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3471A Reddit post recently asked a powerful question: How do some Asian immigrants come to the U.S. with no money, no English, and within a single generation, rise out of poverty?
The post had hundreds of people chime in, sharing personal stories and cultural insights. The consensus is that it’s not magic. It’s sacrifice, education, and strong community ties.
Family First, Always
One of the most common themes? Multigenerational living and shared responsibilities. As one person put it, “We, Asians, mostly do not move out until we get married. We live with our parents, helping with chores, and take care of bills.”
Another echoed the same idea:
“Families are tiny communities. All the adults contribute either around the house or financially or both.”
Pooling money, sharing homes, and minimizing expenses allow these families to save more and invest in the future.
The Sacrificial Generation
Many commenters described immigrant parents as the “sacrificial generation.”
“They work and save everything for their children,” wrote one person. “Their children start to earn good money being a doctor, engineer, CPA, lawyer, etc., and now they’re out of poverty.”
Others talked about living with ten people in a house, working different shifts to share rent, and building wealth as a unit.
One commenter said, “They’re willing to be inconvenienced for a few years. Something that years ago wasn’t done cuz we couldn’t afford the rents.” To this, however, someone replied, “We aren’t willing to be inconvenienced, it’s kinda forced lol.”
A Cultural Obsession With Education
Education is often non-negotiable. Several noted that their parents enforced strict academic expectations.
“You ever heard of an Asian F? It’s an A-. Bs were unacceptable,” one commenter wrote. Another said, “It’s like a cultural obsession with education. An Asian kid, be it Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc., it’s just expected you go to college.”
One second-generation person shared how that paid off:
“My parents worked dishwasher jobs, rode bikes to work, and watched me and my brother on alternating shifts. Within five years they were homeowners.”
Community and Network Support
Many Asian families lean on community connections to find jobs, housing, and even startup capital. Some join lending circles or get help from religious and ethnic organizations.
“They have very strong communities and they network. They hire and promote and do business from within,” said one top commenter.
Government Help Makes a Difference
One voice stood out for highlighting the role of public assistance. “Welfare, EBT, social services were the most important for giving us a stable environment and therefore the ability to focus on school,” a user wrote.
“I can’t sing the praises of social safety nets enough.”
It’s Not Universal
Some reminded readers that not all Asian immigrants escape poverty.
One said, “My parents came here poor and uneducated and remained so because they couldn’t learn English well enough nor find better jobs.”
But they still laid the groundwork. “We pooled together everything we had and bought them a house and voluntarily act as their retirement plan.”
What’s Holding Others Back?
The post also asked why families already in the U.S. for generations struggle to achieve similar upward mobility. Many blamed American culture’s focus on individuality.
“Americans need to be more community oriented,” one commenter said. “Sharing both resources and responsibility makes everything easier.”
Another added, “There needs to be a ‘sacrifice’ generation. The American boomer poor parents I’ve known do none of those things.”
Others blamed structural barriers, like zoning laws and housing costs, which make communal living harder today.
Hard Work and Trade-Offs
Several people pointed out that it isn’t easy. “There are other issues that come with all of the good stuff… crazy demanding expectations, little to no flexibility in choosing your life,” one person wrote.
Still, the core message was that the combination of family unity, sacrifice, emphasis on education, and willingness to delay gratification can result in escaping poverty within a generation.
“They just have that willingness to make big sacrifices, work very hard, and seize their opportunities,” one user summed it up. “I have big respect for them.”
The thread didn’t offer a silver bullet. But it did offer a model that, for some, seems to work.
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