Asian Americans stress group membership over self-interest because Asian cultures tend to place a greater emphasis on collectivism rather than individualism. This means that individuals within these cultures often prioritize the needs and goals of their community or group over their interests. This value system may be influenced by factors such as Confucianism, which strongly emphasizes social harmony and filial piety, or the historical importance of extended family networks in many Asian countries (Yeh & Huang, 1996). This philosophy, which originated in China, strongly emphasizes the importance of relationships and social harmony. In Confucian thought, individuals are expected to prioritize the needs of their families and communities over their interests (Tien & Olson, 2003). A critical concept in Confucianism is the idea of filial piety, which refers to the duty and respect children owe to their parents and elders. This respect for authority figures and social hierarchies is also reflected in other aspects of Confucian thought, such as maintaining social order and upholding moral values. Another critical aspect of Confucianism is the emphasis on education and self-cultivation. According to Confucian philosophy, individuals are responsible for continually improving themselves and developing their moral character (Yeh & Huang, 1996). This focus on self-improvement may also contribute to the collectivist values seen in Asian cultures, as individuals are encouraged to strive for excellence not just for their benefit but for the betterment of society as a whole.
Another factor contributing to this tendency is the history of discrimination and marginalization faced by Asian Americans in the United States. As a minority group, Asian Americans may need to band together to gain political clout and fight against injustices they have experienced. This sense of solidarity may translate into focusing on group membership over individual interests. The history of discrimination against Asian Americans is long and well-documented. From the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, Asian Americans have faced a range of discriminatory policies and practices throughout American history (Sue et al., 2007). These experiences have created a shared sense of identity and struggle among Asian Americans, contributing to the development of Asian collectivism. In addition to facing discrimination by the government, Asian Americans have also experienced prejudice and racism from other Americans. This has made many feel like outsiders in American society and rely on their communities for support and protection. Collectivism has therefore become a way for Asian Americans to come together and create a sense of belonging and security in an often hostile environment (Sue et al., 2007). Beyond providing a sense of community and belonging, collectivist values also offer ways for individuals to cope with discrimination and marginalization. Collectivism helps individuals feel connected and valued by emphasizing mutual support and cooperation, even in the face of adversity. This can be particularly important for Asian Americans who may feel isolated and vulnerable in American society.
In conclusion, it’s worth noting that the concept of “self-interest” may be viewed differently in Asian cultures than in Western cultures. Asian Americans tend to view self-interest in a broader context than individualism. In collectivist cultures, such as many Asian cultures, self-interest is often seen as being closely linked to the interests and well-being of the larger community (Yeh & Huang, 1996). Rather than prioritizing personal gain or success, Asian Americans may focus on how their actions and decisions will impact their family, friends, and community. This perspective on self-interest reflects a belief in interconnectedness and interdependence rather than independence and individualism (Oyserman & Sakamoto, 1997). Asian Americans may prioritize fulfilling their roles and responsibilities within their social networks, including family obligations, cultural traditions, and community involvement. While there may be some variation among individuals and subgroups, Asian Americans view self-interest through a collectivist lens, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the greater good and maintaining harmony within the larger community.Asian Americans stress group membership over self-interest because Asian cultures tend to place a greater emphasis on collectivism rather than individualism. This means that individuals within these cultures often prioritize the needs and goals of their community or group over their interests. This value system may be influenced by factors such as Confucianism, which strongly emphasizes social harmony and filial piety, or the historical importance of extended family networks in many Asian countries (Yeh & Huang, 1996). This philosophy, which originated in China, strongly emphasizes the importance of relationships and social harmony. In Confucian thought, individuals are expected to prioritize the needs of their families and communities over their interests (Tien & Olson, 2003). A critical concept in Confucianism is the idea of filial piety, which refers to the duty and respect children owe to their parents and elders. This respect for authority figures and social hierarchies is also reflected in other aspects of Confucian thought, such as maintaining social order and upholding moral values. Another critical aspect of Confucianism is the emphasis on education and self-cultivation. According to Confucian philosophy, individuals are responsible for continually improving themselves and developing their moral character (Yeh & Huang, 1996). This focus on self-improvement may also contribute to the collectivist values seen in Asian cultures, as individuals are encouraged to strive for excellence not just for their benefit but for the betterment of society as a whole.
Another factor contributing to this tendency is the history of discrimination and marginalization faced by Asian Americans in the United States. As a minority group, Asian Americans may need to band together to gain political clout and fight against injustices they have experienced. This sense of solidarity may translate into focusing on group membership over individual interests. The history of discrimination against Asian Americans is long and well-documented. From the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, Asian Americans have faced a range of discriminatory policies and practices throughout American history (Sue et al., 2007). These experiences have created a shared sense of identity and struggle among Asian Americans, contributing to the development of Asian collectivism. In addition to facing discrimination by the government, Asian Americans have also experienced prejudice and racism from other Americans. This has made many feel like outsiders in American society and rely on their communities for support and protection. Collectivism has therefore become a way for Asian Americans to come together and create a sense of belonging and security in an often hostile environment (Sue et al., 2007). Beyond providing a sense of community and belonging, collectivist values also offer ways for individuals to cope with discrimination and marginalization. Collectivism helps individuals feel connected and valued by emphasizing mutual support and cooperation, even in the face of adversity. This can be particularly important for Asian Americans who may feel isolated and vulnerable in American society.
In conclusion, it’s worth noting that the concept of “self-interest” may be viewed differently in Asian cultures than in Western cultures. Asian Americans tend to view self-interest in a broader context than individualism. In collectivist cultures, such as many Asian cultures, self-interest is often seen as being closely linked to the interests and well-being of the larger community (Yeh & Huang, 1996). Rather than prioritizing personal gain or success, Asian Americans may focus on how their actions and decisions will impact their family, friends, and community. This perspective on self-interest reflects a belief in interconnectedness and interdependence rather than independence and individualism (Oyserman & Sakamoto, 1997). Asian Americans may prioritize fulfilling their roles and responsibilities within their social networks, including family obligations, cultural traditions, and community involvement. While there may be some variation among individuals and subgroups, Asian Americans view self-interest through a collectivist lens, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the greater good and maintaining harmony within the larger community.