South Asians in the United States

Acknowledgments
Introduction

Chapter 1: The History of South Asians in the United States
Shreya Bhandari

Chapter 2: Intersectionality and South Asians in the United States
Shreya Bhandari

Chapter 3: Domestic Violence against Women in the South Asian Community
Shreya Bhandari

Chapter 4: South Asian Mothers in the United States
Stacey Priya Raj, Mukul Khandelwal, and Vaishali V. Raval

Chapter 5: Intersectional Perspectives on the Mental Health of South Asians in the United States
Uma Chandrika Millner, Sameena Azhar, and Vaidehi Jokhakar

Chapter 6: Navigating the Intersections: LGBTQ South Asians in the United States
Gita R. Mehrotra

Chapter 7: Issues Affecting South Asian Older Adults
Nidhi Khosla

Chapter 8: South Asian Immigrant Women in the Workplace: Barriers, Challenges, and Opportunities
Abha Rai, Vithya Murugan, and Leena Rijhwani

Conclusion

Index
About the Editor
About the Contributing Authors

Shreya Bhandari, PhD, LISW, is professor and director of social work, Purdue University Northwest (PNW), in Hammond, Indiana. She is also a licensed clinical social worker with her own private practice. Dr. Bhandari’s research focuses on violence against women, specifically domestic violence. She has worked in the area of domestic violence and mental health for about two decades as a researcher, educator, and practitioner.

Dr. Bhandari earned her MSW from Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India, and her PhD in social work from University of Missouri. Prior to joining PNW, she was professor of social work and MASW director at Wright State University, where she played a pivotal role in achieving accreditation for an independent MASW program. She teaches across the social work curriculum both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Her current research interests include coping strategies and patterns of abuse among rural pregnant women in the United States, including women of South Asian heritage, as well as women in India. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and presented her research in various national and international conferences. Her work has appeared in Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Health Care for Women International, and International Social Work. Dr. Bhandari’s research has been funded through the National Science Foundation.

Sameena Azhar, PhD, LCSW, MPH, is assistant professor at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the states of California and Illinois. Dr. Azhar’s research focuses on gender, HIV, sex work, and addiction with a particular focus on South Asia. Her research has been funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/Council on Social Work Education’s Minority Fellowship Program, the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (Urdu) through the U.S. Department of Education, Ford Foundation, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Vaidehi Jokhakar, MSW, MPH, is a healthcare social worker currently working in cardiology/heart failure. She completed her Master of Public Health degree from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and MSW degree from Fordham University. Her previous direct service experience has been focused on aging and geriatric healthcare in South Asian populations. Ms. Jokhakar is particularly interested in reducing gaps in mental and physical healthcare in underserved populations.

Mukul Khandelwal, MA, is a doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at Xavier University. His research experiences and interests can be categorized into two main themes: help-seeking attitudes and cultural competency, specifically among South Asian groups. He envisions himself working as a health psychologist within an integrated-care setting, providing holistic care to underserved populations.

Nidhi Khosla, PhD, MPH, PGDRM, is associate professor of public health at California State University, East Bay. She has a unique training in behavioral, organizational, and epidemiological research methods as well as field experience in management of health programs and working with communities using participatory, rights-based empowerment approaches. Her research concerns access to care among vulnerable populations and reduction in health disparities. Dr. Khosla received her PhD in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and her MPH degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Gita R. Mehrotra, PhD, MSW, is currently associate professor in the School of Social Work at Portland State University. Before entering higher education, she was involved with anti–domestic violence work for more than a decade in a variety of capacities with a focus on Asian and South Asian communities and LGBTQ communities of color. Her current research and teaching interests include safety, identities, and wellness of women and LGBTQ people of color; race and racial justice within social work education; domestic violence in minoritized communities; intersectional theorizing and practice; and critical and feminist theories and methodologies for social work.

Uma Chandrika Millner, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor in the Division of Psychology and Applied Therapies at Lesley University. Her research focuses on the vocational development, empowerment, and community integration of diverse individuals living with serious mental health conditions. Dr. Millner has extensive clinical experience working in hospital and community-based mental health settings. She has also served as a collaborator, trainer, and consultant with several local, national, and international organizations and agencies.

Vithya Murugan, PhD, MSW, is assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, Missouri. She has been a social worker for more than a decade. Her work is dedicated to the study and promotion of women’s health via the elimination of health disparities, including gender-based violence.

Abha Rai, PhD, MSW, is assistant professor at the School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago (SSW-LUC). She is also the Associate Director at the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Accompaniment at SSW-LUC. Her area of primary research interest relates to culturally responsive ways of engaging with immigrant communities. Specifically, she focuses on the issues of well-being, domestic violence, and the impact of immigration policies on immigrant communities. By utilizing a community-centered research approach, she aims to further social justice while serving communities she engages with.

Stacey Priya Raj, PhD, is clinical psychologist and associate professor at the School of Psychology, Xavier University, in Ohio. She is from Malaysia and is passionate about clinical work and research related to culture, parenting, and pediatric populations.

Vaishali V. Raval, PhD, is professor of psychology and an affiliate of global and intercultural studies at Miami University in Ohio. Her program of research, teaching, and service contributions focuses on mental health in historically underrepresented populations locally and globally with a particular focus on communities within South Asia and on South Asian Americans.

Leena Rijhwani, BS, is a medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. Her research focuses on addressing the social determinants of health within inpatient settings. Before medical school, she worked with Sakhi for South Asian Women, a New York City–based safe haven for intimate partner violence survivors. Ms. Rijhwani is passionate about cultural competence in healthcare delivery and working with South Asian populations in the United States.

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South Asians in the United States is a must-read for helping professionals and social workers. It is painfully obvious from the book that existing literature has not sought to understand in any meaningful way the lives and experiences of this population. Bhandari has undertaken adeptly and intentionally the arduous task of filling this gap in the literature by profiling a people who are at once diverse, complex, and whose population in the United States continues to grow. Among the reasons the book makes such a profound contribution to our understanding of South Asians are (a) the inclusion of emerging scholars as authors giving voice and context to what it means to be a South Asian in the United States, especially in the post-Trump era, (b) the use of a case study approach to shed light and share evidence-based research on various social issues impacting South Asians in America, and (c) the adoption of an intersectionality lens to bring into sharper focus the historic and contemporary dimensions of South Asian identity and well-being in America.

Altaf Husain, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor
School of Social Work
Howard University
Washington, DC

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South Asians in the United States: A Guide for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals offers an extensive glimpse into the myriad realities confronting the South Asian community. Using an intersectional approach, the authors delineate the complex realities of demographics, geography, and social structure that unite as well as differentiate South Asian immigrants in the United States. For those professionals seeking to work in more culturally affirming ways to address the many unmet needs in this community, this is the anthology.

Sujata Warrier, PhD
Chief Strategy Officer
Battered Women’s Justice Project
Minneapolis, MN

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The South Asians are no longer a neophyte community in the United States. Yet, the general view of this population is still sketchy at best and stereotyped at worst. In South Asians in the United States: A Guide for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals, Shreya Bhandari challenges the popular notion that the community is monolithic and a “model minority,” and offers an intersectional and complex perspective on the community. The strength of an edited book is the wide range of topics it can cover, and this book is no exception. It provides evidence-based information on varied sociocultural as well as structural issues that are currently affecting the community, such as gender-based violence, mental health, aging, child-rearing practices, women and work, same-sex relationships, as well as racism and inadequate healthcare. Importantly, a brief history of South Asian migration to the United States anchors the chapters. The book is written with social workers, clinical practitioners, and other helping professionals in mind, and thus each chapter includes a case study, its intersectional analysis, and intervention options. South Asians in the United States is sure to enhance the knowledge base and skill level of practitioners and others who are interested in engaging with this diverse and politically emerging powerful community.

Shamita Das Dasgupta, PhD
Cofounder, Manavi
New Brunswick, NJ
Editor, A Patchwork Shawl: Chronicles of South Asian Women in America
Editor, Body Evidence: Intimate Violence against South Asian Women in America

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This is a well-researched and timely book edited by Shreya Bhandari that documents the diverse lives of South Asians in the United States. The book debunks the “model minority” myth and delineates their challenges and privileges using case studies about parenting, mental health, domestic violence, aging, employment, and sexual orientation. From these case studies, which animate this book, the reader gets a glimpse of the social problems that South Asians face, the context in which they seek help, and insights into evidence-based strategies to address these problems. To effectively serve people of South Asian origin, the book directs helping professionals to understand their subcultures and power hierarchies that intersect and result in their vulnerabilities and privileges. While this book is a great read for anyone of South Asian origin, it is a must-read for social work and health professionals interested in working with South Asian populations.

Shanta Pandey, PhD
Professor
Boston College School of Social Work
Chestnut Hill, MA

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Domestic violence is a public health crisis that impacts all communities, but there are unique barriers that South Asian survivors face, often preventing them from achieving safety and independence. In chapter 3, “Domestic Violence against Women in the South Asian Community,” Bhandari provides comprehensive and accessible information on these cultural nuances. Additionally, she highlights unique types of abuse that may not be obvious to mainstream service providers. Readers of this book, especially those in helping professions, will leave more knowledgeable about the dynamics and the solutions to this crisis, leading to more culturally responsive services for survivors from all backgrounds.

Rachna Khare
Executive Director
Daya Houston
Houston, TX

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This seminal book is a collection of scholarly research highlighting the myriad social issues among South Asians living in the United States. A unique contribution to South Asian scholarship, Bhandari’s book makes practical recommendations for social workers and other helping professionals who work with South Asian populations in this country. The book goes over and beyond the exploration of social problems and highlights the intersectionality and lived experiences of the culturally and ethnically diverse communities of South Asians. This book is a collection of contemporary research with nuanced and critical analysis leading to culturally responsive interventions, hence well suited for social work students, educators, researchers, and practitioners.

Sharvari Karandikar, PhD
President of South Asian Social Work Educators Association
Associate Professor
College of Social Work, the Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

To hear an interview with the book’s editor, Shreya Bhandari, listen to the podcast or watch the interview below!

This unique book compiles comprehensive evidence-based literature on the prevalence, nature, and type of social issues that South Asians (people originally from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives) in the United States deal with, along with culturally responsive interventions for social workers and other helping professionals. In the chapters that follow, we inform social work students, practitioners, and other helping professionals with knowledge about the South Asian population in this country as well as how best to intervene—using an intersectionality perspective—to address the various social problems they are experiencing.

Although the chapter authors have tried to be as inclusive as possible, we realize that it is impossible to address the myriad of combinations that exist in the South Asian community. Information about South Asian heterogeneity and diversity as well as differences and similarities between those South Asians who have emigrated recently and those who have been here for multiple generations are discussed and explained in detail in chapters 1 and 2. It would be an error to think that the struggles and problems of the different groups of South Asians in the United States are the same. Moreover, they may respond to various social issues in a different manner. We hope that reading a chapter on a particular topic will spark your interest and inspire you to explore each topic further.

Like most books on a variety of topics on the same population, there is no order in which we invite the readers to read the chapters. Although some may want to know more about domestic violence (DV) in the South Asian community, others may be interested in issues of South Asian older adults in the United States. Nevertheless, I recommend that you begin with the first two chapters because they set the tone of the book. Chapter 1, “The History of South Asians in the United States,” is a historical overview that emphasizes South Asians’ immigration patterns and their religious and language diversity. The chapter also elucidates the myth of the term “model minority.”

Chapter 2, “Intersectionality and South Asians in the United States,” addresses application of intersectionality, the overarching framework of this book. In this chapter, I review the premise of intersectionality theory in relation to South Asians in the United States. I then discuss how membership in marginalized groups creates a disadvantage, but that simultaneous membership in privileged groups may create an advantage for South Asians. Further, I explain the various intersections unique to the South Asian population in this country. The chapter ends with a case study that explains the application of the concept of intersectionality among South Asians in the United States.*

Chapter 3, “Domestic Violence against Women in the South Asian Community,” describes an overview of prevalence of DV among South Asians in the United States and the uniqueness of South Asian culture that may exacerbate abuse. Further, I explain the role of intersectionality in understanding DV among South Asians in this country. I look at the impact of culturally responsive support, such as the incredible work of South Asian women’s organizations. The chapter ends with a case study describing the intricacies of the complex problems involved in DV and how social workers, DV advocates, human services providers, and other helping professionals can intervene with South Asian survivors of DV.

Chapter 4, “South Asian Mothers in the United States,” describes the experiences and needs of first-generation South Asian mothers who immigrated to the United States. The authors provide background and context of South Asian families in this country and summarize studies on parenting and well-being among South Asian families. Utilizing a case study based on interviews with South Asian immigrant mothers, the chapter captures the experiences of parenting within an intersectional framework. The authors provide considerations and recommendations for working effectively with South Asian families

Chapter 5, “Intersectional Perspectives on the Mental Health of South Asians in the United States,” outlines the mental health needs of South Asians in this country, the connections between intersectionality and postcolonialism, and the impact that various identities have on mental health experiences. The authors provide a review of existing evidence-based discourse on facilitators of mental health services. The chapter ends with a case study of a South Asian client in the United States, providing a treatment plan informed by intersectional perspectives.

Chapter 6, “Navigating the Intersections: LGBTQ South Asians in the United States,” highlights the experiences of homophobia and transphobia as structures of oppression that significantly impact the experiences of LGBTQ South Asians both within the South Asian community and in the dominant U.S. culture. The author describes how South Asian cultural norms and values regarding marriage and family serve to marginalize queer and trans people. The chapter elucidates how living at the intersections of multiple identities creates complex and dynamic experiences of belonging for LGBTQ South Asians living in this country. Utilizing a case study, the author illustrates how queer and trans South Asians occupy and are in relationship to multiple communities, cultures, and identities that impact their experiences and needs in seeking support and services. The case study also provides an opportunity to engage with key questions and considerations for practitioners working with this population. The various themes highlight how South Asian family formation, immigrant and racialized identity, gender and sexuality norms and expectations, and cultural values all play into the safety and wellness of South Asian LGBTQ people who live at the intersections of multiple oppressions and identities.

Chapter 7, “Issues Affecting South Asian Older Adults,” reviews the trends of South Asian older adults in line with the immigration trends. The author emphasizes how this is a growing vulnerable population in the United States that faces challenges at the intersection of age-related health issues, gender, language, race, and cultural barriers. The chapter highlights the importance of culturally responsive health-related counseling, support in preventing the onset of or worsening chronic conditions, and planning for care at the end of life.

Chapter 8, “South Asian Immigrant Women in the Workplace: Barriers, Challenges, and Opportunities,” deconstructs the plight of South Asian immigrant women and closely examines how the intersecting layers impact their employment-seeking capabilities in the United States. The authors highlight the various intersecting vulnerabilities that South Asian women may experience in this country, such as limited English proficiency, low acculturation levels, being without independent work visas, and caregiving responsibilities in the household. These women may also deal with racism and sexism at work due to their accent, immigration status, and gender identity. These intersecting layers of vulnerabilities create barriers, challenges, and opportunities for employment available to South Asian immigrant women in the United States. The authors aim to present the literature and highlight the main issues confronting South Asian immigrant women by juxtaposing those issues with the authors’ own experiences, positionalities, and observations. To that end, they have created a case study to illustrate how an intersectional lens is required to understand and respond to issues that immigrant South Asian women face.

The book’s conclusion ties all of the topics together, examining the intersecting identities of South Asians in the United States through the intersectionality framework. The conclusion also discusses future trends and topics related to South Asians in this country that require extensive research and documentation.

This book is an excellent start to venture into the myriad social issues that South Asians experience in the United States. It will help the reader understand the cultural nuances of the South Asian community, and how best to respond to domestic violence, unique parenting, mental health, LGBTQ, and older adults–related issues as well as immigration barriers hindering employment, in light of the intersections of gender, race, caste, sexual orientation, immigration status, and so on. South Asians continue to grapple with not only the issues put forth in this book but others that also require social workers and helping professionals’ attention, awareness, and culturally responsive interventions.

* Note that in the case studies presented in each chapter, names and some identifying characteristics have been changed to protect privacy, or the case studies are composite and do not describe a specific situation or person.