American Culture
In order to understand American culture, one must have knowledge of the
history of our country. America is traditionally a country of
immigrants. Very few people today have ancestors who were natives in
this land. Even our founding fathers fled to America
many because of
religious persecution, and a few who were just looking to start a new
life on the exciting untouched frontier. During the hundreds of years
to come, America was seen as a land of opportunity, and people from all
over the world moved there; some in large groups, and some all by
themselves. This history of immigration to America has greatly shaped
our culture. Instead of having one basic set of customs and beliefs,
our country has so many that there are no dominant viewpoints. We are
like a melting pot in some ways, and a tossed salad in other ways.
Each immigrant brings some of his homeland's culture with him, and some
parts of his culture will melt with others, and some will stay intact
(like all of the different pieces of a salad). I think this is why the
French and English responses to individualism were different. In
America an individualist is not afraid to have his own culture, and not
mold himself to Pop culture which is a big factor on the lives of young
Americans.
As I mentioned before, immigrants saw America as a land of opportunity,
and in America we still hold onto the belief that no matter how poor a
person is, they can always work to a higher position in life. It
doesn't matter who you are, it only matters that you work hard,
persistently, and efficiently. Efficiency is another important value to
Americans, who have recently become obsessed with speed. We are a very
fast paced culture who loves to have plenty of fast-food stores, quick
internet shopping available...
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