American Beliefs and Values
AMERICAN BELIEFS AND VALUES
There are some ideals and values rooted in the country’s history and spread by media (films, TV) that many Americans share.
1. Individualism – has strong roots in America. Individualism is understood not only as self reliance but also as economic self-sufficiency. It has been a central theme in American history. Many years ago most Americans were farmers whose success depended not on cooperation with others but on their ability to confront the hardships of land and climate on their own. Success was measured by individual resourcefulness. The idealization of the self-reliant individual translated itself into the celebration of the small businessman who became a financial success on his own. 2. Volunteerism – means helping people through privately-initiated or government-sponsored agencies. Volunteers are highly motivated workers who organize themselves to solve a particular problem or meet some social need. Volunteer fund-raising groups step in to help the needy in all spheres: there are groups that hold clothing drives for the poor and homeless as well as groups that organize car washes and bake sales to raise money for school. Volunteerism reflects Americans’ optimistic pride in their ability to work out practical solutions themselves. 3. Progress – is very important to the Americans. In this immigrant society progress is measured as family progress over generations. Many Americans can boast that with each succeeding generation since their first ancestors arrived the family’s status has improved. The classic American family saga is all about progress: the great grand parents arrived from Europe or Asia with nothing, worked hard, gave their children good education and so on ….. The idea of progress is an important part of the American Dream 4. The American Dream – this term is used to describe “the life that is better, richer and fuller” as American writer T.J.Adams put it in 1931. The American Dream is popularized
There are some ideals and values rooted in the country’s history and spread by media (films, TV) that many Americans share.
1. Individualism – has strong roots in America. Individualism is understood not only as self reliance but also as economic self-sufficiency. It has been a central theme in American history. Many years ago most Americans were farmers whose success depended not on cooperation with others but on their ability to confront the hardships of land and climate on their own. Success was measured by individual resourcefulness. The idealization of the self-reliant individual translated itself into the celebration of the small businessman who became a financial success on his own. 2. Volunteerism – means helping people through privately-initiated or government-sponsored agencies. Volunteers are highly motivated workers who organize themselves to solve a particular problem or meet some social need. Volunteer fund-raising groups step in to help the needy in all spheres: there are groups that hold clothing drives for the poor and homeless as well as groups that organize car washes and bake sales to raise money for school. Volunteerism reflects Americans’ optimistic pride in their ability to work out practical solutions themselves. 3. Progress – is very important to the Americans. In this immigrant society progress is measured as family progress over generations. Many Americans can boast that with each succeeding generation since their first ancestors arrived the family’s status has improved. The classic American family saga is all about progress: the great grand parents arrived from Europe or Asia with nothing, worked hard, gave their children good education and so on ….. The idea of progress is an important part of the American Dream 4. The American Dream – this term is used to describe “the life that is better, richer and fuller” as American writer T.J.Adams put it in 1931. The American Dream is popularized