Growing Up Asian American— What We Can Learn From Disney’s Movie Turning Red
By Caitlin Dang, LMHCA, MACP
Turning Red (2022) is a coming-of-age story that captures the complexity of growing up as a second or third generation Asian in North America.
Through the lens of Meilin Lee and her evolving relationship with her mother, Ming, the film offers a rich narrative that reflects key themes of the Asian American experience. Using the framework of the Asian American Quadrilateral (AAQ) as outlined by Jenny Wang and written about by Jane Hong and Josephine Kim (Lee, 2022), we can explore four major themes: Asian Heritage, Migration Experience, American Culture, and Racialization.
Themes From Turning Red Using the AAQ
(and what you should look out for next time you watch it ;))
Asian Heritage
Definition: "Cultural, religious, and philosophical inheritances" (Lee, 2022, p. 67)
Honoring ancestors and cultural pride — the Lee family runs a temple
The color red is emphasized as lucky and sacred
Internalized shame and emotional repression — Ming (Mei Mei’s mother) fears and hides her panda form
Values around appearances, roles, and self-control — Mei’s female relatives (aunts and grandmother)
Family Dynamics
Parental stereotypes — Ming is overly controlling while Jin, the father, plays a supportive yet passive role
Lack of autonomy — Mei's relationship with her mother is codependent and enmeshed
Emotional dysregualtion — Ming externalizes her issues
Shame/guilt around collectivist values — There is a deep generational fear and reverence towards elders, particularly visible in Ming's fear of her own mother
Family Loyalty
Tension of growing up in multiple cultures — Her friends accuse her of being "brainwashed," emphasizing cultural clashes between collectivism and individuality
Beauty of collectivism — Despite conflict, the film also shows women coming together in ritual and unity, reinforcing the value of family bonds
Migration Experience
Definition: "This theme encompasses immigration, refugee experiences, and related phenomena such as transnationalism, the acculturation or assimilation process, intergenerational conflict, and identity formation" (Lee, 2022, p. 67)
Acculturation & Assimilation
Perfectionism — Mei is the obedient overachiever, a straight-A student and temple caretaker—a model child molded by high expectations
Parentification — She experiences adultification, frequently soothing her mother and managing her emotions
Emotional suppression and “saving face” — is normalized, especially by Ming, who values control and image
Intergenerational Conflict
Lack of acceptance — Mei cannot be honest with her parents due to cultural expectations and fear of punishment
Grief around family support — She finds greater emotional support from friends than family
Breaking intergenerational trauma — The climax shows Mei choosing to keep her panda—symbolizing her acceptance of her full self—while her mother chooses to suppress hers
Identity Formation
Self discernment — The red panda, initially seen as a curse, is revealed to be a protective, ancestral gift; Mei's decision to embrace her panda marks her reclaiming of identity beyond parental or cultural expectations
Refugee/Immigrant Struggles
“Model minority” — The Lee family runs a small business and upholds a high standard of achievement
Sacrifices of immigrant parents — Mei navigates a dual world of cultural preservation and Western assimilation
American Culture
Definition: "Encompasses multicultural contemporary American culture, Western intellectual traditions, and missionary/colonial histories in Asia" (Lee, 2022, p. 67)
Assimilation — The boy band obsession is symbolic of Mei's integration into Western pop culture
Loss of culture — Ming’s attempts to police her daughter’s social life mirror common immigrant fears of losing cultural values
Racialization
Definition: "The process of racial identity formation, navigating the Black/White binary, and the particular forms of discrimination that Asian Americans face as people of color" (Lee, 2022, p. 67)
Stereotyping — Tyler’s dismissal of Mei’s mom as "crazy" reflects racialized tropes of Asian women as overbearing
Internalized racism — Ming apologizes submissively to white parents, then blames Mei's friends—a nod to both internalized racism and the pressure to conform
Microaggressions — The film largely softens overt racism, but microaggressions and stereotypes subtly underscore racial dynamics
What can we learn from this?
Turning Red captures the internal and external conflicts of being a diasporic Asian youth. At its heart, the film is about identity, belonging, and the complex love between immigrant parents and their children. It speaks to the delicate, painful, and beautiful work of forging one’s own path while carrying generations of stories, expectations, and hope.
The red panda is no longer just a curse—it becomes a metaphor for wholeness, connection, and self-acceptance.
Interested in therapy or consultation? I offer trauma-informed and culturally responsive counseling for clients in Washington State.
Interested in finding a support group for healing from emotionally immature parents? Check out my support group!
Resources
Lee, D. D. (2022). Doing Asian American theology: A contextual framework for faith and practice. IVP Academic.
Shi, D. (Director), & Shi, D., Cho, J., and Streicher, S. (Writers). (2022). Turning Red [Animated Film]. Walt Disney Pictures; Pixar Animation Studios.
