National

Axios Finish Line

We often hear the American Dream is dead. But whatever you think of immigration, every year people come here from around the world in pursuit of that dream.

Why it matters: People across borders and oceans still view the U.S. as the place to come to build a better life for their children.

And 70% of U.S. adults — across race, gender, political party and income — say the American Dream is achievable, Gallup polling found.

Founder frenzy: 44% of Fortune 500 companies have at least one founder who is an immigrant or the child of immigrants, according to stats from New American Economy, founded by Michael Bloomberg. 

Upward mobility: Even the children of immigrants who fall in the poorest quarter of the U.S. end up in the middle class, Princeton researchers found.

Self-made wealth: 80% of America's millionaires — foreign- and U.S.-born — are first-generation.

The bottom line: The U.S. remains the leading destination for immigrants with big dreams. 20% of all the world’s immigrants are in the U.S., according to Pew Research Center.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on May 10.

The American Dream is alive for immigrants

44% of Fortune 500 companies have an immigrant founder.

Illustration of a door made of an American flag opening with light pouring out.  

Immigration

Economy & Business

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

We're all scrambling for ways to help when tragedy strikes. Here’s one big way: Help ease kids through the awfulness.

Listen to them. Be honest with them. Take "news breaks" with them.

Why it matters: Kids often simply need to talk things out and know someone — anyone — is listening.

Schools around the country did something yesterday that would have been unimaginable a generation ago:

They sent home pointers about how to talk to kids about mass tragedy, as parents and teachers navigate the aftermath of Uvalde.

With help from Axios Local reporters coast to coast, Finish Line pulled together tips from school leaders, for you to use and pass along.

Here's what parents are being told from Colorado to New York, Wisconsin to Texas:

Listen: "Discuss news stories with your children, asking about their thoughts and feelings about what they saw, read, or heard and correct any misunderstandings or confusion," Hafedh Azaiez, superintendent of Round Rock schools in suburban Austin, wrote to parents.

Watch: Be aware of what older kids are seeing online. You'd be shocked how much on-the-scene video gets shared on Instagram and TikTok.

Preserve routines: Kids feel safety in normalcy. Try not to marinate in — or let kids marinate in — the sadness and madness.

Be honest: Encourage questions, and tailor answers based on kids' age. If they're under 7, keep it simple and say something like: "Someone hurt people." For older kids, provide clear answers — while also reassuring them that parents, teachers and administrators have plans to keep them safe.

Take care of yourself: "Allow yourself to feel, to grieve, to be angry, to be frustrated," Minneapolis Public Schools told families. "Then collect yourself before engaging with your child."

💭 John Wallace, principal of Randall Elementary in Madison, Wisconsin, told students:

"[Y]our teachers and I talk about these things all the time and have plans in place if anything should not seem right. We don’t talk to you about that, but I want you to know we talk about that."

Several school districts directed parents and educators to in-depth resources from organizations that specialize in trauma response:

How to talk to kids in the aftermath — individualized by age (Common Sense Media).

What to emphasize when talking to kids (National Association of School Psychologists).

Common reactions in kids and what to do about them (National Child Traumatic Stress Network).

💡 The bottom line: This is hard. Check in with the kids, parents, teachers and school workers in your life — and with yourself. It's not about having the perfect thing to say, psychologists tell us. It's about showing up.

How to talk to kids about Uvalde

Listen to them. Be honest with them. Take "news breaks" with them.

Illustration of a chalkboard in the shape of a speech bubble. 

School shooting

We&#x27;re all scrambling for ways to help when tragedy strikes. Here’s one big way: Help ease kids through the awfulness.<ul><li>Listen to them. Be honest with them. Take &quot;news breaks&quot; with them.</li></ul>Why it matters: Kids often simply need to talk things out and know someone — anyone — is listening.Schools around the country did something yesterday that would have been unimaginable a generation ago:<ul><li>They sent home pointers about how to talk to kids about mass tragedy, as parents and teachers navigate the aftermath of Uvalde.</li></ul>With help from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Local" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/27841341.27/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2xvY2FsP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/598cdd4c8cc2b200398b463bBeee65e31" data-vars-content-id="36820f7a-9c50-4646-8cac-3ba98bea8d47" data-vars-headline="How to talk to kids about Uvalde" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/27841341.27/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2xvY2FsP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/598cdd4c8cc2b200398b463bBeee65e31" target="_blank">Axios Local</a> reporters coast to coast, Finish Line pulled together tips from school leaders, for you to use and pass along.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what parents are being told from Colorado to New York, Wisconsin to Texas:</li></ul><ol><li>Listen: &quot;Discuss news stories with your children, asking about their thoughts and feelings about what they saw, read, or heard and correct any misunderstandings or confusion,&quot; Hafedh Azaiez, superintendent of Round Rock schools in suburban Austin, wrote to parents.</li><li>Watch: Be aware of what older kids are seeing online. You&#x27;d be shocked how much on-the-scene video gets shared on Instagram and TikTok.</li><li>Preserve routines: Kids feel safety in normalcy. Try not to marinate in — or let kids marinate in — the sadness and madness.</li><li>Be honest: Encourage questions, and tailor answers based on kids&#x27; age. If they&#x27;re under 7, keep it simple and say something like: &quot;Someone hurt people.&quot; For older kids, provide clear answers — while also reassuring them that parents, teachers and administrators have plans to keep them safe.</li><li>Take care of yourself: &quot;Allow yourself to feel, to grieve, to be angry, to be frustrated,&quot; Minneapolis Public Schools told families. &quot;Then collect yourself before engaging with your child.&quot;</li></ol>💭 John Wallace, principal of Randall Elementary in Madison, Wisconsin, told students:<ul><li>&quot;[Y]our teachers and I talk about these things all the time and have plans in place if anything should not seem right. We don’t talk to you about that, but I want you to know we talk about that.&quot;</li></ul>Several school districts directed parents and educators to in-depth resources from organizations that specialize in trauma response:<ul><li>How to talk to kids in the aftermath — individualized by age (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Common Sense Media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-school-shootings" data-vars-content-id="36820f7a-9c50-4646-8cac-3ba98bea8d47" data-vars-headline="How to talk to kids about Uvalde" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-school-shootings" target="_blank">Common Sense Media</a>).</li><li>What to emphasize when talking to kids (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Association of School Psychologists)" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers" data-vars-content-id="36820f7a-9c50-4646-8cac-3ba98bea8d47" data-vars-headline="How to talk to kids about Uvalde" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers" target="_blank">National Association of School Psychologists)</a>.</li><li>Common reactions in kids and what to do about them (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Child Traumatic Stress Network" data-vars-click-url="https://emss.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/parents_guide_to_talking_about_mass_violence.pdf" data-vars-content-id="36820f7a-9c50-4646-8cac-3ba98bea8d47" data-vars-headline="How to talk to kids about Uvalde" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://emss.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/parents_guide_to_talking_about_mass_violence.pdf" target="_blank">National Child Traumatic Stress Network</a>).</li></ul>💡 The bottom line: This is hard. Check in with the kids, parents, teachers and school workers in your life — and with yourself. It&#x27;s not about having the perfect thing to say, psychologists tell us. It&#x27;s about showing up.

Never have so many kids reported being so sad and stressed.

Why it matters: The American Academy of Pediatrics declared the mental health crisis among children and teens a national emergency.

Zoom out: Consider these troubling stats, reported by Axios health care editor Tina Reed.

Mental distress: More than 40% of teens said they persistently felt sad or hopeless during 2021, a CDC survey found.

Risky behavior: The same survey found increased use of alcohol and drugs during the shutdown.

Abuse: 55% reported emotional abuse from a parent or other adult in the home. Over 10% reported physical abuse.

Here's how all of us — parents, relatives, friends, mentors — can help:

Look for outward signs that something's wrong — rapid weight gain or loss, falling grades, mood swings, frequent headaches and fatigue. Don't avert your gaze. 

Don't just watch — ask. Young people want attention and questions, even if they act otherwise.

Read between the lines. "We look at kids who are irritable or angry, and we say they're bad or mad," says Ken Ginsburg, a pediatrician and founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. "That's how they show they're sad."

Call in professionals. If the price is steep, start with cheap or free resources at the child's pediatrician's office, school or house of worship. All those places have adults trained to counsel. Here's a guide for broaching therapy with teens. 

Insist on answers. Don't assume specialists are omniscient. Seek second opinions. If they prescribe medication, follow up with them on why and the side effects. Alcohol often causes problems when mixed with meds. Help teens understand this." 

Here are two common pitfalls when helping teens, Emily Pluhar, an adolescent psychologist at Harvard, tells us:

Tiptoeing when worried: "People are so afraid to ask about things like self-harm and suicide because they’re afraid they’ll suggest it," she says. "No data shows that that’s true. So be as direct as possible."

Fearing you're endorsing: "If a teen says, 'My life sucks,' you can say: 'I can see how you feel that way with what's been going on' — without agreeing."

The bottom line: "You don’t need to have the perfect words," Ginsburg says. "You just need to show up."

Editor's note: This article was originally published on May 9.

The state of the teen mental health crisis — and how to help

Kids want attention and questions, even if they act otherwise.

Illustration of a young man walking under a thought bubble shaped raincloud

Mental health

Coronavirus

Never have so many kids reported being so sad and stressed.Why it matters: The American Academy of Pediatrics declared the mental health crisis among children and teens a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national emergency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-mental-health-crisis-among-children-and-teens-how-parents-can-help-202203082700" data-vars-content-id="6401c8dd-77d1-4004-9169-7fa531fdea3c" data-vars-headline="The state of the teen mental health crisis — and how to help" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-mental-health-crisis-among-children-and-teens-how-parents-can-help-202203082700" target="_blank">national emergency</a>.

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

Data: Pew Research Center; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

Asian Americans hail from dozens of countries — and their experiences in America are starkly different depending on their origins.

Why it matters: This vast, diverse group is often lumped together under the "model minority myth" — the stereotype that all Asian Americans are well-educated, wealthy and successful. 

If you look at averages, Asian Americans appear to be richer and better educated than the average American.

If you disaggregate the data, the model minority myth crumbles. We see high levels of poverty and below-average levels of educational attainment.

But because that data is seldom disaggregated, "Asian Americans have had to make the case over and over again that they suffer from racism and hostility and violence," says Ellen Wu, a history professor at Indiana University. 

The big picture: The U.S. Asian American population doubled from 2000 to 2019, hitting 22 million. Asians are the fastest-growing group in America — outpacing white, Black and Hispanic Americans and projected to pass 46 million by 2060, according to the Pew Research Center.

"They all have very different starting points," says Neil Ruiz, associate director of race and ethnicity research at the Pew Research Center.

Consider, for example, an Indian immigrant who comes to the U.S. via H-1B visa for a high-paying gig at a tech company. That person will have a far easier time building generational wealth than a Burmese refugee coming to America to escape conflict, Ruiz says.

By the numbers: The median income of Asian households in the U.S is $85,800, and 54% have college degrees, per Pew.

But only three groups — Indians, Filipinos and Sri Lankans — fall above that household income. And college attainment for many groups is well below the average.

Data: Pew Research Center; Table: Thomas Oide/Axios

The stakes: "So many groups have been neglected and ignored," says Quyên Dinh, executive director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.

"People are not always convinced that Asian Americans are a legitimate minority group that deserve to be included in affirmative action and diversity initiatives," says Wu.

For example, 30% of Southeast Asians — a region encompassing nations like Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos — don't have high school degrees.

"Because of the model minority myth, these students' silence in classrooms is misinterpreted as understanding instead of a cry for help," Dinh says.

What to watch: Activists and experts see a silver lining in the recent spikes in anti-Asian violence. "There is a new spotlight on the Asian American community," says Dinh.

"Awful things have always happened," Wu says. "But now Asians are collecting the data and recording what's happening, and Asian journalists are amplifying these stories."

Redefining Asian America

Their experiences in America are starkly different depending on their origins.

Asian Americans

Asian Americans hail from dozens of countries — and their experiences in America are starkly different depending on their origins.Why it matters: This vast, diverse group is often lumped together under the &quot;model minority myth&quot; — the stereotype that all Asian Americans are well-educated, wealthy and successful.

Three factors determine 80%+ of our longevity — diet, exercise and sleep. Of those, sleep is by far the easiest to get right.

Why it matters: We aren't. 1 in 3 American adults don’t get enough sleep — defined as 7 or more hours a night — per a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

The average American adult slept 7.9 hours a night in the 1940s. That has dropped to 6.8 hours a night.

The stakes: Over time, operating without enough sleep can dramatically increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, Francesco Cappuccio, a heart health and sleep expert at the University of Warwick tells us.

Medical research has linked insufficient sleep to obesity, depression, anxiety, and even heart failure and dementia.

Lack of sleep also drives up individuals’ costs of health care and companies’ loss of productivity, studies have shown. Employees who aren't getting enough rest are far likelier to be unfocused, miss days of work or get injured on the job.

"Sleep is not a dead state," says Cappuccio. "It's like pressing the 'save' button on a computer."

Your body is repairing tissue, organizing thoughts and consolidating memory.

We asked the experts to break down good sleep for us.

Not all bedtimes are created equal. One of the best ways you can improve your life is to figure out your best hours — are you a night owl, an early bird or somewhere in the middle? Tailor your sleep schedule around that — and keep it consistent.

Think about "sleep hygiene." The environment you sleep in affects the health of your sleep. Neat rooms, little light, low noise and set bedtime routines all matter.

Soak up the sun. Getting enough Vitamin D and moving around throughout the day will tire you out.

Beware sleep’s enemies. Alcohol and caffeine can lower sleep quality when consumed at night. Long naps can cause insomnia (the best power naps are 20 minutes or shorter, experts say). 

Power down. The light emitted from your devices can roil your circadian rhythm. The National Sleep Foundation recommends ditching screens 30 minutes before bed.

And it's not just about individuals, Cappuccio says. If you're a manager, check in with employees to make sure they have enough time to rest. There's a business case for workers getting sufficient sleep.

The bottom line: We're better parents, friends, neighbors and colleagues when we catch enough zzz.

America needs sleep

One in three U.S. adults don’t get enough sleep

Illustration of a brain wearing a sleeping eye mask.

Three factors determine 80%+ of our longevity — diet, exercise and sleep. Of those, sleep is by far the easiest to get right.Why it matters: We aren&#x27;t. 1 in 3 American adults don’t get enough sleep — defined as 7 or more hours a night — per a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html#:~:text=More%20than%20a%20third%20of,Morbidity%20and%20Mortality%20Weekly%20Report." data-vars-content-id="d52710c2-5e2f-4d88-9d24-f40e53c50d20" data-vars-headline="America needs sleep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html#:~:text=More%20than%20a%20third%20of,Morbidity%20and%20Mortality%20Weekly%20Report." target="_blank">study</a>.

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Erica Pandey

Stories

How to talk to kids about Uvalde

America needs sleep

Redefining Asian America

The American Dream is alive for immigrants

The state of the teen mental health crisis — and how to help