model minority

n. The term model minority refers to minority groups whose members are widely perceived to have better than average educational attainment and socioeconomic achievement in the society. The qualities often attributed to a model minority include studious, hardworking, and family oriented and having high career achievements. For example, in the United States, Asian Americans are labeled as a "model minority" because this group is perceived to be more successful than other minority groups in terms of scholastic achievements and family income. However, researchers have criticized the seemingly positive "model minority" stereotypes for their failure to recognize and acknowledge the wide disparity within the model minority and the social and psychological problems that the group faces in mainstream society. These stereotypes may also widen the perceived gap between a model minority and other disadvantaged minorities and create or reinforce the impression that the problems other disadvantaged minorities face result from these groups' internal dispositions.

- MMC, CYC