American culture revision

1. Americanculture
UNIT 1. IMMIGRATION & DIVERSITY
1) Melting Pot/ Salad Bowl:
_ Melting Pot: various cultures / people combined into one
_SaladBowl:various cultues/ people mix but still remain specific culture
_ Many are bicultural: consider themselves Americans butalso wish to retain their
original language/ culture.
2) The Establishment of the Dominant Culture:
_ The white population: greater numbers/ money/ political power
_The white population: largely English in origin, Protestant& middle class =>
Dominant culture. Their chareacteristics became the standard for judging other
groups. Thosespeaking a different language: would be disadvantaged unless they
became assimilated
Such Americans referred to WASPs.
_WASPs ( White Anglo-Saxon Protestants)
_ Immigrants with these characteristics would be welcome => give strong support to
the values of the dominant culture.
5) The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s & 1960s:
_ The US Supreme Court declared: racially segregated public school did not provide
equal educational opportunities for black Americans => illegal.
_ Black leaders were encouraged by this decision. They decided to try to end racial
segragation
_ The most important leader: Martin Luther King.
_ His goals: bring about greater assimilationof black people into the larger American
culture. His ideals were largely developed from basic American values.
_ Howerver, some black leaders ( Malcolm X) urged a rejection of basic American
values and complete seperation of blacks from the white culture.
_ He believed that blacks must separate from whites, build their own society.

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6) Race Relations after the Civil Rights Movement:
_ JesseJackson:the first African-American to run for president of the United States
_African-Americans are now mayors of major cities & members of Congress
_ More than 80% of whites say they would vote for a black for President.
_ The bad news: there is still a gulf between the races.
_Half the whites live in the suburbs, only a fourth of the blacks.
_Many blacks are trapped in cycles of poverty, unemployment, violence, despair
_44%of blacks said the problems are due to white discrimination against them.
7) A Universal Nation:
_ The dominant culture & its value system: has roots in white, Protestant , western
Europe.
_ 1920s: Americans decided it was time to close the border to mass immigration.
_ 1965: the U.S made changes:allow more immigrants to come & eliminate older
laws.
_ About 90% are from Asia, Latin America & the Caribean.

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UNIT 3- TRADITIONS OF VALUES &
BELIEFS
_ 21st century: U.S has a greaterdiversity of racial, ethnic, cultural and religious
groups than anyother nation.
_ From the beginningofthe US history: there has been diversity.
_ Historically, the U.S has been viewed as “the land of opportunity” => attracting
immigrantsall over the world.
 Six basic values ( 3 reasons & 3 prices to be paid)that have become
“traditional” American values:
1) Individual freedom <> Self –Reliance
_ The earliest settlers (European societies) came to the North American continent
to ebtablish colonies.
_ 1776: The British colonial settlers declared independence from England and
ebtablished a new nation, the United States of America.
_ The first settlers created a climate of freedom where the emphasis: individual.
_ By freedom : the desire & ability of individuals to control their own destiny
without interference from the government, the church or other organized
authority.
_ The word freedom: one of the most respected words in U.S.
 However, a price to be paid: Self-reliance.
_ Individuals must learn to rely on themselves or risk losing freedom => achieving
both financial and emotional independence from parents as early as possible (age
18 or 21).
Individualfreedom <> Self-reliance
Equality of Oppoturnity <> Competition
Material Wealth <> Hard Work

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_ Americans believe: They should take care of themselves, solve their own
problems => “Stand on their own two feet”.
_ Most Americans believe they must be self-reliant in order to keep freedom.
_ If they rely too much on the supportof families/ the government / organization
=> lose some of their freedom to do what they want.
_ To be in the mainstream of American life / have power, respect => individuals
must be seen as self-reliant.
_ Although receiving financial supportfrom charity family or government is
allowed
 never admired => such individuals are setting a bad example
 weaken the American character (many people believe).
2)Equality of Oppoturnity <> Competition
_ The second resonwhy immigrants have been drawn to U.S
 the belief that everyone has a chance to succeed here.
_ In “the old country”: their place in life was determined largley by social classes in
which they were born.
_ It is important to understand what most Americans mean equality of oppoturnity.
Do not mean: everyone is or should be equal ×
Mean: each individual should have an equal chancefor success ۷
_ Americans see much of life as a race for success
 ensures that the race is a fair one and that a person does win not just
because he/she was born into a wealthy family , or lose because of race of
religion

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 A price to be paid: Competition
_ If much of life is seen as a race => a personmust run the race to succeed , must
compete with others.
_ People who like to compete or more successful than others are honored by being
called: winners.
_ Those: do not like to compete and are not successful : losers.
 especially true for men , and is becoming more and more true for women.
_ The pressure of competition
. begin in chilhood
. continue until retirement
 Learning to compete successfully is part of growing up in U.S
(encouraged by strong programs of competitive sports provided by public
schools & community groups).
_ The pressure to compete causes Americans to be energetic, butalso places a
constant emotionalstrain.
_ When retire => feel useless and unwanted in a society giving prestige to those who
compete well.
 Reason why older people in U.S do not have as much honor and respectas
they have in other countrie
3) Material Health Work <> Hard Work
_ The third reason why immigrants have been drawn to U.S: to raise their standard
of living.
_ Because of its abundantnaturalresources , U.S appeared to be called “land of
plenty”
 millions could come to seek their fortune.
_ Even if they were not able to achieve the economic success, they could be fairly
certain that their children would have the opportunity for a better life.
_ The phrase “going from rags to riches”:a slogan for the Great American Dream.

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_the word “Materialism”:placing a high value on material possessions
_ Americans do not like to be called materialistic because they feel this accuses them
of loving only material things and having no religious values.
 A Price to be paid: Hard Work
_ The North American continent was rich in naturalresources but all these were
undeveloped.
 Only by hard work could these resources be converted into material
possessions.
_ Hard work has been both necessary and rewarding formost Americans.
_ There has been a decline in high-paying jobs for factory workers.
_ Nowadays: difficult for the average workers to go “from rags to riches”
_ As the U.S competes in a global economy
 many workers are losing their own jobs
 work longer hours for less money and fewer benefits.
no longer believe hard work brings material rewards.
CONCLUSION:
_ In understanding the relationship between what Americans believe and how they
live, it is important to distinguish between idealism and reality.
_ Values suchas equality of opportunity and self-reliane are ideals that may not
describe the reality of American life.
_ For example, equality of oppoturnity, is an ideal that is not always put into practice.
In reality, some p.p have a better chance for success than others.
.Thosewho are born into rich families have better chances.
. Many black Americans have fewer opportunities than white American
.Many women have feweroppoturnities than men
. Many immigrants today have fewer opportunities than who came before.

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UNIT 4. GOVERNMENT
The national government is divided into 3 separate branches, based on the belief that
if any one part or branch of government has all, or even most of the power, it will
become a threat tp the freedom of individual citizens.
3 branches
Legislative Executive Judicial
Senate House of President Supreme Court
Representatives
(435 representatives divided among 50 states)
_ The legislative/lawmaking is called the Congress
. fire the President
. dismiss the bills/laws suggested by President ( if 2/3 votes agree).
_ The President ( chief execuitive):
. carry out laws
. summon the Congress
. appoints the Judge of the Supreme Court.
_ The Supreme Court: settles disputes
 If any one of the three abuses its power, the other two may join togetherto stop
it, through a system of Checks & Balances(limit the power of 3 branches)
 The Constitution is careful in balancing the powers of Legislative & Executive
branches because the two are the most powerful.
 In almost every important area of governmental activity ( power to make laws,
declare war,etc), the Constitution gives each of these two branches enough
power to prevent the other from acting on its own.

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_ The President and bothhouses of Congress have almost complete political
independence from each other becausethey are all chosenin separate elections
. the election of Congress doesn’t determine who will be President
. the presidential election doesn’t determine who will be elected to either house
of Congess.
_ It is Important to note that the elections of the members of the two house of
Congress are separate from each other => the Republicians may controlone
house, while the Democrats may control the other.
Both two must agree on all legislation, hower, before it becomes law.
_ Observers from other countries often confused by the American system
. The national government often speak with 2 conflicting voices ( that of the
President & that of the Congress).
_ Although the American system strikes many observers with inefficient &
disorganised, most Americans still strongly believe for 2 reasons:
. the ability to meet challenges of the past
. strong protection to individual freedom.
_ The Constitution included a Bill of Rights => protectspecific individual rights &
freedom from government interference ( freedom of speechor religion)

9. Americanculture
UNIT 5. EDUCATION
1) The Establishment of Public school in
America:
_ Educational institutions in the U.S reflect the nation’s basic values, especially the
ideal of equality of oppoturnity => From elementary through college, Americans
believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to get a good education.
_ When establised the basic system of public schools, Americans reaffirmed the
principle of quality by making schools opento all classes of
Americans.
financing the schools with money collected
from citizens.
_ P.p believed that these insitutions would help reduce social class distinctions by
educating children of all classes in the same “commonschools”.
_ American public education had a strong practicalcontent including
the teaching of vocationalskills
the duties of citizenship
 Public education gave Americans not only the desire to better themselves
but also gave them practical tools to do so.
2) The Educational Ladder:
_ Americans view the public schoolsystem – an educational ladder.
_ Most children

10. Americanculture
. start schoolat age 5 ( kindergarten) or age 3 ( pre-schoolprograms)
. elementary ( 6 years ) & middle school( 2 years) & high school( 4 years).
_ After high school, most students go to college
. undergraduate studies -> bachelor’s degree
. bachelor’s degree -> professional studies ( law, medicine,..) & graduate studies
(master’s & doctoraldegrees).
_ American public school: free & open to all at the elementary & secondarylevel
but public universities: charge tuition & have competitive entrance
requirements.
_ In U.S: no separate educational system between the wealthy & the masses. Just
one system open to all.
_ Some chooseto attend private schools ( associated with churches & receive financial
supportfrom them, parents pay tuition. Purpose:give religious instruction to children.
_ There are also some elite private schools –=> serve upper-chass children / pay high
tuition.
 There is another inequality in the America education system
_ Because of the way that schools are funded, the education quality varies greatly:
. Schooldistricts that have middle class or wealthy family have more tax money to
spend on education.
. Wealthier schooldistricts have beautiful schoolbuildings <> Poorerhave older with
less equipment.
FIGURES:
. More than 90% of the money for schools comes from the local level ( cities &
counties).
. The amount of money spent on education: varies $7000 per child / wealthy surburb -
> $12000 / inner-city school.

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3) Attending an American University:
_ Money: an increasingly factor in a college education.
_ All university students must pay tuition expenses in the U.S. There are a number
of financial aid programs in the form of loans and scholarships available at both
public & private schools.
However, the expenses of buying books & living away from home make it
difficult to attend university.
_ Many students must work during their college years to help meet the cost.
_ Students who cannotafford to go away to college => attend community college
programs for 2 years.
4) The Money Value of Education:
_ The belief in U.S: the more schooling p.p have, the more money they will earn
when they leave school.
_ In recent years, there has been a change in the job market.
. In the past: possibile to get a high-paying factory job without a college
education (immigrants)
. However, the advert of new technologies => more education is required.
Many of the new jobs require a college education / graduate degree <> low-
paying jobs in the service sector( fast-food restaurants, small stores, hotels…)
5) Educating the Individual:
_ American schools tend to put more emphasis on developing criticalthinking
skills.

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_ Students encouraged to express their own opinions & think for themselves.
_ The goal of American education system: teach to children how to learn and to
help them reach their maximum potential.
_ The developmentof social & interpersonal skills= the developmentof
intellectualskills.
_ To help develop the other important skills, schools’veadded extracurricular
activities ( activities outside classroom).
_ Grades on high schoolcourses & scores on tests: very important & so are the
outside activities.
. Team sports ( football, baseball….): important because they teach “winning
spirit”.
. Student government: designed to develop competitive, politicial & social
skills.
_ There are clubs and activities for every student interest ( art, music, drama,
debate…)=
6) The Increasing Responsibilities of Public
Schools
_ Americans place the weight of many of their ideals, hopes, problems on the
nation’s public schoolsystem.
_ Public schooloften expected to solve student problems.
_The education of new immigrant children provides the public schoolsystem some
challenges
_ Many children come from countries where they have not had strong
educational preparation, academic skills: low
_ All children must learn English (immigrant child took 5-7 years to compete with
English-speaking American children)
7) The Standard Movement:
_ International comparisons of education: American students do not perform as
well in math, science as many other developed countries.

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 The federal government has set national goals for education
_ To ensure that standards are met, many states now require students to pass a series
of examinations in such subjects ( reading, writing…) before they can graduate from
high school.
8) Multicultural Education:
_ The changing populations of students in American schools has brought some
changes in what is taught at school.
. Ethnic & racial minorities have criticized schools & textbooks for focusing too
muchon the literature & historical events of Anglo-Europeans or white males =>
ignored the contributions of African-Americans, Latinos & Native Americans.
_ During the 1990s, schools began to examine seriouslytheir curricular
_ Many schools have adopted
history or social studies textbooks including more info about African-
American
American literature texts including poetry & fiction written by
Americans of all ethnic background.
UNIT 6. FAMILY
1) Family Structures:
_ If Americans asked to name the members of their families, married American
aldults:
. name their husband/wife & their children => “immediate family”
. name their father, sisters… => define them as “separate units – living in separate
households.
. aunts, uncles, cousins…. => “extended family”.
_ In 1950s: 70% American households : “classic American family” – husband/wife/2
children.
. father – breadwinner ; mother –homemaker

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_ But In 1990s: only 8%
_ Factors: . Young people are marrying & having children later in life, some choose
not to have children at all
. People are living longer after their children are grown & they often end
up alone
. High rate of divorce.
2) The Emphasis on Individual Freedom:
_ Americans view the family as a group with purpose: advancethe happinessof
individual.
_ Family name & honor are less important.
_ American family is rarely self- supporting
Ex: A farmer’son is likely to go college , leave the farm , take a different job in
different location.
_ Americans do not like to have controls placed on them by other family members.
3) Marriage & Divorce:
_ Marriages are not arranged.
_ Young p.p can find a husband/wife on their own = > Parents have little control
_ Americans believe p.p should fall in love & decide to marry s.o so they can live
happily.
_ The most important value: companionship / economic support…:less important.
_ If the couple not happy => get a divorce easily in most parts of America.
_ Some states have “no-fault” divorce ( neither has fault).
_ Divorce: nowadays so common that it is no longer unacceptable, children: not
embarrassed to say their parents are divorced.
4) Equality in the Family:
_ The belief in quality: strong.

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_ There is less respect/fear of the father but more affection => much more equality
between parents & children.
_ In fact, some Americans are worried that there is too much democracyin the home.
_ Some parents seem to have little or no control the behavior of their teenage children.
_ Americans give their young p.p a lot of freedom => independent & self-reliant.
_ Age 18: “leave the nest”, go to college or get a job to supportthemselves.
_ “boomerang kids”: those are unable to find jobs supporting the lifestyle they have
grown up & chooseto move back with their parents for a time.
UNIT 7. LEISURE TIME
1) Sports & American Values:
_ 3 most popular organised sports:football, basketball, baseball.
_ Women’sports :growing in popularity & have more funding & supportthan in the
past.
_ Americans believe: learning how to win helps develop the habits to compete
successfully in later life.
_ Amateur athletics: teach young people traditional American values
_ Professional sports:provide an example to inspire the young to take part in
organised sports.
_ Organised sports:“ the national religion”.
_ Sports is education.
2) Competition carried to an Extreme ?
_ Although sports in the U.S are glorified by many, there are others critical: An
excessive desire to win can weakenrather than strenghthen traditional American
values.
_ When the idea of winning is carried to excess: honorable competition can turn into
disorder & violence.

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_ Most people still say that competiton in organised sports does more to strenghthen
the national character than to corrupt it.
_Another criticism: players & team owners gettoo much money, while fans have to
pay more & more for tickets. Ex: Basketball, baseball stars get multi-million-dollar
contracts similar to movie stars.
3) Recreation: A Time for Self – Improvement
_ Americans prefer recreation that requires high level of physical activity
_ 3 fastest growing aldult recreational sports:jogging/running, tennis, snow kiing.
_ “We like to work hard & play hard” : a well-known expression.
_ Long-distance marathon races: so popular that organisers have to limit the number.
Few expect to win – most just want to finish the race.
_ People say they find them relaxing becausethe activity is different from the kind
they do in the world of work ( indoor office work).
_Interest & participation in cultural activities (going to symphony concerts, visit
museums, hear lectures) : improve people’s minds or skills : also popular.
_ Many also enjoy hobbies ( weaving, candle making,etc).
4) Health & Fitness:
_ Not all Americans are physically fit.
_ Study shows: less than half of Americans exercise in their leisure time – they just
don’tdo it.
_ Television news programs urge people to eat more vegetables & warn of the dangers
of high-fat diets, high cholesterol levels.
_ Americans say: they pay attention to the nutritional content of food but also they
eat they want.
_ Experts say: a combination of social, cultural, psychological factors.
_ Americans eat largerportions
_ Another factor: Americans’ love of fastfood. They are consuming more& more
hamburgers, french fries becausethey like them & cheap.

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_ Another factor: Americans’ busy lifestyle. It takes time to prepare fresh vegetables
and fish, stopping at KFC on the way home from work is a much faster
alternative.
5) The Impact of Television:
_ As Americans have gotten heavier as a population, the image of beautiful woman:
much slimmer.
_ Television shows, commercials feature: slender actressess.
_ Beer/ soft drink commercials: thin girls in bikinis.
 many teenage girls have become insecure about bodies & obessedwith
losing weight.
_ The more people watch TV, the less they exercise.
_ “couch potatoes”: p.p spend much free time lying on the couchwatching TV.
_ The average family TV set: 6 hours/ day.
_ Children watching TV programs, videotapes: 4-5 hours/ day.
_ Many aldults worried about the impact of TV on the nation’s children. Many
children are not getting as much exercise as they should, do not spend enough time
reading => lower their ability to achieve in school.
_ Recent study: too much sex& violence.
_ Public television provides many educational shows, but most people (children)
spend their majority of time watching commercial television.
_ Some argue parents are responsible but how ? Children often watch are either not
in the room or at home.
_ The popularity of home computers & “surfing the net” has brought the whole new
world of leisure-time activities to Americans. Some value the oppoturnities it brings,
while others prefer spending their time in “chat room”, communicating with friends or
family, playing computer games.
_ Computers are so extremely popular. Now parents have to worry about monitoring
the computer in addition to monitoring the TV.