A cultural studies analysis of the over-sexualization of Asian women in Hollywood

Shenzhen College International School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 100010, China

^* Corresponding author: wyoyo@126.com

Abstract

Stereotypes of Asian women have long persisted, portraying them as submissive, docile and over-sexualized individuals. These traits often remain overlooked, despite the fact that as human beings they are rich in unique personalities. Passive racism perpetuates these harmful generalizations, leading to the devaluation of the Asian race as a whole. This study aims to draw attention to this critical issue and to explore alternative perspectives that challenge traditional images of Asian women. To achieve this goal, ten films were analysed in depth to determine whether contemporary media representations continue to reinforce passive, docile images of Asian women. The results of the study show that despite some progress, the worrying trend of over-objectification and societal neglect of Asian women persists. This study delves into the psychology of society’s overemphasis on perpetuating stereotypes and the resulting impact on Asian women’s self-perceptions and social roles. In addition, this study emphasizes the historical roots of prejudice and misogyny that continue to influence Western society’s perception of Asian women.