American Values And Assumptions By Gray Althen

In Edward L. Hudgins article, What is an American?, Hudgins defines an American in ways I had not thought of before. Hudgins stated all these ideas about Americans being driven to do their best and meeting challenges head-on. I would like to think that being an American means everything Hudgins stated, however I think Hudgins is giving the optimistic answer of what being an American means. What Hudgins explains as being an American is what I believe most Americans were like when the country was first founded. The idea of taking risks and working until the risks paid off is one that most Americans do not believe because the possibility of actually achieve one’s dream is extremely less likely today than it was when the country was first established.

The Anglo-Saxons held several different values than what we do today. Some people say they would have fit in better back in those days. However if you look at some of the things the American culture values today, you will see some similar values. Comparing Beowulf to our modern day values several things can be compared and contrasted.

According to the material, Americans are taught that their behaviors and choices made come from within themselves. This particular characteristic asserts the position of individualism. Individualism drives Americans to believing that there is uniqueness about themselves and their situation. The belief of emphasizing a human’s ability to choose is strengthened by American cultural narratives. This belief also leads to the fundamental narrative of American culture: Regeneration through regression.

A question most fascinating to me is where in history does the first hint of American ideals and identities originate from? If we were to look at where the fiery passions of an American identity first arise we have to look to where the colonists first fought for their right to be a recognized citizen of America. American colonists formed their identity through the ideas of liberty, resistance to unfair British jurisdiction, and cultural diversity. Their identities formed between the Seven Years War and the American Revolutionary War as these two events deeply brought out what the colonist’s ideals were and what they fought for so passionately. Between these years 1763 and 1775 we see the first American ideals being born in the colonies. An example of such ideals is the want and need for Liberty. A reason for wanting liberty was that British control suppressed the lives of the people living in America and over time grew harder for colonists to live with. Americans are revered to have a passionate patriotic view of their country and this is true as it is seen throughout history but in my research I will try to explain where these ideals first arose.

Every person believes something different. This is shown throughout religion, rights and politics. Where do we get our beliefs and/or values? Who or what shapes us to be who we are? What do Bryan Stevenson from “We Need to Talk About an Injustice” and Harper Lee from “To Kill a Mockingbird” say where we get them?

“Living on my own and having to pay bills and having to take care of myself, you know, made me into a real adult. Where in high school you still have a lot of growing up to do.” Eggert said when asked about an event that changed her from the person she was in high school to who she is now. It is important to her to always be independent and to be able to think on her own. “ I still have the same values and things that I’m passionate about -- but more so now. I think having children changed my outlook on parenting enormously.” Eggert said. The values my mother holds dear to her, such as parenting, ethics, and political views have stayed, for the most part, consistent through her life. However, she is always accepting to change to accommodate the new world into her

Family Values talks about how children rearing was changed through various books on parenting advice literature. Between 1780 and 1830, middle- class Americans wanted to start a project for child rearing for first generation born Americans after they aquired independence. Shippen and Wayland were both parents that represented the effort Americans were trying to make in rearing their children. They both constantly wrote ways on how to rear children. They both got their ideas on how to rear children by observing their own children and how the parent should act to correct the child’s behavior. Then came along several books and magazines aimed at children on how they should be raised. The purpose of these books was to teach children how to read and write,

In the speech “The Spirit of Liberty”Learned Hand says,”Liberty lies in the heart of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution no law no court can save it; no constitution, no law,no court can even do much help. “ I agree with Hand because if the people think they have no liberty and can never get it they won't fight for liberty. For me to be an American means to have freedom as a whole equality and justice.. The most important Ideals related to being an American is equality, freedom and justice

R.E.M. ....Religious, educational and moral values. These are the three values that affect society today the most, I think. Society may look down on people if they do not live by what society thinks is correct. For example if a persons values are corrupt then society will look down on that person, but if a person has real high morals then society will think that they are fake of just a “goodie”. In society today you will be looked down anyway your moral beliefs are.

His issue was simple. He felt that his mother was not allowing him to become independent or in his words, “grow up.” To his defense, he was correct in his observation. I reasoned with him to talk with his mother in a respectful manner to address his issues with her not allowing him to gain more independence. I also advised the young man to take the initiative in showing his mother how responsible he could be in everyday occurrences. For example, instead of allowing his mother to pick out his clothes and iron them, he could pick out his

It uses the example of two children who become more dependent on their

Claude Mckay was an African American poet originally from Jamaica, and an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance, writing about his experience with racism and the bigoted society in America. America, written by the poet Claude Mckay, was published in the year 1921. The 1920’s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, were a time of great wealth and jubilee before the fall of the economy during the Great Depression at the end of the decade. But underneath this surface of contentment, there was a dark side that Americans did not care to address in society. The Jim Crow laws were in full force and took away many rights of African Americans, ostracizing and belittling them. Claude Mckay was a voice of retaliation against this hatred, and America is all about the duality of Mckay’s feelings towards America. Since Mckay is from Jamaica, he has a unique perspective as an immigrant to a country that is supposed to be welcoming. It’s a constant push and pull between love and hatred of what this country has to offer.

First and foremost, I would like to examine the American culture. In America the idea of individualism is the most prevalent when speaking in terms of raising a child. Most parents will not hold their babies as much as in other cultures, and they place them in rooms of their own to sleep in as Meredith points out in her article. Furthermore, in most cases American parents will simply ignore the cries of their child in order to instill the idea of individualism and self-reliance at a young age. It is my belief that this idea of self-reliance was instill in all Americans within the foundation of our country. Our country is a capitalist nation that if you work hard enough you can do anything you want to, but also whoever is the best will essentially be at the top of this hierarchical system. Therefore, I believe that the reason American parents decide to instill this since of individualism within their children, is in hope that they will remember these values as they continue growing and one day face

I have to ask “Do us American people really understand the way society and the American tradition has transformed over the years?” Do we really? Because to me I don’t think we know the full effect that is currently in place for all the young beautiful children. There has been a significant increase in childhood obesity and other health problems like attention. We as a country cannot be satisfied with kids suffering because of bad parenting. Thanks to Mr. Louv he explains his points very well and that’s why I enjoyed this book so much.

He perceives the child to be dependent on her parents. He indicated that she needs to learn independence from her parents. He does not think the child is independent if her mother attends to school with the child.