The document discusses key aspects of American culture, including:
1. Immigration and diversity have contributed to both a "melting pot" where cultures combine and a "salad bowl" where they remain distinct. Many Americans have a bicultural identity.
2. The dominant white Protestant culture influenced social standards until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s-60s challenged racial segregation led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
3. Core American values include individual freedom and self-reliance, equality of opportunity and competition, and material wealth through hard work. These values are balanced with responsibilities but do not always match reality, as opportunities are not always equal.
A presentation regarding a topic on the frontier experience of the late Americans. Includes the impact of the American frontier, self-reliance and rugged individualists, American macho heroes, inventiveness and the "can-do" spirit, and equality of opportunity.
A presentation regarding a topic on the frontier experience of the late Americans. Includes the impact of the American frontier, self-reliance and rugged individualists, American macho heroes, inventiveness and the "can-do" spirit, and equality of opportunity.
Nhận viết luận văn Đại học , thạc sĩ - Zalo: 0917.193.864
Tham khảo bảng giá dịch vụ viết bài tại: vietbaocaothuctap.net
Download luận văn đồ án tốt nghiệp ngành ngôn ngữ anh với đề tài: Using greeting gestures in America and Vietnam – The similarities and differences in light of crossculture communication, cho các bạn làm đề tài tham khảo
Danh Sách 200 Đề Tài Khóa Luận Tốt Nghiệp Ngành Ngôn Ngữ Anh đã chia sẻ đến cho các bạn nguồn tài liệu hoàn toàn hữu ích. Nếu các bạn muốn tải bài mẫu này vui lòng nhắn tin ngay qua zalo/telegram : 0932.091.562 để được hỗ trợ tải nhé.
Sự phát triển của ngôn ngữ
I. Quá trình phát triển của ngôn ngữ
Ngôn ngữ bộ lạc và các biến thể
Ngôn ngữ khu vực
Ngôn ngữ dân tộc và các biển thể
Ngôn ngữ văn hoá và các biến thể
Ngôn ngữ cộng đồng tương lai
II. Cách thức phát triển của ngôn ngữ
Bản chất của sự phát triển ngôn ngữ
Sự phát triển không đồng đều giữa các mặt
dẫn luận ngô ngữ học
Nhận viết luận văn Đại học , thạc sĩ - Zalo: 0917.193.864
Tham khảo bảng giá dịch vụ viết bài tại: vietbaocaothuctap.net
Download luận văn đồ án tốt nghiệp ngành ngôn ngữ anh với đề tài: Using greeting gestures in America and Vietnam – The similarities and differences in light of crossculture communication, cho các bạn làm đề tài tham khảo
Danh Sách 200 Đề Tài Khóa Luận Tốt Nghiệp Ngành Ngôn Ngữ Anh đã chia sẻ đến cho các bạn nguồn tài liệu hoàn toàn hữu ích. Nếu các bạn muốn tải bài mẫu này vui lòng nhắn tin ngay qua zalo/telegram : 0932.091.562 để được hỗ trợ tải nhé.
Sự phát triển của ngôn ngữ
I. Quá trình phát triển của ngôn ngữ
Ngôn ngữ bộ lạc và các biến thể
Ngôn ngữ khu vực
Ngôn ngữ dân tộc và các biển thể
Ngôn ngữ văn hoá và các biến thể
Ngôn ngữ cộng đồng tương lai
II. Cách thức phát triển của ngôn ngữ
Bản chất của sự phát triển ngôn ngữ
Sự phát triển không đồng đều giữa các mặt
dẫn luận ngô ngữ học
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
Francesca Gottschalk - How can education support child empowerment.pptxEduSkills OECD
Francesca Gottschalk from the OECD’s Centre for Educational Research and Innovation presents at the Ask an Expert Webinar: How can education support child empowerment?
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp Network
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.
2. Americanculture
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.
3. Americanculture
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
4. Americanculture
_ 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
5. Americanculture
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.
6. Americanculture
_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.
7. Americanculture
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.
8. Americanculture
_ 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.
11. Americanculture
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.
12. Americanculture
_ 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.
13. Americanculture
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
14. Americanculture
_ 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.
15. Americanculture
_ 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.
16. Americanculture
_ 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.
17. Americanculture
_ 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.