Archetypes of Asian American Teenager Identity
Embarking On Their Journey
Archetypes embody distinct characters embarking on unique journeys, serving as powerful instruments to illuminate human motivations and actions.Â
These journeys commence with transformative steps that reshape the ordinary world. They guide characters through challenges, foster meaningful relationships, endure hard-fought ordeals, and ultimately achieve triumphant success. These journeys are powerful tools for understanding human motives and actions.
This journey begins with transformative steps that reshape the ordinary world, guiding characters through challenges, forging relationships, enduring ordeals, and ultimately achieving triumph.
For many adolescents, their journey of self-discovery is just beginning. They stand on the threshold of new experiences, with some taking their first tentative steps while others boldly venture further. It’s crucial to recognize that most adolescents are in the formative stages of their unique quests, navigating challenges and discovering their own paths.Â
Below, you will find a list of 16 Asian American archetypes. We invite you to click on their photos to listen to their CIAB (Cultural Identity and Belonging) and join us in exploring the music analysis we’ve conducted. Your support and engagement are invaluable as we embark on this transformative journey together.
Archetypes - 16 Asian American Adolescent Life Journeys
As part of honoring our commitment to cultural humility and anti-oppressive practices in research, our team took great care in honoring the voices of all of our participants, and gained feedback each step of the way through collaboration with the Asian American community.
Special thanks to Elizabeth Anglin for all of her Archetype artwork!
This Chinese teenager uses K-pop to express their understanding of love. DJ effects are incorporated throughout the music to illustrate their desire to explore all facets of love, from infatuation and passion to the search for a partner who will accept them. However, this teen also wants their future lover to understand that they will not allow love to cause them pain, as they feel immune to suffering.
The Brave Magician
The teenager struggles with feeling distanced from their cultural roots while simultaneously trying to fit into American culture. This internal conflict has led to missing out on typical teenage experiences, such as forming close friendships and encountering first love. As the listener becomes more engaged in the teenager’s journey, they express the vulnerability of quietly exploring their sexual and gender identity. Filled with hope for a brighter future, the teen is inspired by the idea of rewriting their story, seeking a way to carve their path despite their challenges.
In a heartfelt effort to honor their cultural roots, this teenager navigates the complexities of belonging in American society. Through unique sound effects, they powerfully express their emotions surrounding loss while showcasing their remarkable resilience. Embracing life and joy, this teenager embodies hope and strength.
This teenager is grappling with a profound loneliness, feeling lost in an overwhelming world. Their heart aches for love and connection, yet they can’t shake the feeling that every relationship is a temporary moment lost. It’s natural to experience sorrow and loss when connections fade. This journey is filled with a longing for something more profound, a hope for a love that feels true and enduring, despite the shadows of impermanence that loom over their experiences.
This teenager’s journey unfolds like an old black-and-white movie, showcasing them as actors navigating through various musical decades while embracing their identity and seeking deeper meaning. They aspire to create a life and relationships as perfect as those seen on the big screen.
The inability to break free from family and past experiences makes the lone wolf feel trapped in a cage. They yearn for self-discovery, motivated by the hope of becoming stronger and more independent. In life’s journey, the teenager believes their future will still require a fight to free themselves entirely. However, they understand that this struggle will ultimately lead to personal growth and a better version of themselves.
The Obedient Daydreamer
This teenager embarks on a profoundly heartfelt journey, navigating the rugged terrain between their parents’ expectations and their own rich cultural identity. Amidst the turmoil of familial obligations, they often feel a deep, internal conflict, torn between the desire to honor their family’s wishes and the longing for the freedom to explore love without restrictions. This struggle is a poignant reflection of their quest for self-discovery, highlighting the importance of understanding who they are. Ultimately, they are faced with a significant choice: to bravely embrace their unique path and create a life that genuinely reflects their authentic self, or to adhere to the story others have written for them, knowing that this could mean sacrificing their dreams and desires.
Heartbreak and self-discovery resonate deeply in this teen’s CIAB. They bravely share how a past relationship still lingers in their life, illustrating the challenge of letting go of not only the person they once loved but also the moments and memories that shaped them. It’s understandable to feel caught between the past and the present, yearning for someone who will truly see, appreciate, and cherish them. This desire for connection and love reflects a universal longing, highlighting the teen’s struggle and courage as they navigate their path toward healing and growth.
No longer willing to blend into the background, this teen has transformed into a bold individual, courageously challenging the limitations of societal expectations and norms. Their vision of the future swirls with intensity and unpredictability, and they stand resolute, driven by an unwavering desire to defy the status quo. With a heart full of courage and a spirit ignited by passion, they embrace life wholeheartedly, seizing each moment with unapologetic authenticity.
In the gentle and reflective mind of a teenager, where dreams seamlessly intertwine with reality, a young heart experiences an overwhelming yearning for a love that hasn’t yet revealed itself. This tender, shadowy figure flits softly at the edges of their imagination, embodying hope and possibility. As they navigate the transition from the past to the future, the teen finds solace in daydreams, where their hopes take root. Embracing the anticipation of love destined to bloom, they invite us to share in the vibrant colors of hope, love, and longing that fill their heart.
A teenager who has enjoyed a “fairytale” childhood bravely decides to leave home and explore the complexities of the “real world.” However, they soon confront the harsh realities of life, feeling profoundly isolated and unwanted. It is difficult to hear how quickly their innocence is challenged. In their search for comfort amid the pain, the teen discovers a hidden sanctuary—a space where they can begin to heal. Accompanied by the soothing backdrop of heartfelt DJ effects, they courageously share their struggles. Their voice resonates with a deep yearning for connection and understanding. They long to express a love that is open, honest, and free from judgment, hoping to remind everyone they encounter that they are inherently worthy of love and compassion, no matter how difficult life may seem.
This teenager is experiencing the heavy weight of loneliness, and it’s clear that they are using a mix of haunting and dreamlike music to express the complexity of their feelings. It’s understandable to want to escape those painful emotions; that desire for relief is something many can relate to. However, they have a profound realization: to grow and truly transform into their best self, they must first confront and accept their past. This journey was incredibly challenging but also a brave and successful step towards healing and becoming who they are meant to be. Â
A Korean teenager uses rap music to channel his deep frustration with the toxic culture often surrounding young males. Torn between his disdain for this culture and the pressure to fit in with his peers, he navigates a challenging journey. Through DJ effects, he conveys the weight of his loneliness and depression, subtly revealing that things aren’t as perfect as they seem on the surface. He envisions a day when he can break free from those who hold him back and embrace a successful life.
An intense and unrelenting teen is willing to protect those they love while embracing their newfound identity. This teen repeats several quotes throughout the CIAB with the message”I’m not always going to be easy to love, but if you stick around, you’re in it for the long haul.” This teen is hardened yet easily wounded, and this warrior is confident they won’t be injured in battle ever again.
Heartbreak and self-discovery are central themes in this teen’s CIAB. The teen illustrates how a past lover still influences their life, showing difficulty in letting go of both the relationship and the past. A longing to find someone who will truly see, love, and cherish them is at the heart of the teen’s present and future.