What is generation gap?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a generation gap is difference in values and attitudes between one generation and another, especially between young people and their parents. What makes the Asian American generation gap unique is that age and the times each generation was raised in are not the only important factors that constitute their generation gap. The fact that the first generation and the second generation are born on different sides of the earth causes the gap to also signify the difference in values and beliefs of two very different cultures traditional; Asian culture and western society.

Generations by Numbers 
The First Generation — those who immigrate as adults to the United States are known as first-generation immigrants. English-proficiency level among this generation is often minimal.
The 1.5 Generation — children who immigrate with their parents are often referred to as belonging to the 1.5 generation. There is great diversity among this generation. Some consider themselves bilingual while others may use only English.
The Second Generation — those born in the United States with immigrant parents are second-generation immigrants. Successive generations are termed third-
generation, fourth-generation, etc.
What is the stereotype on AA?
Asian Americans have carried the stereotype of a hard working, education-hungry, social ladder-climbing group.

AA Identity
Although one's identity may seem to be a very personal and individual decision, as we shall examine, there can be many historical, socioeconomic, and sociological factors that can directly or indirectly influence this decision. Just as there is a wide range of experiences and circumstances within the Asian American population, so too can there be many different, overlapping, and simultaneous forms of ethnic identity among Asian Americans.

Education / Pressure / Expectation / Future / Success
Interview Session
I interviewed my brother-in-law during last long weekend. He is a 1.5 generation Asian American. This is why I am interested in his cultural history. Besides, I am following the same path these coming years to raise my daughter here.

1. Please talk about yourself?
My parents immigrated to United States when I was a teenager. I went to a middle school in San Jose when I first came to United States. Later I graduated from SJSU. I got married with my elementary schoolmate from Taiwan 4 years ago. Now I work as a swimming coach and my wife is a preschool teacher. We have a 4-year-old son now.

2. Why did you immigrate to U.S.?
My parents immigrated to U.S. for their business development 17 years ago. Therefore my 2 brothers and I followed them here until now.

3. What is your self-identity?
I see myself as an American from Asian. I drop my Taiwan citizenship because of the military obligation issue. Now I see myself as an Asian Pacific American.

4. How do you define success?
My definition of success is to have a happy family. I don’t really care about how much money I earn. I love to take care of my son most of the time. On the other hand, I am a full time volunteer in several NGOs. Helping people to improve physical and mental health makes me feel successful.
5. Is there a generation gap between you and your child?
I can see there are a lot of differences between my childhood and my son’s childhood. Even thought he is just 4-year-old, I can tell that he has a strong self-esteem and he is more confident than I was. He doesn’t really understand the life of his grandparents and their Asian background now.

6. What is your opinion about Asian American culture?
This month is the Asian American Heritage Month. There are more and more people aware of the importance of diverse culture in United States. The dominant group should conclude all kind of diverse culture to the mainstream culture and develop a singular new culture. Asian American culture should be a special combination of Asian culture and western values. However, it’s a big challenge to find balance point from both sides.

7. How do you bridge the gap between you and your 2nd generation child?
I am responsible for my son’s culture recognition. My wife and I have the same thought that it’s very precious to keep the Asian culture and language with us, which will help the 2nd generation identifying themselves smoothly. We will spend more time sharing our native culture during my son’s childhood and school years. We will also try our best to learn new things and use new language to communicate with our child.

Conclusion
The difference in the culture where each generation was raised has huge impacts on their conflicting value which separates them. In most Asian cultures, obedience is highly praised of and children are expected to follow their parents’ instruction without question. However, in America children are taught in schools to that speaking up and debate are healthy for relationships. So when first generation parents try to talk to their 1.5 or second generation children expecting them to quickly and silently obey or agree they are often disappointed or outraged when their children question their ways although it is not a question of their authority. Often the first generation interprets their child reaction as a lack of respect and disciplines them for it unfairly for it causing resentment and discouragement of future discussion. There are some limitations among this issue. The dominant group will always emphasize on their mainstream culture to maintain their power. The minority is responsible for their next generation’s identity, the way they educate children will affect their whole life.