2. Cultural Influences of the United States
The United States is a western culture made up of many
cultures. The United States is considered by many a “melting
pot.” The culture can be described as high on the
individualistic.
(SYLVIA XIAOHUA CHENHUI, N. M., 2006)
(Lyon, 1997)
3. Cultural Influences of Australia
Australia is a western culture made up of several
cultures, thus a diverse culture. Australia prides on
being an egalitarianism society that welcomes ideas.
(Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, 2012)
(Sands, 2009)
4. Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
The United States
Population of the United States
5% 1.70%
Caucian
13% Hispanics
17% Black
63%
Asian
Native Amerian
Nearly half of all employed Americans are
women
Six out of every ten women work outside the
home
(Culturegrams, 2013)
5. Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Australia
Total Population of Australia
1%
7%
Caucasian
Asian
Aborigines
92%
Women make up 40% of the workforce
Women make fairly equal pay as men
(Culturegrams, 2013)
6. Family, Religion, and Education
United States
Religions
Other or none
Jewish
Roman Catholic
Protestant
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Over 80% have a religious belief
39% attend church regularly
(Culturegrams, 2013)
7. Both the United States and Australia began with
Capitalistic Economic Systems, but are now
Mixed Economies
Australia United States
Unemployment Rate Unemployment Rate
5.2% 8.2%
Public Debt 26.9% Public Debt 73.6%
CDP Growth Rate CDP Growth Rate
3.3%
2.2%
Inflation Rate 2.1%
Inflation Rate 2.0%
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2013)
8. Australia’s Mixed Economy
Labor Force by Occupation
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Farming, Forestery, ect. Manufacturing Professional Fields
Australia is fairly Self-Sufficient in
food production
60% of exports go to Pacific Nations
& Asia
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2013)
9. The United States Mixed Economy
Labor Force by Occupation
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Farming, Forestery, ect.Manufacturing Professional Fields
Sales Including ServiceOther Services
Largest Most Powerful Economy in the
World
Most Technically Advanced Country in the
World
(Central intelligence Agency, 2013)
10. Crime Rates by Ranking
of 82 Countries
Australia The United States
Assault Victims 4th Assault Victims 11th
Car Theft 8th Car Theft 1st
Gun Violence 21st Gun Violence 7th
Jailed 14th Jailed 5th
Murders by Youth 38th Murders by Youth 3rd
Rape Victims 5th Rape Victims 13th
(World Statistics , 2013)
11. Trends in Crime
United States
Over 60% Recidivism
Family Violence Accounts for 11% of the Total
Crime Rate
69% of Persons Committing Violent Crimes are
White Males
Native American Indians are Experiencing Violent
Crime at the Greatest Rates
(The United States Department of Justice, 2013)
12. Trends in Crime
Australia
56% Recidivism Rate
Indigenous Children are Significantly
Overrepresented in Recorded Child Abuse and
Neglect Matters and this is do to
Socioeconomic Disadvantages and Substance
Abuse
87% of men who say they were sexually
assaulted claim it was by a woman
(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013)
13. References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013, February). Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved
from http://www.abs.gov.au/
Lyon, D. (Photographer) and Magnum Photos(Publisher). (1997). USA. Crowpoint, New
Mexico. 1997. Contestants. Eastern Navajo Trival Fair. (NYC49151)[Photograph].
Retrieved from http://elibrary.bigchalk.com
People, culture and lifestyle - About Australia - Australian Government Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade. (2012, February). People, Culture and Lifestyle - About Australia -
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved from
http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/people_culture.html
SANDS, N. (Photographer) and Getty Images(Publisher). (2009). TO GO WITH AFP STORY
"Australia-environment-native-Aborigine...[Photograph]. Retrieved from
http://elibrary.bigchalk.com
14. References
Site Policies. (2013, February). †” Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved February 28, 2013, from
https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/site-policies/index.html
Subscriber Area Only. (2013, February). In CultureGrams Online Database:. Retrieved February
26, 2013, from http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=8
The 2012 Statistical Abstract. (2012). - U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2012, from
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
The United States Department of Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2013, from
http://www.justice.gov
Use", ". A. (2013, February). World Statistics, Country Comparisons. NationMaster.com. Retrieved
February 28, 2013, from http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php
Editor's Notes
When European settlers first landed in the new world, they wiped out much of the Native American population. Like Australia, this was accomplished by means of war and disease. Today, Native Americans make up 1.7% of the total population of the United States (U. S. Census Bureau, 2012). Unlike the Australians, Americans are frank and outspoken. They value innovation, independence, industry, and integrity. They strive to “live the American Dream.” It is believed that no matter what a person’s background, if they work hard and are ambitious, they can become anything (Culturegrams, 2013).
Similar to the United States, European settlers wiped out most of the indigenous population. This happened by means of war and disease. Today, the Aborigines people make up 1% of the total population (Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2012). Even though this number is small, the Aborigine culture has influence on the country and the history. Australians are very proud of their heritage. They value tolerance and fairness. Also, these people value hard work, being on time, and they are very friendly. Most Australians appreciate material things and love to enjoy life. Recent drought and climate change, like many Americans, have made them conscious of environmental issues (Culturegrams, 2013).
The United States ranks 47th out of 146 countries in Gender Inequality Index. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, opportunities in the workforce are the fastest growing for minorities. It is true that minorities are not represented well in all occupations, however, equal opportunity laws are creating fairness in the workplace (United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2011).
Australia ranks 18th out of 146 in Gender Inequality Index (Culturegrams, 2013). Unlike the United States, Australia is predominantly Caucasian. While women have pushed for rights in the workplace, not as much has been done to benefit minorities. When looking at data provided from the United States, it is easy to define and understand the opportunities for minorities. However, the data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics seems to focus only as women as a minority.
Religion is more an important part of daily life in the United States. The traditional American family consisted of two children living with a father and mother, however, that is changing. There are more single-parent homes, same sex homes, and unmarried couples having children is on the rise. In fact, nearly one third children are born out of wedlock. About 16% of the population are living as extended families and family is still extremely important. More women than men receive higher education. Like in Australia, education is compulsory from ages 5-16. Students attend school at least 12 years. About 79% of Americans graduate and many at least begin college. Education is supported by taxes, thus it is not equal. Some students do attend private or chartered schools and some students are home schooled. The United States offers some of the best colleges and universities in the world (Culturegrams, 2013).
The currency is the Australian dollar. Australia has a vast amount of mineral deposits and other resources. They are a world supplier of beef and wool. As far as the labor force, there is a large and diverse service sector. Manufacturing and service industry contribute as much to the economy and exports as does farming. Australia is one of the fastest countries recuperating from the slumping economy (Culturegrams, 2013).
The currency is the American dollar. The United States is among the wealthiest countries in the world. However, there is a huge gap between wealthy and poor Americans. In fact, that gap continues to widen. The United States is service oriented. There are a lot of investments outside the country. There is also a great deal of demand for United States products. This is especially true in the entertainment world. The housing market continues to struggle (Culturegrams, 2013).
When looking for definitions of various crimes, it is the same for the United States and Australia. In both countries, crimes such as violent crimes, property crimes, and sexual assault are decreasing. In both countries, males are more likely to be violators of crime and victims of crime. Murders and abductions occur more often in community locations (The United States Department of Justice, 2013) (Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2013).
Acts of terrorism have changed security measures in the United States. Also, the advancements in technology allows the interconnectedness of the world. This interconnectedness is allowing criminal activity. While violent crime is decreasing, technology related crimes are increasing (The United States Department of Justice, 2013).
This month, The Australian Institute of Criminology released their annual report. The homicide rate it at a record low. Interestingly, the weapon of choice, is a knife. Homicides as a knife as the weapon is up while homicides committed with a firearm, is down. While the exact statistics were given, like the United States, a great deal of homicides result from family violence. Even with violent crime declining, public safety is important.
