Passing for Perfect: College Impostors and Other Model Minorities

Erin Khuê Ninh's book "Passing for Perfect" explores the factors that drive college imposters to extreme lengths to appear successful, such as Azia Kim and Jennifer Pan. It challenges the notion of being a "model minority" and argues that the true cost of turning children into high-achieving professionals may be higher than anyone can bear.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2021
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

In her captivating study, Passing for Perfect, erin Khuê Ninh delves into the compelling motivations that drove individuals like Azia Kim, who posed as a Stanford freshman, and Jennifer Pan, who resorted to hiring a hitman to eliminate her parents before they discovered her lack of high school diploma, to go to extreme lengths to conceal their true identities and achieve success. Why would someone make such an illogical and seemingly irrational decision? And how do these individuals masterfully construct and maintain such intricate lies for extended periods of time? These exceptional cases serve as a catalyst for Ninh to explore the broader issue of the immense pressures and challenges associated with striving to be a model minority, where failure is deemed catastrophic and admitting defeat is unthinkable. Passing for Perfect adamantly argues that being a "model minority" is not a mere myth but rather an ingrained identity deeply embedded within one's programming, encompassing a set of beliefs, aspirations, and expectations, irrespective of one's current socioeconomic status or future potential. It sheds light on the hidden costs associated with pushing children to achieve exceptional academic and professional success, emphasizing that the toll may be far greater than what society can afford. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Ninh provides readers with a valuable framework to distinguish between imposters who engage in fraudulent activities or exploit others for personal gain and those who lack the necessary skills to break free from the cycle of passing for perfect. This book serves as a crucial resource for individuals seeking to understand the complexities of identity, societal expectations, and the pressures that shape individuals' lives.

Dimension: 216 x 133 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439920510