The Asian-American population has outgrown that of any other minority group in the United States in the last few decades. However, they have not only been improving in terms of population but other aspects of life as well. Although they are a distinct minority, Asian-Americans surpass the Whites in America on many indicators such as income and education. Their success is firmly rooted in their cultural and social values towards education and success in life.
Asian-Americans come from a culture that has strong values towards education. Their extreme determination towards education is rooted in Confucian beliefs that stipulates that a human being must strive in his entire life to improve and perfect himself. Asian-Americans are drive by this confusion “self-perfection” which motivates them to achieve the virtues of concentration, diligence, and perseverance both in education and in their daily lives. According to Zhou and Lee, 2014, the majority of white students define knowledge as information, fact, and skill, as well as an understanding of the universe. On the contrary, to the majority of Asian-Americans, knowledge is ‘a mean to self-perfection’ and “spiritual enrichment” (Joo, Reeves, & Rodrigue, 2016). This moral mandate for self-perfection has an incredible motivational impact which accounts for Asian-American cultural beliefs that efforts counts more than an innate ability when striving for academic success. As a result, their educational attainment is tremendous. According to Joo, Reeves, and Rodrigue, 54% Asian Americans have a bachelor’s degree as compared to 36% Whites. Moreover, 21% of Asian-Americans have advanced degrees in comparison to 14% of the Whites in America (Joo, Reeves, & Rodrigue, 2016).
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Compared to other minorities, Asian-Americans have the worst discrimination history in the United States. The first lot of Asian immigrants arrived in the State more than 150 years ago primarily as low-skilled male workers who labored in farms, mines, and railroads. They then proceeded to endure generations of government-sanctioned racial prejudice such as the immigration prohibition of Asian women, the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, the 1917 Immigration Act as well as the 1924 National Origins Act that banned the immigration of all Asians. Fortunately, the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act paved the way for large-scale immigration of Asians (Joo, Reeves, & Rodrigue, 2016). However, United States immigration policies have ensured that only highly educated and skilled Asians are granted citizenship. This immigrant selectivity has over the years given Asian-Americans a competitive advantage in the employment market. The fact that they are highly skilled and educated than the Whites in America enables them to secure technical and well-paying jobs.
Asian-Americans have distinct Asian values that have some similarities and differences to the dominant American values. These similarities and differences have a critical impact on the success of Asian-Americans. American values stress on individuality as well as autonomy. This culture prioritizes personal goals over collective goals. Although it is believed that the culture encourages people to be more ambitious and strive for success, individual efforts take longer to achieve success. On the contrary, Asian values emphasis on collectivity. Asian-Americans decisions are influenced by the impact they have on those around them. Before making a decision, Asian Americans will take into consideration its effect on their family members as well as their friends and colleagues. This collectivity has helped Asian-Americans to pull their resources together to advance their business hence the massive success in economy and income. Also, Americas’ emphasis on individualism extends to personal and professional life. Americans rarely mix the two. In most cases, they do not develop a personal relationship with coworkers or partake in social events. On the contrary, Asian values stress on socialism. Asian-Americans usually goes to great extend to know their co-workers personally. In so doing, they create strong social networks which come in handy when it comes to securing job promotions or securing investors for their businesses.
Both American and Asian values put a strong emphasis on family. In both cultures, the family is the basic unit of the society. However, Asian-Americans have expressed greater satisfaction and success when it comes family as compared to Whites in America. 54% of Asian-Americans perceive a successful marriage as one of the most important things in life compared to 34% of the Whites (Watanabe, 2018). They are also more likely to get married as compared to the other Americans. Also, they are likely to marry from their race as compared to the Whites. In regard to extended family behaviors, there is a clear distinction between American and Asian values. Individualism has a great impact on the extended family relationship in American culture. The Americans often leave their parents to start their own lives with their families in other places. On the other hand, Asian-Americans treasure extended families. As such, they are more likely to live in multigenerational households with not less than two adult generations.
The two cultures also vary in their values towards authority at both personal and institutional level. Among Asian-Americans, hierarchy dictates authority. Individuals are expected to respect and listen to their older siblings as well as the extended family. This is not the case in American values as it encourages people to develop their perspective and firmly defend them. Asian-Americans extend their hierarchical social structure and authority to institutions and workplaces. They respect the decisions of people with the highest ranks. Those in lower ranks accept these decisions without questions irrespective of their differing opinions. On the other hand, American have greater fluidity between those in authority and their subjects. In most instances, decisions are made together often after a heated debate on the issue at hand.
Despite being a distinct minority, Asian-Americans on average have greater success in terms of education and income as compared to the whites in America. Although they have endured severe discrimination, their Confucian beliefs have motivated them to seek self-perfection in every aspect of life. This moral decree for self-perfection that is deeply rooted in their culture has pushed Asian-Americans to seek better education which consequently secures them well-paying jobs as compared to the Whites.
References
Zhou, M., & Lee, J. (2014). Assessing what is cultural about Asian Americans academic advantage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,111 (23), 8321-8322. doi:10.1073/pnas.1407309111
Joo, N., Reeves, R. V., & Rodrigue, E. (2016, October 26). Asian-American success and the pitfalls of generalization. Retrieved November 20, 2018, from https://www.brookings.edu/research/asian-american-success-and-the-pitfalls-of-generalization/ .
Watanabe, P. (2018, September 27). The Rise of Asian Americans. Retrieved November 20, 2018, from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/06/19/the-rise-of-asian-americans/
