The Follow-for-Follow Landscape: Study of Asian Men’s Social World

I have been using Medium.com for four days and came across the practice of “follow for follow” on the platform. This is a method of gaining followers quickly by following another user in exchange for a follow back.

I noticed an interesting pattern in the people engaging in this practice, as I have observed a large number of the people who do this are Asian men, particularly from South Asia and the Middle East. I’ve also come across a number of Africans as well. In this article, let’s attempt to explore why this phenomenon is skewed towards these demographic groups and how it is deeply rooted in cultural values and societal norms.

Validation and Status through Numbers and Achievements

In many Asian cultures, achieving validation and status through numbers and achievements is highly valued. This can be seen in the way that individuals strive for good grades and academic success in school, as well as the importance placed on having a high number of followers on social media. As a young Asian individual, I remember not receiving appreciation from my parents for who I am, but rather for what I do, how I act, and what I have achieved academically. This desire for validation and status through numbers and achievements is thus connected to the fact that many Asian individuals may not have received the genuine validation they needed while they were young from their parents.