What Defines American Culture?
By: Allison Miles
American culture, as previously stated, cannot be narrowed down to one set of rules, mannerisms, or values; there is a multiple of these combined factors that make up the culture of the U.S. as a whole. However, "even though the U.S. population is made up of many different ethnic groups, and that fact is one of the defining characteristics of the United States, it is still possible to talk about some shared "mainstream" values" (NAFSA). Examples of some of these values are writing the date out of order (as in: 'month/day/year' instead of 'day/month/year'), opening gifts in front of the giver, enjoying personal space, tipping at restaurants or in other situations, following the imperial system of measurement, and paying sales tax of objects one purchases (Macaluso). The United States can be very different from other countries around the world, likely because of the reason that it was born out of the idea that the founders could completely be able to govern themselves.
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Credit: Blend Images - KidStock Brand X Pictures Getty Images
As an aggregated country made up of various values and characteristics, the United States does not have a definite justification of its culture. A basic explanation would be described as the tastes in mannerisms, language, phrasing, and art that a particular society shared (or currently shares) at one moment in time. More broadly, however, culture is the knowledge and beliefs that influence a specific group of people within their everyday lives. In the States, "cultures provide a design for thought and action that help people survive the challenges of existence" (Haviland 27), and there are countless individuals who live in or are visiting the melting pot that is the U.S., where they utilize their own behaviors, which means there are countless cultures that have melded into each other and the environment they're in. Reasons that individuals continue their beliefs within a crowded country that carries many diverse cultures in it is because it defines one's evolutionary or cultural identity, and to some, the importance of passing down traditions and behaviors to younger generations is absolutely necessary.
American culture, as previously stated, cannot be narrowed down to one set of rules, mannerisms, or values; there is a multiple of these combined factors that make up the culture of the U.S. as a whole. However, "even though the U.S. population is made up of many different ethnic groups, and that fact is one of the defining characteristics of the United States, it is still possible to talk about some shared "mainstream" values" (NAFSA). Examples of some of these values are writing the date out of order (as in: 'month/day/year' instead of 'day/month/year'), opening gifts in front of the giver, enjoying personal space, tipping at restaurants or in other situations, following the imperial system of measurement, and paying sales tax of objects one purchases (Macaluso). The United States can be very different from other countries around the world, likely because of the reason that it was born out of the idea that the founders could completely be able to govern themselves.
The U.S. is a nation of individuals that, from at one point, came from another nation. It is often referred to as a country of immigrants, which is what causes it to be described as more ethnically diverse than other countries. The cultures that come along with immigrants add to this heterogeneous quality of the United States; they can pick and choose what they like, what they don't want to participate in, and what they'd like to get rid of. The idea of the freedom of choice and expression in the U.S. is a largely influential one, no matter the ethnic background, and promises a country made of diversity and especially personal freedom.
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Hi Allison,
ReplyDeleteI think you made some very interesting points in your blog post. Your argument or main point was clear and to the point with it being how the United States does not have a definite description or definition of its culture. I very much liked how you went into defining certain terms and phrases to further inform the audience about the points you were making. I certainly agree with you in that American culture to simply one description and one description only. The United States is home to many immigrants and natural born who share different values and beliefs. Because of this, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact description of American Culture which is a point you most clearly expanded on in your blog post. As far as appearance, I would make sure in your next blog post to make it appear more of as a blog then your typical essay. I think it is great though the amount of references and information you included. Also, to further enhance your blog post, I would take a look at this article which details more about the melting pot you mentioned, looking into it from another perspective. Great work!
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/atul-tandon/non-profits-diversity_b_2869256.html
Wow! I like where you're taking this post. You point out that American "culture" can exist in different forms, and there is such a thing as a blending of cultures. For example, my family is not religious, but we were invited to a Passion Play this weekend at a neighbor's church. Historically, passion plays were about Jesus and the Resurrection and done around the Easter holiday. But my daughter associates Easter with the more pagan fertility imagery (bunnies, eggs, etc.). After the play was over, my husband and I tried to explain to her how the early church adopted pagan holidays to integrate those beliefs into the larger whole (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-15/the-origins-of-easter-from-pagan-roots-to-chocolate-eggs/8440134). I'm not sure she was all that interested in our explanation, but I think this type of co-option and integration happens in America all the time.
ReplyDeleteHello Allison,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very interesting about American cultures! Your points are straight forward and easy to understand. I agree, the United States is very different from other countries due too other cultures. Also, I like the point you made about the United States being home to immigrants and natural born citizens. Great blog post!