Global Perspectives: American Culture Through the Eyes of Others Americans should consider taking lessons from other cultures and focus on progressing in certain areas of their life, such as their parenting. Instead of devaluing family and important qualities, they should be placed with greater significance due to effects that may lead their offspring to repeat the same wrong values. I do believe independence is a quality that everyone should possess, but it should be taught to an extent that does not interfere with their other qualities. Living in America I have also adapted to their cultural values, which is being independent early on in life. Americans are perceived as placing significance on independence, which may cause children to value …show more content…
In the article "Growing Up American: Doing the Right Thing", Amparo B. Ojeda states, "You know, many children in the neighborhood walk to school unaccompanied by adults. Why don't you let your daughter walk with them to school? She will learn to be on her own if you let go" (Ojeda 234). …show more content…
Children are allowed to have their own opinion and express it by interrupting others when speaking. In the article “Growing Up American: Doing the Right Thing”, Amparo discusses how American children express themselves, “On our way out of the air terminal, the children began to fuss. “I'm hungry”, “I'm tired”, “I'm thirsty”, “I want to go to the bathroom”” (Ojeda 231). Parents do not resent this kind of behavior, so they do not believe it is necessary to take disciplinary actions. Therefore, the child feels as if they can continue this behavior all their life; thereby creating disrespectful adults. It's not necessary to publicize what one is feeling all the time. In some cases it may be inappropriate, especially when an elder or person of authority is speaking. In America, children of any age may approach an elder as an equal. Titles are being withheld and they are allowed to address adults by their first names. Based on the article “Growing Up American: Doing the Right Thing”, Amparo emphasizes, “No titles such as “Mr.”, “Mrs.”, or “Miss” were used; we were simply introduced as “Steve this is Amparo” and “Amparo this is Paula”” (Ojeda 232). Even though this seems harmless, this is giving a child some form of power. I have to agree with the opposite cultures that elders should be respected, a child should not be able to call their teacher by their first name; that is normally considered
In the chapter entitled, “American Dreams,” In Creating America, Joyce Moser and Ann Watters write:
In the book “They Say I Say”, Brandon King writes an essay bringing multiple perspectives on what Americans golden way of living is. The “American dream” is what most American citizens all strive for. Early settlers came in to try to achieve “the dream”. Those who already lived in America choose to stay because of its grand possibilities. The United States of America is the only place in the world where you have the rights to freedom of speech. What is the American dream? It used to be said that you could come to America and go from rags to riches; you could come with nothing and achieve everything you ever wanted. Take a second and think. We all ponder upon, is the so called “American dream” dead or alive? This has been a steamy topic
To be an American means more than just living in the country for a set amount of years. It means more than being granted citizenship, and more than just waving a Boy Scout American flag in your yard on Memorial Day. To be an American is to be free, and that is what we as Americans sometimes take for granted and forget. Being an American isn 't just living in the "greatest country in the world", there are plenty of other countries that say the same exact things. There are far less countries in this world, though, that are free, and have the American mindset. Not many countries employ so many freedoms and have the 'American dream '. The American mindset is not just something that
While the American Dream of the post-war ‘40s and ‘50s was the same core ideology as the American Dream had always been, it expanded its previous definitions to include a uniform “American Way of Life”. Will Herberg argues that the true common religion in the United States is not western monotheism but this way of life that we have. He cites the fact that a majority of people at this time don’t let their religious beliefs affect their decisions about politics and society . He infers that there must be another force behind the country’s unity and it is our way of life. This way was more linear in definition than in the past and was reinforced by the pressure that the Cold War produced. Popular media reflected the conformism that was prevalent
Independence will always be synonymous with American. Every idea or concept since this lands habitation by Europeans has been based on an Independent concept of some sort. Today we feel the effect of our originators’ views. In the fairly short historical life of America, It has expanded its ideas of independence to a much larger realm of equality and liberty. Every generation of American has had an ideal of what independence is because they are living in the land that was founded on it. Today the remnants of the Virginia and New England models of independence can still be found, however its offspring of American culture is the dominant lasting ideal of independence in America.
When you think about family, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you only thought about your parents or close relatives, then you may have been caught in an “individual vs. family” paradox. Nearly every culture considers family important, but “many Americans have never even met all of their cousins” (Holmes & Holmes, 2002, p. 19). We say we are family oriented, but not caring to meet all of our extended family seems to contradict that. Individual freedoms, accomplishments, and goals are all American ideals that push the idea of individualism.
When I first started playing the episode, Ira Glass, host and producer of This American Life, immediately grabbed my attention with the line, “Sometimes things are not what they seem. Big news, I know. Here’s an interesting example of it.” Ira, with a voice clear and engaging, went on to describe the account of Damien Cave, a reporter for The New York Times, on an airplane. Damien was looking through an in-flight magazine that was using ads for tourists to attract people to various lands that were centers of drug and gang-related violence. The prologue had started with an interview with Damien and captured vivid descriptions of his analysis of how ads are tools of those in power to coerce people into thinking and consuming. “Propaganda is
A child's independence, a quality which can determine their success, falls into the hands of their parents. Over-parenting, also known as too much parental involvement is a controversial topic. Many people ask the question of whether or not it can hinder a child's independence. However, it can be argued that it does not. Children with actively involved parents benefit greatly from higher life satisfaction, emotional stability, and protection from the dangers of society.
The American Self is the common character and values of American people which evolved depending on governmental philosophy, religious belief, and economical aspiration from beginning of its formation to the present. Any of the change in the above factors would contribute to the evolution of the American Self. Over time, the American Self changed from communalism, whole hearted religious faith, and interest in material goods to individualism, self interests, and greed.
When talking to their children both parents ask that the children stop what they are doing and that they look at who is speaking. By doing this they hope that the children listen to what is being said and it is used as a sign of respect.
Children do not know any better than to follow the actions of what they see other people doing.
In current time, children often disregard their parents’ orders. This disrespect has greatly increased since the 1930s. Children presently disobey their parents on a regular basis and this is considered normal. Respect for their parents has greatly diminished from the past. Parents’ authority over their children is much less apparent now than it was in the 1930s. Parents must commit themselves to their role in society and make parenting a priority. The future is bleak in regards to any improvement in how well children respect their parents, unless something is done to change how children view their parents’ authority.
want to go for a walk?” The child has not really been given any choice
By far the most important ideal Americans possess is their idea of individualism. The belief that each person is unique and responsible for their own life is instilled in every person beginning from childhood. Rather than seeing themselves as a member of a group, Americans believe everyone is different; therefore, this causes them to believe that society has no influence over the values they themselves hold. This is one reason it is difficult to ask an American what America’s values are. Along with the concept that each individual is in control of their own being, instead of viewing the wealthy as lucky and the poor as unlucky, they are regarded as the hard working and the lazy. Since each individual is responsible for their own life, where they finish by the end of it is up to them. Lastly, with individuality comes value placed on privacy. Americans expect that everyone needs time alone in their daily lives to restore their energy. If one says they need time alone, the feeling is understood, and respected.
Therefore, it is vital, that we give the time for talk without being insulted or insult, as we are all going through a process of growth also for our parents.