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American CultureThe core values of the U.S.LECTURER: DR. SERVET ÇELİK

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What are values, and why are they important?

• What do we mean by values?

• They are the guiding principles that shape the way people behave and act.

• Why do we need to understand them?

• Knowing about the values of a culture helps us make sense of the things that they

do, what they think and believe, and how they see the world.

© 2017 Dr. Servet Çelik. All rights reserved.

Core American Values

• We cannot claim that all Americans hold the same values, or that all Americans

give each of the values listed here the same level of importance.

• However, the basic beliefs and assumptions that are usually associated with

American culture include:

• Individualism and independence;

• Equality of opportunity;

• Religious freedom;

• Hard work;

• Materialism;

• Modernity/progress.


Individualism and Independence

• Individualism and independence are related terms that imply that every

person:

• Has a unique identity and exists as an individual being;

• Has the right to freedom from any kind of coercion, either by other people or by

institutions or governments (Ferguson, 1997);

• Has the right to determine his or her own path in life (Vandello & Cohen, 1999).


Individualism and Independence

• For Americans, these principles mean that…

• They often prefer to “do their own thing” rather than “follow the crowd.”

• They expect to make their own choices about their lives; for instance, parents will not

usually tell their adult children what kind of jobs they should have, whom they should

marry, where they should live, etc.

• Privacy is important – they don’t share everything with everyone.

• This does NOT mean that Americans…

• Only care about themselves;

• Don’t listen to the advice of their family members.

• Don’t talk about personal things with their friends and family.


Equality of Opportunity

• To Americans, equality means that every person:

• Has an equal chance to succeed, no matter their original status in life;

• Deserves dignity and respect, regardless of their current circumstances (Althen, 2011).


Equality of Opportunity

• Characteristics of Americans related to equality of opportunity:

• They are often highly competitive;

• They believe strongly in “fair play;”

• They tend not to call attention to distinctions between people from different

social classes;

• They tend to dress, speak and behave informally on most occasions;

• They believe in the “American Dream” – that any person who works hard enough

can be successful in life.


Talk about it…

Given what you may already know about the U.S., do you think that most Americans really believeall people have the same chance to succeed? What is the difference between “equality” and“equality of opportunity?”


Religious Freedom

• Many of the original European settlers in America came to

escape persecution for their religious views. As a result, the

freedom to practice the religion of one’s choice is strictly

protected by the U.S. Constitution:

• No religion has official status in the U.S. All religions are permitted;

• Every person has the right to practice any religion he or she

chooses (Althen, 2011).


Religious freedom

• American attitudes toward religion:

• Americans generally recognize and accept that others believe differently than

they do;

• Respect for others’ beliefs is expected, but intolerances do exist;

• Many Americans are very uncomfortable talking about religion, except with

others who share their beliefs, in case this leads to open disagreements –

something they prefer to avoid.


Hard Work

• The importance placed on hard work is related to thebelief in equality of opportunity. For Americans, thismeans that:

• Everyone can improve their lives if they work hard enoughfor it;

• Achievement through personal efforts is admired;

• Everyone is responsible for their own successes or failures;

• People who work hard are respected more than those whodo not;

• People who do not work are sometimes seen as less moral,as lazy, or as unintelligent (Jay, n.d.).


Materialism

• Material wealth is seen as the natural consequence of hard work – the reward for

their achievement (Çelik, 2015);

• Individuals have a right to the wealth that they have worked to acquire, as well

as a right to enjoy it as they like.


Materialism

• Characteristics of Americans related to materialism:

• They are typically proud of their belongings and view driving a nice

car, wearing fashionable clothing, living in a comfortable home,

travelling, etc. as material signs of their success;

• On the other hand, “showing off” and obvious displays of wealth are

seen as distasteful;

• In spite of the importance they place on material possessions, most

Americans will strongly object to being called materialistic.


Modernity/Progress

• Americans strongly value progress and believe that humanity is constantly moving in a linear direction

toward a better future;

• Innovation is often emphasized over tradition;

• The past is not viewed as having much impact on the future (Jay, n.d.).

• Characteristics of Americans related to modernity and progress:

• What is old is often viewed as inferior to what is new;

• From a young age, children are encouraged to set goals and work toward them. People who do not have goals

and who “lack direction” may be seen as weak and unambitious;

• There is a tendency for people to want to improve themselves through self-help, therapy, exercise, spiritualism

and so on.


Now watch

• Some of our KTU students had some questions about American culture. Many of

these questions are related to the values we have discussed.

• We asked some Americans to answer them.

• Here is what they had to say!


References

• Althen, G. (2011). American ways. Yarmouth, England: Intercultural Press.

• Çelik, S. (2015). American dreams, American realities: An introduction to

American culture. Manuscript in preparation.

• Ferguson, R. A. (1997). The American Enlightenment, 1750-1820.

Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

• Jay, G. (n.d.). Do Americans share a common culture? Retrieved from

https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/gjay/www/Multicult/CommonCulture.pdf

• Vandello, J. A., & Cohen, D. (1999). Patterns of individualism and

collectivism across the United States. Journal of Personality and Social

Psychology, 77(2), 279-292.


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