7 -- American Ways -- Traditional Values And Beliefs, The Heritage Of The Frontier--digest Ii 1h3r5p

I. TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES AND BELIEFS 6

In the United States, the diversity of racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious groups is greater than in any other nation on earth. 7 That diversity is also called pluralism and it is one of the country’s strengths 8 Accepting diversity was the only practical choice, even if some people were not enthusiastic about that 9 In spite of diversity, people share a common set of values that make them American, give them their identity. 10 There are six basic values that have become traditional American values (3 reasons why immigrants got to the States + 3 prices they had to pay): Reasons: 1) chance of individual freedom 2) equality of opportunity 3) material wealth

Prices: 1) self-reliance 2) competition 3) hard work

1) Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance 11 The Americans have limited the power of the government and the churches. They have eliminated a formal aristocracy, and created a climate of freedom; 12 The emphasis was on the individual, and the United States came to be associated in their minds with the concept of individual freedom. 13 This value is often called individualism, but the Americans prefer the word freedom 14 Freedom is the desire and the right of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government or any other organized authority. 15 The price to be paid for that is: self-reliance (we must rely on ourselves or risk losing freedom; we must “stand on our own two feet”). Examples of self-reliance. 2) Equality of Opportunity and Competition 16 This is the belief that everyone has a chance to succeed in the United States. 17 Because individuals are free from excessive political, religious, and social controls, they have a better chance for personal success. 18 In the United States, the immigrants found their dreams come true: the lower social class in which many were born did not prevent them from trying to rise to a higher social position. 19 As many millions of them succeeded in the United States, the Americans came to believe in equality of opportunity. 20 Equality of opportunity does not mean that everyone is or should be equal, but that each individual should have an equal chance for success. It is an ethical rule. 21 For the Americans, much of life is a race for success. Everybody should have an equal chance to enter the race and win, viz., that the race for success is a fair one. 22 The price to be paid for this equality of opportunity is competition, which means that a person must compete with others, even though we know that not everyone will be successful. Those who like to compete are often more successful than others, and when they win, they are honored by being called winners. 23 Those who are not successful when they try are sometimes dishonored by being called losers. 24 Competition is a life-long process in America. It causes Americans to be energetic, but it

also has side effects, as it makes their life emotionally stressful. When they retire, they feel useless and unwanted. 25 If you don’t compete successfully in America, you don’t fit into the mainstream of American life as well as those who do compete and succeed. 3) Material Wealth and Hard Work 26 The immigrants went to the United States in order to have a better life, viz. to raise their standard of living. 27 The country was abundant in natural resources and it was a land of plenty where millions of people could come and seek their fortunes, make their dreams of prosperity come true. 28 The phrase “going from rags to riches” became a slogan for the “American dream.” 29 People who achieved material success became very attached to material things, to their property. This is how material wealth became a value of the Americans. 30 This does not mean that the Americans are materialistic. It is just that material wealth is a measure of their social status. It is a substitute for judging social status. 31 The price that the Americans pay for their material wealth is “hard work.” 32 Only by hard work could the immigrants convert the undeveloped resources of the continent into material possessions. 33 This made them see material possessions as a natural reward for their hard work. 34 As result of that, the difference in material possessions reflected a difference in personal abilities. 35 The chances of material wealth are no longer as great as they used to be in the 19th and 20th century. 36 People work hard but have low-paying jobs that do not provide a decent standard of living, not even health insurance. Newer immigrants are also subjected to discrimination. 4) The American Dream 37 Some commentators have considered that “America is not a place. It is a dream.” 38 However, we have to distinguish between the ideal and reality. 39 The 3 values and the prices to be paid for them are ideals. Reality of American life does not necessarily correspond to that. 40 Some people have better chances of success than others (those born in rich families, those who inherit money or win the lottery). Race and gender may also affect success, though the laws provide against that. 41 The American ideals are only partly carried out in real life, yet that does not diminish their importance and people still believe in them and use them in their activity. 42 The six values presented above act as themes to be addressed in discussing religion, family life, education, business, and politics in America. They affect life in the United States and they are guidelines in exploring the many facets of the American character. PLEASE, GIVE THOUGHT TO THE FOLLOWING ISSUES. COMMENT ON THEM: 43 Which are the six values (3 reasons and 3 prices) that are characteristic of the Americans 44 What is the meaning of individual freedom in America? What is the price the Americans have to pay for it? 45 What does equality of opportunity mean? Does it mean all people are equal? What is the price people in America have to pay for the equality of opportunity? Is competition good or bad? 46 What is the significance of material wealth? What is the price one has to pay for that? 47 What is the American Dream? What is the reality of present life in America?