Old-fashioned cultural pressures are becoming passe for some Asian Americans. Instead of following the stereotypical, narrowly defined path to academic excellence and career success, some in the younger generation are transforming how they view these cultural pressures in order to define their identities separate from their family and community.

The cultural pressures range from Asian parents raising their children with iron fists to the kids who must conform to the model minority stereotype. Common pressures dominating the lives of Asian American students include demands for impeccable report cards, double-majoring in biology and bio-chemistry or pre-med, and juggling challenging advanced placement courses in high school. Conversely, it is not to say that these ethnic stresses do not affect a second generation minority growing up in the United States, but perhaps these stereotypical pressures are not as cutthroat as society has imagined them to be.

The community and media have questioned whether these cultural pressures push people into career choices they otherwise would not be interested in. Some have gone as far as to hold the Asian American culture responsible on narrow college and career choices, while others disagree and contend that all cultures have these pressures, too, and that they are not exclusive to the Asian background.

The dialogue of cultural expectations and pressures not merely influencing, but starkly defining, some of the youths’ decision-making and career choices deserves to be updated as more Vietnamese Americans enter the workforce and realize their passions. NHA Magazine checks in with Vietnamese American students and professionals to explore their childhood experiences, pressures, future prospects and where they fit in the Asian American community and society in general.

Going Against the Grain: Been There, Done That
Dat Phan, 32, a stand-up comedian and winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing reality show in 2003, is a modern prototype of a Vietnamese American going against the grain. He redefined success and introduced to the Asian American community a new possibility for a prosperous career choice. Even though Phan has created a niche for himself in the Vietnamese community with his talents and national fame, he still has difficulty identifying with the commonly touted cultural pressures of growing up in an Asian family.

“I’m really breaking out of the mold of a Vietnamese person and I’m having trouble identifying with the average Vietnamese person,” Phan said. “But, I am finding a sense of bonding with Vietnamese people especially when I perform at colleges and meet the Vietnamese students.”

Phan has pride as well as strong opinions about the Vietnamese American community and understands that many in the older generation disagree with what he believes, and even what he does for a living. Despite the contentions, he respects everyone’s outlook.

“I don’t listen to the old Vietnamese generation,” Phan said. “I respect them, but I don’t listen to them. The older generation really tries. They sacrificed a lot for us. They sacrificed because they came over here not knowing what’s going on. They do it for the hope of the younger generation.”

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