Family is first for Indian-Americans
For Indian-Americans, perhaps nothing is more important than family. This is borne out by an extensive new Pew Research Center survey of Asian Americans. Compared with 67 percent of all Asian Americans and 50 percent of the general public, 78 percent of Indians think being a good parent is one of the most important things in their lives. And a successful marriage is a high priority for 64 percent of Indians, compared with 54 percent of all Asian Americans and 34 percent of U.S. adults. Unsurprisingly, 71 percent of Indians are married, compared with 59 percent of all Asian Americans and 51 percent of the general public.
Only 8 percent of Indian-Americans think the strength of family ties is better in the U.S. (69 percent think it’s better in India). While 12 percent of Indians marry non-Asians, 86 percent opt for marriage within their ethnic group, and the remaining 2 percent hook up with other Asians. The percentage of children living with two married parents is highest for Indians among all groups (Indians: 92, Chinese: 83, Asian: 80, General: 63). Another finding: 69 percent of Indians (again, the highest) still have close family living in India.
While 42 percent of Indians think moral values are about the same in both countries, 57 percent of Indians think conditions for raising kids are better in America. A resounding 83 percent of Indians (yes, the highest) see immigrants as strengthening the U.S. (48 percent of the general public agree). Indians (68 percent) are second only to Koreans (75 percent) in thinking that parents should have influence on their children’s career choices.
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