younger Asian generations may deal with discrimination more frequently and find ways to cope on their own.

Defining anti-Asian hate

The higher reported rates of discrimination may be because younger respondents have a broader definition and heightened awareness of anti-Asian hate incidents, said June Lim, who directs demographic research at Asian Americans Advancing Justice So-Cal, which partnered on the study with the Rand Corporation.

Many younger adults came of age during the surge in anti-Asian incidents during the pandemic, and may categorize verbal harassment and microaggressions as discriminatory, along with racial violence.

“The first generation doesn't necessarily think about [microaggressions] as an act of anti- Asian hate,” Lim said.

Not getting help

The study, which surveyed more than 800 Asian Americans in L.A. and New York, also found that younger targets of discrimination are seeking help at lower rates, be it through law enforcement or community organizations.

That finding emphasized to the report’s authors the need for community groups to improve outreach and build more awareness among the younger generations.

Lim noted that Asian American organizations tend to focus on those who are immigrant, lower-income and monolingual.

“What can community organizations do to stay connected with later generations of Asian Americans?” Lim said. “How do we continue to outreach to them so that we may be relevant and serve them too.”

How to get resources

Earlier this year Asian Americans Advancing Justice SoCal launched the Asian Resource Hub to make it easier for those dealing with anti-Asian racism to get help from organizations around the country.

Eighteen organizations are listed as resources in Southern California, most of them catering to specific ethnic communities.