Summary:
Examines American values and discusses important considerations when travelling in the United States.
What are the American values? What do they value in life"
The first thing that came to mind when considering the above question was the American dream of being rich. Then I reconsidered and thought about the ideals of having a perfect family...or was it as simple as to do absolutely nothing and still experience success"
I guess I learned at one point that the American values are values such as pride, integrity, honour, success, peace, freedom and hope.
Personally I believe the American dream and values mean different things to different people, but they might have the same goal. Differences in wealth and status affect the meaning of the dream for different people. I believe what we value is what we are, and what we protect
But to understand the American way of thinking I believe it is important to take a step backwards in time, to the 4th of July 1776 and America's most famous document, the Declaration of Independence which contains words that many Americans know by heart such as
"All men are created equal." Personally I am not sure the signatories of the Declaration of Independence took this phrase "all men are created equally" literally, after all they still continued to allow black slavery. Today there is no slavery but still there are some race issues in some of the states and the civil rights movement continues to work against racism. Unfortunately there still remains much to do. This is undoubtedly in strong contrast to the fundamental value of liberty - or freedom.
Another key American value is individualism and its political expression, democracy.
I believe Americans think of themselves first as individuals and only second as member of groups such as ethnic group, social class, local community or family. This extreme emphasis on individualism reflects the importance of individual rights summarised in the words of the nation's founders. I also believe the development of industrial capitalism reinforced this with its opportunities for individual success and wealth.
Americans have a strong belief in competition and in the free enterprise system. You get ahead by competing with others rather than cooperating with them.
If competition is so valued, what happens to the idea of equality"
I don't think Americans believe in absolute equality, but in equality of opportunity. Everyone should have an equal chance to succeed. If they do, it will be because of their hard work, because the system in itself is fair.
America has always been, and continues to be a nation of immigrants. Immigrants in time give up their native language, their ethnic customs (except for food...), and in the second or third generation often marry someone of another ethnic group.
There is a price paid for economical success, some loss of family, group or ethnic history, which can lead to a sense of "rootlessness." Still the immigration is a major shaper of American life. Americans come from different origins, and this has contributed to tolerance, open space and open economy.
I believe the Americans are more future-oriented, I think they prefer to look forward rather than backwards. I guess that can work in some ways when the future is clear, it works less when the future is unclear.
My understanding of the American values is that there is less value placed on what one owes to others as a matter of moral obligation. Less value placed on symbols of correct behaviour. Less value placed on observing society's rules. Less value placed on sacrifice as a good moral, replaced by more pragmatic criteria of when sacrifice is required for economical reasons. Less moral value placed on "morally correct" sexual behaviour. High value placed on the differences in ethnicity and lifestyle. High value placed on forms of choice and individualism that express one's unique inner nature. High value placed on technological solutions to a vast array of problems and challenges. High value placed on family life. High value placed on one's own responsibility for maintaining and enhancing health. And finally a high value placed on women's rights, women achieving self-fulfilment by paths of their own choice rather than through roles dictated by society.
The USA is not a dangerous place!
When visiting USA there are some things you should be aware of. I will give you some tips on where and what to do. First of all you have to learn about the different types of transportation available in the US, including everything from planes and trains to hitch-hiking. Learn how to find the best way to get from here to there. Find out how to sleep on a budget in the USA. Whether you plan to stay in a Hotel, a B&B or a camp - ground. Do not camp on private land and do not camp beside the highway. You can be arrested for camping on private property, or even worse - the property owner could shoot you. Private property in the United States of America is very private indeed. American food is very different from what most travellers expect. Learn what common food is really like. Contrary to popular belief, the United States is not a dangerous country; however it is important to know how to stay safe. All over the world there are cities with "good" and "bad" areas. Talk to the locals to get an idea of where the "bad" areas are located and avoid them especially at night. Some visitors to the United States will need a visa. Find out how to obtain a visa and learn what type of visa you will need for your journey, because there are various types of visa. If you are going to drive in the USA, remember that each of the 50 states has its own set of traffic laws and regulations.
Drive safely and have a pleasant journey!
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