Without a doubt, Asian Americans, regardless of gender, are viewed as studious, hard-working and quiet people.  According to the “model minority” myth, Asians immigrated to the United States, quickly settled down, and quietly worked their way up in status.  Supposedly, their good “Confucius” homes raised children to work hard in school to ultimately get a well-paying job.

This picture demonstrates the common depiction of a Chinese Mathematician  who "Started It."  With an abacus in hand, this picture continues to play of the stereotype of the Asian who excels  in math and sciences.

There is a common belief that Asian American students excel in math and sciences, however fail in liberal arts subjects due to their supposed disinclination to speak up.  Asian men are further seen as robots, asexual beings that work incessantly.           These images stem from the history of male Chinese immigrants working long hours in constructing the Trans-Continental Railroad.  Asian immigrant workers were also widely used on farms and in mines because of their efficiency and willingness under horrible working conditions.  Long hours and cheap labor were characteristic of Asian laborers, and seen as signs of diligence and hard work.  Thus non-Asian laborers developed a sense of bitterness towards these “job-stealing” immigrant laborers.