Amy stormed up to her room crying, slamming the door behind her. Her mom continued from outside the room, “How will you care for grandma if you move so far away?” Upon hearing this, Amy retorted, “I have my own life and own career to prioritize now.” Amy, a graduating high school senior, didn’t understand: many of her friends were leaving the state for college too, so why were her parents prioritizing her staying close to home?

Amy’s experience reflects an ongoing culture clash in America between collectivism (an emphasis on community goals), and individualism (a focus on the individual interest). Generally speaking, European countries and the United States favor individualism, whereas Asian countries such as China, Korea, Indonesia, and Japan hold collectivistic customs. This has been the case for centuries: western philosophers like Voltaire celebrated freedom; Eastern thinkers like Confucius stressed one’s obligations in relationships. 

Today, increased exposure to individualistic culture has led younger Asian Americans to stray away from collectivistic tenets valued by earlier Asian immigrants. This generational divide can be explained by the differing childhoods of first-generation and second-generation Asian immigrants. Before arriving in America, first-generation immigrants grow up in an environment of collaboration; By the time they reach the states, they are already grounded in their traditional community practices.  However, when they raise their children in America, first-generation parents expose their kids to a culture of freedom that is widely promoted in television shows, fashion trends, and social media. As a result, the younger generation becomes more attuned to individualistic habits that are fundamentally opposed to their ancestral beliefs, brewing familial conflict. 

Certainly, there are merits to individual-focused and community-focused practices: collectivism fosters respect for the elderly and encourages humility and generosity; individualism furthers diversity and inspires self-sufficiency and assertiveness. Nevertheless, neither culture is perfect. The Western ambition for self-validation manifests in overconfidence, with 94% of American professors claiming they were “better than average” when asked about their competence. On the other hand, a group-oriented mindset may quell individual interests, leading some to abandon their personal goals. 

Considering the benefits and drawbacks of contrasting cultures, the Asian American community should encourage open-minded discussions to reconcile individualistic principles and collectivist ethics. Indeed, Amy’s dispute could have been simply resolved with a commitment to visit during spring break in turn for collegiate independence. In the end, by seeking common ground, Asian Americans can ensure that future generations will find value in both individualistic and ancestral collectivist principles.