American Culture

Chapter 2: Traditional American Values and Beliefs

The Context of Traditional American Values: Racial, Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Diversity

Today, the US is the most diverse country in the world

Racially, ethnically, culturally, religously The US has always had some diversity

Native Americans Spanish settlers French missionaries Black slaves British colonists

The Context of Traditional American Values: Racial, Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Diversity

Diversity = Pluralism (more than one) The high diversity in the US meant that

people had no choice but to accept it Many Americans see their diversity as their

strength Pluralism is recognized more today than it

was in the past

Question: How did the American national identity

develop with so much diversity?

The Context of Traditional American Values: Racial, Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Diversity

The Context of Traditional American Values: Racial, Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Diversity

Answer:??? “we share a common set of values that make

us American…. We are defined by the rights we have…. Our rights are our history, why the first European settlers came here and why millions more have come here since.”– John Zogby

The Context of Traditional American Values: Racial, Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Diversity

“The land of opportunity” The values of the people who went to America

for a new life developed into the traditional values of American today:– Individual freedom– Equality of opportunity– Material wealth– Self-reliance– Competition– Hard work

Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance

Early colonists came to America to escape oppression at home (Europe) by kings, governments, churches etc

British colonists declared independence in 1776

In 1789 the constitution was written which separated church from state

Titles (Lord, Duke, Sir) were forbidden to prevent an aristocratic society from developing

Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance

This created a “climate of freedom” where the individual was most important.

Individual freedom (i.e. you can do anything you want to do) is the most basic American value.

Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance

Freedom: the desire and the right of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized authority.

This “freedom” has attracted many immigrants to America

Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance However, to achieve “individual freedom” they

needed to be “self-reliant”– Financial / emotional independence from parents

Americans believe they should take care of themselves and solve their own problems

They owe nothing to any man, they expect nothing from any man; they acquire the habit of always considering themselves as standing alone, and they are apt to imagine that their whole destiny is in their own hands.

-Tocqueville

Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance

Most Americans believe they must be self-reliant to keep their individual freedom

i.e. if you rely on someone else, you don’t have any freedom

Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance

Sometimes, people are forced to rely on others This is generally not a long term arrangement Being too reliant on others means a loss of

freedom, and sometimes a loss of respect Even when dependent on others, people must

‘appear’ to be self reliant

Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance

Financial support (charities, welfare) to those in need is generally for a short time only

It is expected that people will take care of themselves

Financial support is common, but not admired

Many believe it is a bad example that will weaken the American character.

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

Immigrants to the US believe that everyone has the chance to succeed

People are free from excessive political, religious, and social control

One reason is the lack of a hereditary aristocracy

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

No formal class system exists in the US Many people believed that in their native

countries, their social class would determine how successful they could be

In America, they would not have to compete with rich and powerful noble families

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

Many immigrants were very successful in the US – regardless of their background

This lead to the idea of equality of opportunity

The more I advanced in the study of American society, the more I perceived that … equality of condition id the fundamental fact from which all others seem to be derived.

-Tocqueville

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

“Equality of opportunity”– Each individual has an equal opportunity for

success

“Success” is the main goal of American life – everyone should have the same chance to be successful

An “ethical” rule (similar to “fair play”)

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

We… wish to allow the humblest man an equal chance to get rich with everybody else. When one starts poor, as most do in the race of life, free society is such that he knows he can better his condition; he knows that there is no fixed condition of labor for his whole life.

-Abraham Lincoln

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

The downside of equality of opportunity is competition

Americans see life as a race to succeed – with winners and losers

Americans believe that since they all have the same opportunity to succeed, they have a duty to try

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

Pressure of competition is part of all Americans’ lives

Competition is encouraged at an early age (especially in sports)

Equality of Opportunity and Competition

Americans are under a lot of pressure to compete throughout their working lives

When they retire, many lose their prestige and respect

People who don’t compete well are seen as misfits

Material Wealth and Hard Work

People came to the US to raise their standard of living

America has very abundant natural resources – and was seen as a “land of plenty”

Many improved their own lives or the lives of their children

Material wealth became important to Americans

Material Wealth and Hard Work

“Materialism” – to place a high value on material possessions (cars, jewelry, etc)

Americans are perceived to be very materialistic – even though they may value other things more highly (family, faith etc)

Why are Americans materialistic?

Material Wealth and Hard Work

Answer: Material wealth dictates social status in the

absence of hereditary aristocracy or titles of nobility.

Quality and quantity of possessions became a measure of success.

Material Wealth and Hard Work However, to achieve material wealth

Americans must work hard It took a lot of hard work to develop and profit

from the abundant natural resources of the US.

Material possessions were seen as a natural reward for hard work, and as an indicator of someone’s ability

Material Wealth and Hard Work

Today, it is more difficult for an average American to become very wealthy because of changes in the economy

To compete internationally, many people must now work longer for less

They have become the “working poor” workers with a low standard of living

Material Wealth and Hard Work

Most Americans still value hard work, but it is becoming more common for people to receive welfare

Families are limited to how much welfare they can receive

Many employers no longer provide benefits (health insurance etc) to their workers

The American Dream

The behavior and values have remained constant:Americans still love their country and believe that they can accomplish almost anything. A recent poll found 91 percent who agreed with the statement, “Being an American is a big part of who I am.” Only 11 percent said they would like to emigrate elsewhere…. Frenchman Clotaire Rapaille captured this unique aspect of American patriotism: “America is not a place. It is a dream.”