The US Census bureau has released a report based on the 2000 US Census about Asian Americans in the United States(pdf). Some highlights and reactions:
- About 60 percent of all Asians were married, somewhat higher
than the proportion for the total population. - Almost four-fifths of Asians spoke a language other than English at home, but about three-fifths spoke English “very well.”
- A higher proportion of Asians (44 percent) than of the total population
(24 percent) had earned at least a bachelor’s degree. Asian Indians had the highest percentage with a bachelor’s degree, about 64 percent, Japanese had the highest proportion (91 percent) with at least a high school education. - Asians were more likely than the total population to be in management, professional, and related occupations. About 45 percent of Asians were employed in management, professional, and related occupations, compared with 34 percent of the total population
- Asian men and women who worked year-round, full-time had higher
median earnings than all men and women. - The median annual income of Asian families was higher than the median of all families.
- Homeownership was relatively lower for Asians than the total U.S. population.
Comments at the Times Of India and the LA Times(sub)
Personally, one is pleased. Possible reasons are the intense competitiveness in all spheres - education, work, etc. in Asia, as well as relatively high levels of education.
Article comments
1 - Animesh Rawal
I think the reason is not so simple.
The Americans are living at home, and the community is full of all types of people. However, the Asian migrants are of three types:
1. Rich, successful: Already at a stage in life where they have "Arrived". They go to the US for a better life.
2. Intelligent, curious and young: They study at a top univ. and stay put, adding value to themselves and to their adopted nation.
3. Poor, with a zeal to make it big: They come empty handed, and slog their way up the ladder towards the American dream.
It is mostly the better people who emigrate. So obviously they do well. The home society, however, is full of all kinds of people, and that drags their average low. What say?
2 - Aaman
Are these dynamics true for immigrants from all Asian cultures? Does this epitomize a fulfilment of the American dream?
3 - Animesh Rawal
I don't think you get the point. What I'm trying to say is that it is unfair to make positive conclusions about Asians based on the fact that they are doing well in America. Whether or not they have realised the American dream is irrelevant.
4 - Aaman
Why is realizing the American dream irrelevant? In an 'empire of wealth', the American dream is worth it - a society without history must resort to economics as a discriminant