[bayindirh]

I wonder how American culture evolved for self reliance over time, or what are the underlying causes for it.

This is a question without any prejudice. I'm from another part of pale blue dot where the situation is exact opposite.

[raisedbyninjas]

Only a few centuries ago many Americans lived on the frontier. Frontier life has been venerated by many since then. This gives rise to the popularity self-reliance, guns, rural and suburb living, small government and privatization, deregulation, car ownership over public transportation, etc.

[skeeter2020]

Part of the American psyche is an emphasis on the individual over the state, and smaller tribes over larger communal groups. This creates the narrative of self-reliance and making it on your own, regardless if it is true or not.

[dakna]

> what are the underlying causes

I don't want to reduce this complex issues to just one cause, but

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_work_ethic

might help to understand at least parts of what we are seeing.

[skeeter2020]

that's definitely part of what made America today through the initial settlement from Western Europe. A big challenge is that population growth is not coming from the same areas anymore, so expecting the same driving values is probabvly not going to work. True or not, the USA is still a beacon for opportunity and an escape from some pretty dire places. The lack of social safety systems is a polarizing but effective marketing tool for the people it attracts.