"I have to wonder why that, culturally, seems to be linked to Asians?"

It is not Asians - it is most cultures where the parents are fairly poor and the children have a chance to succeed in life.

A second generation rich (well off) person will not work as hard as someone whose father is poor.

I doubt that the stressing and pressure that this guy is going trough is good - but the hard work that a lot of Chinese school children do is a good thing.