Slide 1 Basic traditional American values 1 Individual Freedom 2 Self Reliance 3 Equality of Opportunity 4 Equality of Competition 5 Material Wealth 6 Hard Work Individual Freedom • Church and state w[.]
Basic traditional American values Individual Freedom Self-Reliance Equality of Opportunity Equality of Competition Material Wealth Hard Work Individual Freedom • Church and state were separated • Titles of nobility were forbidden • Climate of freedom • Emphasis on the individual The most basic Desire and ability of all individuals to control their own destiny Attracts immigrants Self-Reliance The traditional basic Must learn to rely on themselves risk losing freedom, or respects of the peers Financial and emotional independence from the parents by 18 or 21 Most difficult to understand • If not truly self-reliant, they must at least appear to be so • Receiving financial support from charity, family or government is never admired Equality of Opportunity Attracts generations of immigrants Better chance for personal success • Free from excessive political, religious and social controls • No formal class system Life is a race for success Equal chance to enter the fair race and win Equality of Competition Duty • A person must run the race (compete with each other) in order to succeed • Begin in childhood until retirement • Encouraged by strong programs of competitive sports En er ge ti c Constant emotional strain • May feel useless and unwanted when retired • Compete unsuccessfully won’t fit into the mainstream of American life Material wealth y n a m r o f e u Tr nts a r g i imm American Dream • Abundant natural resources land of plenty seek the fortunes • Raise the standard of living having a better life • If not successful the children would have the opportunity Material Wealth Wealth has been a widely accepted measure of social status, abilities and success Materialistic is an insulting word to say Hard work Should hold jobs and not live off welfare payments ry a s s Nece rding a w e r and • With industry-based economy, the people believed only by hard work could their rich natural resources be converted into material possessions • With information-based society, many workers no longer believe that hard work necessarily bring great material rewards ... losing freedom, or respects of the peers Financial and emotional independence from the parents by 18 or 21 Most difficult to understand • If not truly self-reliant, they must at least appear to be