Coming from an immigrant family

Sometimes when I get overly angry with my parents as they yell at me to finish my homework, or when every test seems like the most important thing in the world, I shut myself in my room and wonder how life would be if I was different. If I was born to another Caucasian family that had already established three generations in the United States. Obviously, values and culture would be drastically different. The line between play and work might also be different, and the constant talks about getting into college might not happen. But, I never linger on the subject for long, because I value my traditions and the values my parents have given me. It’s the hard work ethics from first-generation families that have molded me into what I am.

The reason why a majority of Americans label Asians as the model minority arises from several factors. First, these Asians are usually from immigrant families, which advocate for working harder. Immigrant families struggle and put their children to study hard or work hard because it would bring out a better future. Coupled with the long standing tradition of Asians in studying (in the past, the only way people could really rise in status from lower-class to higher-class was through testing and exams), the percentage of Asians entering the better universities throughout the nation would become obvious.

Family ideals obviously differ from family to family, but the motivation and drive to do well stays the same. Even if one family may not be as strict in having their children do well in school, parents constantly compare each child and create a pressure for all children to do well and better than the others. The pressure to do well can be extremely enormous, but I see more Asians pull through than fall behind.

Lastly, immigrant families also have a close-knit family bond. From my experience, and I assume which would be reflected in other families, dinner as a family at the table and sometimes lunch as a family at the table would do wonders to bring families together. It sets a time where everyone can share and talk about things so each member can catch up with another. Even if everyone is busy, the dinner is a relaxation time to talk and advise one another. Thus, this value, which is ingrained in many immigrant families, is yet another reason why the children are hard working. Bonds are strengthened, letting children understand their parents’s reasoning with their education.