The Wild Entitlement of Second-Gen Indian Americans: A Discussion

A thought-provoking post on Reddit titled “The Wild Entitlement of Second-Gen Indian Americans – Let’s Talk About It” has sparked extensive discussions across various social media platforms, challenging the views held within the Indian-American community.

In this now-popular post, the anonymous writer claims that many second-generation Indian Americans exhibit a “deep sense of entitlement.” The author argues that they enjoy the rewards of their first-generation immigrant parents’ sacrifices, while showing minimal appreciation or regard for their cultural heritage.

“Many of them were handed upper-middle-class suburban lives… all on the back of first-gen parents who worked insane hours, lived frugally, and tolerated racism silently,” the post states. It also critiques what the author terms as performative activism, highlighting how some second-gens only embrace their heritage when it is socially trendy, invoking their identity selectively.

Contrast Between Generations

The write-up sharply contrasts first-generation immigrants—depicted as resourceful people who built their lives from scratch—with their offspring, who are sometimes characterised as “keyboard activists,” “narcissistic,” and “allergic to accountability.” A particularly pointed observation notes that many second-gens “yell about decolonization while sipping $9 matcha lattes” and view “explaining Diwali to Becky in HR” as their greatest hurdle.

Recognising Diversity Within

While the author clarifies that not every second-generation Indian American conforms to this narrative—acknowledging that many are “humble, hard-working, and aware of their privilege”—the post particularly addresses the most vocal online personalities as contributing to a growing cultural disconnect.

This Reddit post has attracted thousands of upvotes and comments, with responses ranging from strong agreement to fierce criticism. Some users praised the post for “saying the quiet part out loud,” while others deemed it an unfair generalisation that overlooks the unique identity struggles faced by second-generation immigrants.

As discussions about cultural identity, privilege, and generational divides persist, it is evident that the Reddit post has resonated deeply, opening up essential yet challenging conversations within the Indian diaspora in America.