In this work, the authors use statistics from the U.S. Census to examine trends
in intermarriage, racial and ethnic combinations, and categorizations among
Asian Americans. Specifically, the authors want to consider the extent to which
family patterns may contribute to Asian Americans and their descendants’
continuing as distinct, becoming members of some new category or categories,
or simply becoming White. Based on the data analysis and discussion, it seems
most likely that Whiteness will increasingly depend on the situation: Where
there are Asians, Whites, and Blacks, Asians will tend to become White. Where
there are only Whites, Asians, including even those of multiracial background,
may well continue to be distinguished. Yet people in mixed families will be
continually crossing all racial and ethnic lines in the United States, and their
numbers will steadily increase.