This study focuses on reported parental verbal and physical abuse among Asian American high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. As in many immigrant groups, domestic violence is a taboo subject in Asian American households. Additional stressors during the pandemic, including anti-Asian rhetoric and violence, may have further aggravated parental abuse. In this project, data from the 2021 Adolescent Behavior and Experiences Survey (ABES) were analyzed, specifically self-reported verbal and physical abuse among Asian American students. Participants were asked, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, how often did a parent or other adult in your home swear at you, insult you, or put you down?” and “During the COVID-19 pandemic, how often did a parent or other adult in your home hit, beat, kick, or physically hurt you in any way?” Overall, female and male Asian American students reported similar rates of parental abuse. However, female students reported significantly higher rates of verbal abuse than male students. These findings support the literature about gendered cultural norms in Asian American communities and the disproportionate burden of emotional labor on women and girls. The finding that both male and female students reported similar rates of physical abuse may challenge some gender role expectations but may also indicate the greater acceptance of corporal punishment among these families.
Parental Abuse in Asian American Families during the COVID 19 Pandemic
Category
Student Abstract Submission