Framework Of American Culture Essay

Similar to a garden salad, the United States is made up of various ingredients continuously being tossed together (Lustig & Koester, 2013). Therefore, U.S. American culture, as a whole, can be difficult to identify. The blending of diverse people in the United States creates multiple perspectives of what U.S. American culture truly represents. However, although the persons of the United States are individually unique, there are central tendencies within society that outline the overall culture. Geert Hofstede has created a framework that defines culture based on six different dimensions: power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation and indulgence. Countries are given a score based on how much emphasis

The United States received a relatively low score within this dimension, meaning that inequality is not very accepted. U.S. Americans tend to take the least common denominator approach by minimizing any inequalities and promoting uniformities. “Especially in the United States, the concept of freedom for every citizen is strongly connected to their attitude towards inequality, enhanced by the focus on equal rights in all parts of U.S. American society” (Boeing, 2013, p.25). Furthermore, U.S. American society emphasizes “liberty and justice for all” along with the notion of the “American Dream”. These ideals demonstrate the inclusivity society; no one person is more superior or inferior to another. Everyone has an equal opportunity. For example, within U.S. American organizations, people of power rely on their subordinates just as much as their subordinates rely on them. Communication is very informal and inclusive where all types of information are shared freely. On the other hand, in countries with a high power distance score, organizations are not concerned with cooperation and mutual participation among employees or members. Moreover, they are concerned with the power structure and employing top-down management styles. The United States is

He examines different countries and cultures as to whether they exhibit more masculine or feminine characteristics. According to Hofstede (2003), this dimension can be defined as, “the markedness of distinction between social gender roles” (p.1). The United States scored high in this dimension, meaning that U.S. American behavior reflects masculinity. “The societal norm in a country, such as the United States, with a high score on the masculinity dimension is to have an achievement ideal, to have a ‘machismo’ ideal, to value productivity, and to try to be the best. In these countries big and fast are beautiful where citizens live in order to work” (Albers-Miller, & Gelb, 1996, p. 64). U.S. American society has a very dynamic society in which people believe there is always an opportunity to do and be better. They have a “winner takes all” mentality. For example, within most U.S. American organizations, institutions, and companies people try to climb the ladder, ultimately aiming to position themselves atop everyone else. They are constantly running after these goals not only to show off how well they have performed, but also because these people are motivated by work. Consequently, due to the working culture, the U.S. American society places a greater emphasis on material and monetary rewards. This increases their score within this dimension because masculinity is characterized by achievement and