According to the American Heritage Dictionary, self-reliance is defined as a reliance on one's own capabilities, judgment, or resources. Typically, when people first move to the US from another country, they may feel overwhelmed by all the things they need to do to settle in: open a bank account, get a driver's license, enroll their kids in school, get a car, a home, etc. The transition is made easier when there is someone here to help-someone to help the new arrivals, often accompanying them to the places they need to go. If there is already an established community of people from their home country, new arrivals can speed up the process of transition. However, if there isn't a community established, most foreigners new to the US have to figure out how to establish a new life by themselves.
The difficulty for newcomers to the US lies in the speed with which they are expected to adjust to the American lifestyle. When they look for help, they are given phone numbers and emails to contact. They must find the information themselves, which takes longer than having someone do it for them. They must decide what is the best neighborhood and school for their children. Experts will give them advice, but they will not push newcomers to make a decision. The decisions must come from the individuals themselves. This can put pressure on newcomers.
Americans are good at this: they are accustomed to moving more frequently than people from other countries. They have learned from a young age how to get information when they need it and how to make decisions for themselves. They have developed the social skills necessary to talk about themselves immediately, when they are introduced, and to ask questions to get to know a new person they have met. They are also responsible for helping themselves. This is reflected in the numerous "self-help" books available to learn a variety of skills such as typing, carpentry, gardening, even dieting and quitting smoking.
Because of the history of how the United States grew and developed, many people learned to rely on themselves. When pioneers explored unknown lands in the West, they came in covered wagons, and they had to survive on the land. When they established themselves, they felt an immense feeling of success at being able to create a new life by themselves. This value of self-reliance is deep in the American culture. Those who can "make it" on their own, can be truly free from dependence on others. And independence is desirable in the US. It gives people the freedom to choose what they want and create their own lives.
