American Values -

American Values
Abstract:
How does American culture differ from others? The way to address this question is to consider the values that Americans live by. American culture has been enriched by the values and belief systems of virtually every part of the world. Consequently, it is impossible to be comprehensive. Nevertheless, a few selected values are at the core of the American value system. As people grow up, they learn certain values, which will influence and mode their way of life. "Values" are ideas about what is right and wrong, desirable and undesirable, normal and abnormal, prosper and improper.
Basic American values include individualism, freedom, equality of opportunity, p racticality and efficiency, friendly and direct, morality and work ethic, social etiquette. Introduction:
When it comes to culture, the behavior of people is the smallest part of culture. The greatest part of culture, internal culture, is inside people‟s heads. It contains the values unconsciously learned while growing up in a particular culture. Therefore, when we want to know more about American culture, we can first explore American values. The article has a overall discussion about American values, which the values include and what they are. According to the that discussion, we can understand Americans and American culture better. With the rising of problems from the daily life, we can get to know the challenge to the values, not only to Americans, but also to Chinese.
Individualism:
The supreme value of American is individualism. It means that nobody can tell you how you should think and feel. American view themselves as highly individualistic in their thoughts and actions. They resist being thought of as representatives of any homogeneous group. When they do join groups, they believe they are special. Just a little different from other members of the same group. In the U.S. you will find people freely expressing a variety of opinions anywhere and anytime. Yet, in spite of this independence, almost all Americans end up voting for
one of their two major political parties. Individualism leads to privacy, which Americans see as desirable. The word privacy does not exist in many non-Western languages. If It does, it is likely to have a negative connotation, suggesting loneliness or forced isolation. It is not uncommon for Americans to say, and almost to believe: "If I don't have half an hour a day to myself, I go stark-raving mad!"
Freedom:
The word "freedom" is one of the most respected popular words in the United States. By "freedom", Americans mean the desire and the ability of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized authority. The desire to be free of controls was a basic value of the new nation, and it has continued to attract immigrants to this country. We can see this in the way Americans treat their children. Even very young children are given opportunities to make their own choices and express their opinions: The child's preference will normally be accommodated. Though this process, Americans come to see themselves as separate human beings who have their own opinions and who are responsible for their own decisions. Equality of opportunity:
Americans are also distinctive in the degree to which they believe in the ideal, as stated in their Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal.” Although they sometimes violate the ideal in their daily lives, particularly in matters of interracial relationships, Americans have a deep faith that in some fundamental way all people (at least all American people) are of equal value, and no one is born superior to anyone else. “One man, one vote,”they say, conveying the idea any person‟s opinion is as valid and worthy of attention as any other person‟s opinion. The equality contains gender equality as well. Women should have the same opportunity of work with men. Meanwhile, equal work deserves equal pay. In other words, women and men should be equally treated.
Practicality and efficiency:
Americans have a reputation for being realistic, practical, and efficient. The practical consideration is likely to be given highest priority in making any important
decision. Americans pride themselves in not being very philosophically or theoretically oriented. If Americans would even admit to having a philosophy, it would probably be that of pragmatism. Will it make money? What can I gain from this activity? Will it be enjoyable? Will it advance the cause of knowledge? This pragmatic orientation has caused Americans to contribute more inventions to the world than any other country in human history. The love of "practicality" has also caused Americans to view some professions more favorably than others. Management and economics are much more popular in the United States than philosophy or anthropology, and law and medicine more valued than the arts. Americans belittle "emotional" and "subjective" evaluations in favor of "rational" and "objective" assessments. Americans try to avoid being "too sentimental" in making their decisions. They judge every situation "on its own merits". On the other hand, efficiency does not equal to effectiveness. Efficiency is doing things right while effectiveness is doing the right things.
Friendly and direct:
Americans generally appear outgoing. Three …Loves‟ build into Americans values, love of God, love of family, and love of country. They are friendly regardless of ethnic background. Many other countries have developed subtle, sometimes highly ritualistic, ways of informing others of unpleasant information. Americans prefer the direct approach. They are likely to be completely honest in delivering their negative evaluations, and to consider anything other than the most direct and open approach to be "dishonest" and "insincere". Anyone in the U.S. who uses an intermediary to deliver the message will also be considered "manipulative" and "untrustworthy". If you come from a country where saving face is important, be assured that Americans are not trying to make you lose face with their direct.
Morality and work ethic:
Americans have a strong belief in “right” and ”wrong”. They also have the belief to help the less fortunate. Material success in the United States is not looked upon as selfish. Its results are seen to have communal value. As a man‟s status rises, he is expected to give liberally to the hundreds of voluntary associations which nourish and
minister to the community. Work ethic is a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character. "Don't just stand there," says a typical bit of American advice "do something!" This expression, though normally used in a crisis situation, in a sense describes most Americans' waking life, where action - any action - is seen as superior to inaction. Americans routinely schedule an extremely active day. Any relaxation must be limited in time and aimed at "recreating" so that they can work harder once their "recreation" is over. Such a "no-nonsense" attitude toward life has created a class of people known as "workaholics" - people addicted to, and often wholly identified with, their job or profession. The United States may be one of the few countries in the world where people speak about the dignity of human labor - meaning hard physical labor. Even corporation presidents will engage in physical labor from time to time and, in doing so, gain rather than lose respect from others.
Social etiquette:
Americans are even more informal and casual than their close relatives - the Western Europeans. For example, American bosses often urge their employees to call them by their first names and feel uncomfortable with the title "Mr." or "Ms.". Dress is another area where American informality is most noticeable, perhaps even shocking. For example, one can go to a symphony performance in any large American city and find people dressed in blue jeans. Informality is also apparent in Americans' greetings. The more formal "How are you?" has largely been replaced with an informal "Hi". This is as likely to be used with one's superior as with one's best friend. Materialism:
It‟s true that American as a whole work hard. But they also play hard. They spend more time and money in traveling,camping, hunting, watching sports than any other people in the world. They think it is a reward for their hard work and evidence of their abilities. They give a higher priority to obtaining, maintaining, and protecting material objects than they do in developing and enjoying relationships with people. Since Americans value newness and innovation, they sell or throw away their possessions frequently and replace them with newer ones. A car may be kept for only
two or three years, a house for five or six before buying a new one.
Challenges:
There are several challenges may exist with American values. Firstly, freedom versus safety. How can people from so many diverse backgrounds live in peace and safety together? Secondly, individualism versus community. Are people really made to live like an “island”? Do people live best as autonomous, isolated beings? Thirdly, in American pursuit of happiness, to acquire bigger better things, many of its people have becoming wasteful. In addition, America is the largest polluter in the world. Should everything be subjugated to personal choice?
To China:
In China, Confucian thought has dominated the Chinese way of life for almost 2000years. So, the widely accepted traditional values derive largely from the pervasive influence of Confucian philosophy and they are at the very core of Chinese identity. Chinese values emphasize loyalty to the community and the country, modesty and righteousness in social activities. In Chinese tradition, the interest of the community is always more important than that of the individual. Chinese culture and society can be defined as “collectivist”, in which the group interests take precedence over the individual members. Chinese emphasize the values of family and maintain close family links. There is a strong bond, inter-dependent relationships between parents, children and other family members. The basic rules of obedience, moderation and self-restraint amongst family members should be observed. Chinese pay special attention to an overall situation and social interests. It is based on the inner order and cohesiveness that the concept of great notional unity and collectivism come into being. The values which assert collective interest foster Chinese spiritual tradition of patriotism and collectivism.
In general, our country is steady and good, but there are still some problems existing in our society. There is a tendency that more and more problems are arising from our daily life, undermining and damaging Chinese values.
Conclusion:
In addition to such basic American values as individualism, freedom
freedom, equality of opportunity, practicality and efficiency, friendly and direct, morality and work ethic, social etiquette, we can see the social characteristics of American values, such as getting things done in a set time or faster, schedule driven, always try to find ways to improve, equal chance to succeed and ect. We also can see a trend toward conservation with an emphasis on recycling and preserving the environment. Also there is a greater sensitivity to cooperation on a more global scale. No matter what changes the next century brings or whether you agree with American values, the opportunity to visit the United States and to observe Americans first-hand is an experience well worth the effort. Be careful not to be ethnocentric, but to evaluate a culture by its own standards. Be aware that you'll help shape American attitudes, just as they will influence you. Nowadays, it is impossible for us to seclude our country from the outside world, so while facing American values, in fact, I think the attitude towards them should not be “resist”or “accept”blindly, we should combine them with our country‟s real situation, and choose the best to build our future.
References:
1.The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
2.1994-1995 Handbook for Foreign Students and Scholars, International Education and Services, University of Iowa.
3.Culture's Consequences:International Differences in Work Related Values[M]. Hofstede, Geert , 1980.
4.Fahey, William A.F.F. Scott Fitzgerald and the American Dream, New York; Thomas Y. Crowell, 1973.。