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ETHIC AND RACIAL DIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES
Melting pot and Salad Bowl
1.1 The reality of the cultural mixture in the U.S
The population of the United States includes a number of different ethnic groups coming from many races, nationalities, and religions The process by which these many groups have been made a part of a common cultural life with commonly shared values is called assimilation.
Since 1776, the US has seen a lot of racial and ethnic assimilation Whites from different national and religious backgrounds have gradually been assimilated into the larger American culture Many people in the US are bicultural, as they have a strong feeling of ethnic pride, along with a sense of being a part of the larger American culture For instance, Jews have a strong sense of ethnic pride but also identify as Americans The United States of America is known for its cultural diversity, which is a result of its history of immigration
Due to its long history of immigration, the country has been referred to as both a "salad bowl" culture, where each culture retains its distinct identity, and a "melting pot," where different cultures are combined into one American culture In reality, the
US is a blend of these two concepts New York City is a prime example of a melting pot and salad bowl culture in the US This "city that never sleeps" has more than 36% of its residents born outside the United States and speaks more than 170 languages, but its culture still holds its own but is not insoluble.
The concept of a “melting pot” has been used to describe the assimilation of ethnicities, races, and other identities into the larger American culture Various racial and ethnic groups have been combined into one culture in the US As such, it is often seen as a way to promote unity and national identity This concept is linked to the idea of the "American Dream" where people from all over the world can come to the United States and find acceptance and opportunity
Today, the United States is often referred to as a “melting pot” culture due to a large number of immigrants from different countries who have come to live and work there This has led to a blending of different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, which has enriched American society and influenced its diverse food, music, art, and literature.
For example, Mexican tacos have become a popular street food in the United States, and many people from Mexican-American communities have shared their traditional recipes and cooking techniques with others Similarly, Indian cuisine has also become increasingly popular, with dishes like curry and naan bread now widely available in many restaurants across the country
In addition to food, other cultural traditions such as music, dance, and dress have also been incorporated into American society The popularity of salsa and bachata music, for instance, is a testament to the influence of Latino culture on American music Traditional clothing from around the world has also become more widely accepted, with people wearing clothing from different countries as a way to celebrate their ethnic heritage or simply embrace a more global perspective Or non- Christian families who do not celebrate Christmas still partake in the exchange of gifts on this holiday This is an example of a "melting pot" culture that happens in the US, where different cultures come together to celebrate a common tradition
The melting pot culture has helped to create a uniquely American identity that values diversity and inclusivity
Some people are inclined to see the United States as a "salad bowl," where the various groups have remained somewhat distinct and different from one another,creating a richly diverse country For example, Indian-Americans still celebrateDiwali; and Mexican-Americans still celebrate the Day of the Dead There are various cuisines available in the country, such as Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and Indian food.Additionally, the country celebrates a wide range of holidays and festivals from different cultures, such as St Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Diwali Furthermore,there are communities across the United States where people of different ethnicities and religions live together and share their traditions and customs
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The “salad bowl” metaphor is often seen as a way to promote diversity and allows individuals to have a sense of pride in their heritage while still feeling part of the larger nation This concept is linked to the idea of multiculturalism, where individuals are free to express their cultures and identities, and everyone is seen as part of the same nation
The United States has long been a nation of immigrants, and both the “melting pot” and “salad bowl” metaphors are applicable to understanding the American experience Immigration has been a key factor in the development of the country, and the assimilation of different cultures into the larger American culture has helped shape the nation At the same time, the idea of multiculturalism and the celebration of diversity has made the United States a vibrant and interesting place to live Both of these concepts are important in understanding the American experience, and both have contributed to the success and growth of the nation
Vietnam is both a melting pot and a salad bowl
One of the reasons that many people refer to Vietnam as a “salad bowl” or a
“melting pot” is because of its history of colonization and immigration by different countries over time: the French colonial period, or the American War During the French colonization period from 1858-1954, the French introduced Catholicism, architecture, and language to the Vietnamese people This colonization period also saw an influx of Chinese immigrants, many of whom settled in the north of the country The Chinese influence on Vietnamese culture can be seen in the language, architecture, and cuisine.
During the American War, many people immigrated to Vietnam to escape persecution in their homelands This resulted in a large population of refugees from countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines The presence of these refugees in the country has further enriched the culture of Vietnam.
As a melting pot, Vietnam's culture has been shaped by the influences of many different cultures and religions, including Chinese, Indian, and French The variety of these influences has created a unique and diverse cultural identity in Vietnam văn hóa kinh doanh 100% (1) Vhkd - nothing văn hóa kinh doanh 100% (1)11
Vietnamese culture is heavily influenced by its Chinese neighbors, with a variety of religions, such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, playing an important role in the country's cultural identity Chinese language, literature, and architecture can still be seen today in many parts of Vietnam The country has also been greatly influenced by Indian culture, particularly Hinduism and the Indian writing system These influences have been seen in the literature and art of Vietnam, as well as its cuisine
African Americans Experience
2.1 The enslavement of African Americans in the U.S
2.1.1 How were African Americans brought into the U.S?
It was 1619 that the privateer The White Lion brought 20 African slaves from the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia The event was believed to be the beginning of the enslavement of African Americans in the U.S Throughout the 18th century, there were about 6-7 million enslaved people imported to America Slave labour played different parts and worked different jobs in the U.S In the North, they were used as a cheaper, more plentiful workforce Whereas, in the South, they became the basis of the economy: they mainly worked on tobacco, indigo plantations, and rice along Chesapeake Bay colonies of Maryland and Virginia south to Georgia 2.1.2 Americans’ attitude towards enslavement.
After the American Revolution in 1776, in the North- where slavement played a minor role in agriculture, people called for slavement’s abolition However, there was a minority of whites who held this opinion They supposed the enslavement was totally opposed to the basic values of the Americans which was individual freedom and it should be abandoned In contrast, the rest of northern whites supported enslavement They strongly believed that individual freedom and equality of opportunity should be only given to the whites Yet, at the same time, they were afraid that slave labour in the South would, one day, dominate their economy if they were allowed to move into the frontier religions of the West, the poor and middle-income whites had to fight for their work and lower their social status For this reason, even though Northern businessmen made a large fortune from trading enslaved labour and investment in plantations of the South, slavery was never widely spreaded here
On the other hand, enslaved people in the South accounted for one-third of the southern population They lived on large plantations or small farms Plantation agriculture was the centre of the economy at that time and all enslaved Africans worked in this field In addition, slave labour was underpaid or unpaid, those owners of plantations wanted to make the most of it They hired more enslaved workforce rather than cut down on them to expand their business As a result, black slavery became the backbone of the South economy
Eventually, there was a complete contradiction between the North and the South which led to the Civil War in 1861.
The northern whites considered the extension of slavery to new territories had been a subject of national political controversy since the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 as a threat to their country; they worried that the slavery would be a hazard to their rights and their country Whilst the southern people thought the north was determined to destroy its way of life Therefore, the south wanted to secede and form its own new nation which relied on black slavery After winning his election, President AbrahamLincoln desired to unite the U.S Since he assumed that the English colonists would support the south if it separated which did more harm than good for the country His wish was the original purpose of the war, not free for enslaved people Nevertheless,the war turned out to be an abolition of slavery due to slavery-based economy of the south The Civil War was the most destructive of all nation’s wars The war led to several outcomes: the north gained victory, black slavery ended and the nation became united
As a result of the war, enslaved people were conferred basic human rights. According to the 13th Amendment, about 4 million black slavery were freed The 14th Amendment (1868) gave them citizenship and the 15th (1870) allowed them to vote. Even so, these rights were just texts In practice, they were neglected, especially in the south After the war, enslaved people were thrown largely on their scant resources. They lived in poverty, their basic needs were not met They lacked clothes, foods and shelters In addition, they were separated from the whites and black children were received inferior education or not allowed to attend public schools at all There was no doubt that many former slaves and their families got stuck in a cycle of poverty over generations
2.2.4 The efforts into claiming equality for African Americans in the 1950s and 1960s.
It was said that the ending of the Civil War was just the beginning for a new segregated institution in which the enslaved people were treated differently but, still, unfairly After the war, slavery came into a new era called Jim Crow During this period, black people were hindered from drinking from the same water fountains, eating at the same restaurants or attending the same schools as white Americans This status lasted until after World War II Facing the inequality for the slaves, black leaders began to lead a civil rights movement In 1948, President Harry Truman ordered the military to be fully integrated In 1954, the U.S Supreme Court stated that racially segregated public schools did not provide equal education for black Americans was unconstitutional One of the most great black leaders in this era was Martin Luther King who had no desire but brought about greater assimilation of his men into the larger American culture His ideals proceeds from Americans’ basic values which were equal in opportunities and individual freedom Other black leaders who could be named during this period were Claudette Colvin, Rosa Park and Malcolm X They had contributed a lot to fight for enslaved people’s rights and helped to gain for them a larger part in American society even in negative ways
The climate seemed to get better in the 1960s There was a federal program called affirmative action that asked employers to hire black employees and universities to recruit black students Along with the affirmative action was the civil rights laws which not only brought about a remarkable degree of assimilations of black people into American culture but also helped to reduce the amount of white prejudice toward black people Thanks to affirmative action and civil rights laws, the social status of African Americans was given Both their living standard and incomes increased dramatically in the late 1960s and 1970s
2.2.5 The position of African American in the U.S nowadays
Today, African Americans play a part in every aspect of the U.S They are now sports and entertainment heroes, university professors, medical doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and reporters There is a plethora of black middle class and a great number of wealthy African Americans They account for about 46,8 million of the U.S population and over half of them live in the south Their rights are now no longer only in the Constitution, they are realistic African Americans are allowed to vote in the elections, they hold offices in all levels of government- local, state and national 2008 was a prominent milestone in black history when Barack Obama became the first black American president to turn the African Americans’ dream into reality The journey of African Americans going from slaves to principal races in the U.S is long and tough, yet, it is worth it There is no doubt that every man in this world, regardless of his race, skin colour, sex, religion, has certain unalienable rights to be free, be equal and be happy as the Declaration of Independence had declared
2.2 Racial discrimination in the U.S nowadays
2.2.1 Does racialism still exist in the U.S today? If so, only African Americans or other races as well?
One thing for sure is that everything is relative Racial segregation still exists nowadays, in every corner of the world, and in everyday life So does the U.S It is said that slavery was gone but Jim Crow was alive Even though African Americans now make up for a large number of the population in the U.S and their social status rises, they are, still, racially segregated The reality has proved this situation Black men are far more likely to be shot and killed by police than white men According to the Washington Post, unarmed black men are seven times more likely than whites to die by police gunfire while black women are routinely raped, beaten and killed by the police It raises the alarm for blacks’ safety in America A recent event that drew attention all over the world was George Floyed’s murder He was a black man killed by a white policeman after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground Although he kept saying that he could not breathe, the policeman did not give up on him to death. This event showed that black lives have been devalued or underestimated in this nation Moreover, not only blacks are racially discriminated against in the U.S, but also non-white people including the Hispanics, Asians, Abrics, Racialism in the U.S is still a hot potato for all communities to join hands for the sake of their own safety in America
2.2.2 Are Vietnamese segregated in the U.S?
Having said above, there is no exception for racial segregation in the U.S, andVietnamese are not outsiders For years, Vietnamese people have been discriminated against in this country Vietnamese people came to the U.S with no possessions so when they went to find a job, Americans saw them as a burden to their economy For this reason, job opportunities for Vietnamese were lessened Vietnamese people, at that time, either had a legal job which could not meet their needs or had to do an illegal job to pay for their living Like other races, they had to fight for their rights and status in this country despite difficulty The KKK and Vietnamese lawsuit fishermen paid a big contribution to help Vietnamese people change their position in America's society Nowadays, the social status of Vietnamese is firmer, they know how to protect themselves from hate in the U.S and get assimilated easier in the American culture.
Diversity in the 20th century
The dominant culture and its value system established by the early settlers had its roots in white, Protestant, Western Europe.
The United States began regulating immigration soon after it won independence from Great Britain, and the laws since enacted have reflected the politics and migrant flows of the times Early legislation tended to impose limits that favored Europeans.
A 1790 law was the first to specify who could become a citizen, limiting that privilege to free whites of “good moral character” who had lived in the U.S for at least two years In 1870, the right of citizenship was extended to those of African origin. Starting in 1875, a series of restrictions on immigration were enacted They included bans on criminals, people with contagious diseases, polygamists, anarchists, beggars and importers of prostitutes Other restrictions targeted the rising number of Asian immigrants, first limiting migration from China and later banning immigration from most Asian countries.
By the early 1900s, the nation’s predominant immigration flow shifted away from northern and western European nations and toward southern and eastern Europe.
In response, laws were passed in 1921 and 1924 to try to restore earlier immigration patterns by capping total annual immigration and imposing numerical quotas based on immigrant nationality that favored northern and western European countries.
Long-standing immigration restrictions began to crumble in 1943, when a law allowed a limited number of Chinese to immigrate In 1952, legislation allowed a limited number of visas for other Asians, and race was formally removed as grounds for exclusion Although a presidential commission recommended scrapping the national-origins quota system, Congress did not go along.
In 1965, though, a combination of political, social and geopolitical factors led to passage of the landmark Immigration and Nationality Act that created a new system favoring family reunification and skilled immigrants, rather than country quotas The law also imposed the first limits on immigration from the Western Hemisphere The newcomers were mainly from Eastern, Southern, and Central Europe, and the contemporary inflow, from the late 1960s to the present, which is made up overwhelmingly of people from Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Several laws since then have focused on refugees, paving the way for entrance of Indochinese refugees fleeing war violence in the 1970s and later including relief for other nationalities, including Chinese, Nicaraguans and Haitians.
In 1986, Congress enacted another major law – the Immigration Reform andControl Act – that granted legalization to millions of unauthorized immigrants, mainly from Latin America, who met certain conditions The law also imposed sanctions on employers who hired unauthorized immigrants Subsequent laws in 1996, 2002 and
2006 were responses to concerns about terrorism and unauthorized immigration. These measures emphasized border control, prioritized enforcement of laws on hiring immigrants and tightened admissions eligibility.
Recent 21st-century changes in immigration policy have been an exception to that pattern In 2012, President Obama took executive action to allow young adults who had been brought to the country illegally to apply for deportation relief and a work permit In 2014, he expanded that program (known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA) and set up a new program to offer similar benefits to some unauthorized-immigrant parents of U.S.-born children The DACA expansion and the new program (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA) are on hold because of a legal challenge by 26 states. 3.2 Advantages and disadvantages of immigration
Many Americans see that immigration will bring back lots of benefits to their country According to Ben Wattenberg who is a respected expert on American culture, new immigration will be a great help to the nation.
In fact, immigrants contribute to the U.S economy in many ways They work at high rates and make up more than a third of the workforce in some industries Their geographic mobility helps local economies respond to worker shortages, smoothing out bumps that could otherwise weaken the economy Immigrant workers help support the aging native-born population, increasing the number of workers as compared to retirees and bolstering the Social Security and Medicare trust funds.
To be sure, immigrants contribute to our communities in ways that go far beyond their impacts on the economy.
On the other hand, immigration is also controversial It is argued immigration can cause issues of overcrowding, congestion, and extra pressure on public services.
American believe that immigration puts pressure on public services such as schools, hospitals, roads, and public transport In theory, higher growth would lead to more tax revenue to enable higher spending However, migration tends to be focused in particular areas (e.g near borders) Local people can feel deterioration in the quality of public amenities because the population is growing faster than the number of schools.
In addition, if immigrants move to areas with limited housing stock, they can put upward pressure on rents and house prices, reducing living standards and increasing housing poverty for both immigrants and native - born populations who experience high living costs.
One downside of immigration is disharmony from rapid immigration While some like a more multi - cultural society which occurs from immigration, others are less welcoming of this change and feel like their culture and background are threatened by immigrants who do not fit into their existing society It can dilute their country's cultural identity This is especially an issue with immigrants who do not learn the native language, have different religions and belief systems, and live in mostly isolated communities.
For example, is why Japan is very opposed to immigration even though it really needs new workers as its population ages "Too much" immigration can make it so that the immigrants' culture changes the native culture more than the natives are willing to have happen.
Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country with 54 ethnic groups living together, theKinh people account for 85.4% of Vietnam’s population, with 78.32 million people.The remaining 53 ethnic minorities (EMs) account for only 14.6% of the country’s population While the ethnicity in the U.S is represented namely 81.5% who are notLatino or Hispanic 18.5% Latino or Hispanic Although Vietnam also has ethnic diversity, all of them have the same origin, they are all Dragon and Fairy descendants and have red blood and yellow skin, there are not many races and ethnicities like in the US (75.8% white, 13.6% black, 6.1% Asian, 2.8% multiracial, 1.3% indigenous,
HOW AMERICANS SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME
Sports and American Values
1.1.1 The value of sport - A national asset
Most American and social scientists believe that the sports organized by society generally reflect the basic values of that society and attempt to strengthen the minds and emotions of its people
Sport, as its best, can build character and promote the virtues of honesty, respect, selfless teamwork, dedication, and commitment to a greater cause Sport lessons (good and bad) transcend the playing field, spilling over into the classroom, the business world, and the community, and contribute to shaping the character and culture of America’s citizens.
Amature athletics, associated with schools and colleges, are valued for teaching young people traditional American values Professional sports, in addition to their profit and entertainment purposes, are seen as providing an example to inspire the young to take part in organized sports
In general, organized sports play a major role in American life More than three-fifths of USA adults, approximately 162 million people, claim some relationship to sport-related activities, including 25% who are actively engaged in sport as participants, parents of children in sport, coaches, or volunteers.
Moreover, as a matter of fact, organized sports are extremely important in the USA - very similar to the situation in the UK - sports carry and transmit very important cultural values that most Americans consider important, teamwork, grit, perseverance, discipline, hard work, goal-setting, and, most importantly, winning In fact, traditional sports like football and baseball carry in them a lot of the lessons required for success as the most important American interests (religion, military, business, politics) For this reason, sports have been seen for generations as “training grounds” for those more important areas of American life Many Americans view sports as the best teachers of these values for young people, vehicles that can mold character, particularly in teenagers.
In addition, organized sports may offer many positive benefits to society The majority of adults agree that the sport provides a source of fun and enjoyment (88%), can reduce youth crime and delinquency (84%), can teach valuable life lessons (80%), and can bring people together in a way that strengthens communities (76%) Three- fifths of adults agree that sports overall promote positive values
When it comes to organized sports, Americans always value and appreciate them It could be explained by the fact that those who start a sport because they enjoy it and derive benefits from participation may be more likely to make it a life-long activity Fun is the most common reason adults and children give for initially becoming involved in sport Conversely, when a sport is no longer fun, children and youth are more likely to stop participating
Moreover, parents largely name positive personal and social values when describing their hopes for children in playing sports They hope that playing sports will teach their children to have fun, do their best, feel good about themselves, play fair, have respect for others, be part of a team, and be competitive in a good way In fact, parents so highly value sport that more than 90% of parents of children who are somewhat or very active in sports agree that sport is “a fund and a reward in itself”.
Last but not least, American adults believe that sport overall is reaching its full potential in contributing to society's values They strongly believe that it is important for the sport to reinforce wholesome values such as honesty, fair play, respect for others, doing your best, teamwork, fun, hard work, and self-discipline, and rank winning and competitiveness as the least important values sport should reinforce
1.2 Sports: Equality of opportunity; Competition; Hard-working
Americans have seen organized sports as an example of equality of opportunity in action In sports, people of different races and economic backgrounds get an equal chance to excel For this reason, notes sociologist Harry Edwards, Americans have viewed organized sports as “a laboratory in which young men, regardless of social class, can learn the advantages and rewards of a competition system.” Although Edwards specifically mentions young men, young women also compete in organized sports without regard to their race or economic background Moreover, team sports such as football, basketball, and baseball are paid attention to because they teach students the “winning spirit”
The American ideal of competition is at the very heart of organized sports in the United States Many Americans believe that learning how to win in sports helps develop the habits necessary to compete successfully in later life This training, in turn, strengthens American society as a whole In the US, Athletics, frequently called competitive sports, is considered as the most important of all extracurricular activities by some Americans This results from the fact that many people believe it is essential for young people, particularly young men, to learn how to compete successfully
Although sports in the United States are glorified by many, there are others who are especially critical of the corrupting power of sports when certain things are carried to excess An excessive desire to win in sports, for example, can weaken rather than strengthen traditional American values.
When the idea of winning in sports is carried to excess, however, honorable competition can turn into disorder and violence For instance, in one baseball game,the players of two professional teams became so angry at each other that the game turned into a large-scale fight between the two teams The coach of one of the teams was happy about the fight because, in the games that followed, his team consistently won He thought that the fight had helped to bring the men on his team closer together.
Or professional hockey teams are notorious for the fights among players during games Some hockey fans seem to expect this fighting as part of the entertainment
Another criticism of professional sports is that the players and the team owners get too much money, while fans have to pay more and more for tickets to the games. Baseball, basketball and football stars get multi-million-dollar contracts similar to rock singers and movie stars Furthermore, players are often traded to other teams, or choose to go as free agents and a whole team may move to another city because of money In the past, teams and most players stayed in one city and bonded with the fans Now professional sports are more about money and less about team loyalty. Another problem facing organized sports is the use of performance-enhancing drugs With the pressure to win so strong, a number of athletes have turned to these drugs Although the use of most performance-enhancing drugs is illegal, it has now spread from professional sports down to universities and even high schools and middle schools The use of these drugs puts the health of the athletes in danger and it is ethically wrong It goes against the American values of equality of opportunity and fair competition The use of these drugs has called into question the achievement of some baseball players and their records for homeruns, etc , and several players have been denied admission to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
It would seem that Americans carry over their belief in hard work into their world of play and recreation It began in the 1970s as the “physical fitness craze” has become a way of life for many A number of people regularly work out at sports clubs- lifting weights, swimming, playing squash or racquetball, participating in aerobic exercise classes, or using exercise bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, or stair- steppers Long-distance marathon races are so popular that the organizers often have to limit the number of people who can participate
1.3 Comparison between The US and Vietnam
1.3.1 Sports in culture of US and VN
Recreational Activities
2.1 The Americans versus recreational activities
Recreation is an activity that people engage in during their free time.Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be “fun”.
Unlike sports that require high competition, Americans tend to demand recreation to provide personal satisfaction Nevertheless, much can be learned about the values of Americans from an examination of the kinds of recreation in which they engage Aging baby boomers exerted tremendous influence over societal views and values about work, life, and leisure As the members of this generation began to recognize a limit to the length of life, they turned their attention to improving the quality of life
Popular types of recreation in the US can be divided into two main categories: physical activities and cultural activities a Physical activities
Physical fitness is a way of life for these Americans Some Americans prefer recreation that requires a high level of physical activity This is true of the most popular adult recreational sports: jogging or running, tennis, and skiing It would seem that these Americans carry over their belief in hard work into their world of play and recreation What began in the 1970s as the “physical fitness craze” has become a way of life for many Many people frequently exercise at sports clubs, lifting weights, swimming, playing squash or racquetball, taking aerobics lessons, or utilizing stair steppers, treadmills, exercise bikes, or rowing machines In addition, because long- distance marathon races are so well-attended, the number of competitors is frequently capped There are races in many other cities and even in small towns, drawing from several hundred to as many as 80,000 participants.Few of the runners expect to win- most just want to finish the race, and overa half a million people do finish a marathon each year The number of people participating in marathon races has gone down dramatically, but the number finishing them has gone up The races are usually open to all, young and old alike, even those in wheelchairs Charity races are also very popular Participants ask people to sponsor them by contributing to the charity if they finish the race The distances vary from 5K to 10K to full marathons and often include social events The Race for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research draws women who are breast cancer survivors and their friends and family, and those who participate to honor a loved one who has (or had) the disease.
A statistical spreadsheet of the number of participants in “Leading outdoor activities in the United States in 2021” made by a group of experts.
From the above figures, we can see that physical activities such as running, walking, hiking all have a large number of participants, up to more than 60 million Americans participating in 2021 Next, other outdoor activities such as fishing and camping are also chosen by many people for recreation b Cultural activities
In America, interest and participation in cultural activities, which improve people's minds or skills, are also common Millions of Americans come to see symphony concerts, attend live theater performances, visit museums, listen to lectures, and participate in artistic activities such as painting and musical performances or dance Many Americans also have hobbies such as weaving, needlework, candle making, wood carving, quilting, and other handicrafts Community entertainment and education programs offer a variety of classes for people interested in any field, from using computers to fine cooking, learning a foreign language, writing, art, self- defense, yoga and bird watching Americans also love to travel Weekend car trips are a tradition for many celebrities, as are longer summer vacation trips Car travel is the most popular leisure activity in America When Americans take car trips, they don't just drive and visit They like to have a destination Theme parks, beaches, and other special attractions are always crowded when the weather is good.
2.2 The role of recreation for Americans
American leisure activities are much more spontaneous and cater to individual needs away from the competitive world of work But the high levels of physical activity enjoyed by many Americans at play have led to the observation that Americans have difficulty relaxing, even in their leisure time However, people who enjoy these physical activities often say that they find them very relaxing mentally because the activity is very different from the kind of activities they have to do in the work world, which is usually office work indoors is more concerned with the mind than with the body.
The recreational interests of Americans also show a continuing respect for the self-reliance, and, sometimes, the adventure and danger of frontier life While some choose safe pastimes like handicrafts, gardening or "do it yourself" like building the bookcase in their den, others are ready to leave the house and take some risks. Adventure tourism has grown into a multi-billion dollar business For example, by the mid-1990s, millions of Americans have bought mountain bikes to explore the wilderness on their own Many others are choosing to go white–water rafting, mountain climbing, rock climbing, skydiving, helicopter skiing, and bungee jumping 2.2.3 Health
Recreation is vigorous, which makes use of the fundamental muscles and is the best-known means of developing and maintaining healthy organs Certain forms of recreation cause increased circulation, greater respiratory activity, better elimination of wastes and improved digestion It contributes to emotional stability by affording rest, relaxation and creative activity Also give tone to the body by a healthful stimulation of the nerve centers
2.3 Compare recreational activities between Vietnam and The US
Most Vietnamese prefer light games and less risky The proof is that the number of adventure amusement parks in Vietnam is quite small.
Most amusement parks are parks, supermarkets, movies or shopping centers,
For Vietnamese, recreational activities are simply to relax after tired working hours, less risky.
Americans enjoy recreational activities that require a high level of physical activity. Americans play with the spirit of "work hard and play hard". The number of adventure places in the US grows strongly. eg: scuba diving, climbing, biking,
Opinion For Vietnamese people, entertainment is simply a time to relieve stress, relax after work, gather with family and friends to recharge.
America's hobby of entertainment also demonstrates a continuing respect for independence. Americans have always been proud of this individuality and difference Therefore, entertainment is the time they spend for themselves. Activities on holidays
On holidays, Vietnamese will spend time traveling, relaxing after hard working days On the last occasion
(especially in big cities), people often flock to the streets, shopping centres and amusement park and entertainment In particular, the goverment also organizes the walking streets on the weekends
American often take the time off the holiday to learn more skills
Healthcare in the USA
3.1 Health status of American people
Health status is a measure of how people perceive their health—rating it as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor Reported health status is a predictor of important health outcomes including mortality, morbidity, and functional status It is considered a good global assessment of a person’s well-being
3.1.2 Facts about Health status of the Americans
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States ranks 43rd in overall health system performance, despite spending more on healthcare than any other country The average life expectancy in the United States is
78 years, lower than many other developed countries such as Japan and Australia. Obesity and chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are major health challenges that affect a large percentage of the population According to the CDC, about 42.4% of American adults are considered obese In addition, mental health is also a significant health issue in the United States Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of Americans of all ages While overall life expectancy in the United States has been increasing, there are still significant health disparities within the population For example, African Americans and Hispanic Americans have shorter life expectancies and higher rates of chronic diseases compared to Caucasian Americans.
Despite the advancement in healthcare and medical technology, several Americans are still uninsured, which limits their access to healthcare services, and puts them at risk of severe health consequences. a Obesity
The CDC reported that obesity had become a national epidemic After smoking, obesity was the number two preventable cause of death in the United States Trust for America’s Health’s (TFAH) 19th annual report on the nation’s obesity crisis found that 19 states have obesity rates over 35 percent, up from 16 states in 2021, and that poor eating habits and sedentary factors are key drivers of increasing obesity rates
According to The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, the averageAmerican ate almost 20% more calories in the year 2000 than they did in 1983,thanks, in part, to a boom in meat consumption Today, each American puts away an average of 195 lbs of meat every year, compared to just 138 lbs in the 1950's.Consumption of added fats also shot up by around two thirds over the same period,and grain consumption rose 45% since 1970 In Addition, the COVID-19 pandemic added new obstacles and exacerbated existing barriers to healthy eating and physical activity in 2020 and 2021, including disrupting food and nutrition security for families and youth The disruption took several forms, starting with widespread job loss causing financial insecurity and school closures interrupting food services at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, and continuing supply-chain issues that have caused higher prices and limited availability of certain goods Furthermore, the lack of physical activity is also one of the main causes of being overweight.Government studies estimate that fewer than half of Americans exercise in their leisure time Just19.3 percent of the U.S population was engaged in sports and exercise each day in 2021 Male participation was higher (20.7 percent) than the participation rate of women (18 percent) This included participation in sports,exercise and other active leisure activities According to this data, we can see that the nutritional imbalance in the diet and lack of exercise has led to an alarming obesity situation in this country. b Life expectancy
Despite spending exponentially more money on healthcare than any other high- income country globally, the United States features one of the lowest life expectancies of approximately 79 years More specifically, America ranks 26th in terms of life expectancy among other OECD countries, while Japan leads all other countries with an average life expectancy of 84 years According to research, twenty-five countries have average life expectancies of at least 80 years, and 18 of said countries have life expectancies that exceed the typical U.S life expectancy by at least three years. However, this number has decreased rapidly since the outbreak of the Corona virus in the pandemic in 2020 Since then, overall mortality and premature death rates in the United States have increased much more significantly compared to most other countries According to the CDC, American life expectancy has decreased to approximately 77 years during the past few years.
Unlike most developed nations, the US health system does not provide healthcare to the country's entire population Instead, most citizens are covered by a combination of private insurance and various federal and state programs Out-of-pocket payments and market provision of coverage predominate as a means of financing and providing healthcare.As of 2019, around 50% of citizens received private insurance coverage through their employer (group insurance), 6% received private insurance through health insurance marketplaces (nongroup insurance) , 20% of citizens relied on Medicaid, 14% on Medicare, and 1% on other public forms of insurance , leaving 9% of Americans uninsured
The private healthcare system has resulted in many Americans not being able to afford hospital bills To be born in America is considered an incredible privilege This is the wealthiest country on earth, with many opportunities.There’s a lot of things mostAmericans can afford to do 95% of American households own a car, for example.But,there is one thing that Americans cannot afford And that is to get sick.
The USA spends around twice as much per person when it comes to healthcare The main reason for that seems to be because everything costs more:
- A day in the hospital costs 1,200% more here than it does in Spain.
- To have your appendix removed costs 200%+ more than it does in Australia.
- Delivering a baby costs almost 40% more than in Switzerland.
- Bypass surgery costs 225% more than it does in the UK.
3.3 Comparison health status in USA and Vietnam
With life expectancy approximately 77 years (as of 2020), America ranks 26th in terms of life expectancy among other
An American's typical height and weight are 5'9" (175 cm) and 196 pounds, respectively (89 kg) According to this data, about two-thirds of adults are obese The reason is that they eat more fast food, watch more TV, walk less
The infant mortality rate for the U.S in
2021 was 5.614 deaths per 1000 live births.
According to the World Bank, the life expectancy at birth in Vietnam is 76.1 years (as of 2020) With this average life expectancy , Vietnam ranks 56th out of
138 economies ranked by the World Economic Forum.
A Vietnamese’s typical height and weight are 5'3"
(160 cm) and 137 pounds, respectively (62 kg). Statistics from the National Institute of Nutrition show that the rate of stunting in Vietnam is still high The survey results of this Institute in 2022 show that the rate of malnourished children in VietNam is still high, 1 in 5 children is underweight. The infant mortality rate for Vietnam in 2021 was 15.899 deaths per 1000 live birthsThe infant mortality rate for Vietnam in 2021 was 15.899 deaths per 1000 live births
The United States has a complex health care system that is heavily reliant on private health insurance
Health care services are largely provided by private health care providers and are funded by employer-sponsored health insurance plans, government health insurance plans, out-of-pocket payments, and private insurance plans.
Universal health coverage is provided by the government of Vietnam, through the National Health Insurance (NHI) program
The program covers about 95% of the population, with subsidized payment for medical services at public facilities.
The CDC estimates that six in ten adults in the United States currently live with a chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes These and other chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in
America, and they are also a leading driver of health care costs.
In Vietnam, chronic diseases were shown to be leading causes of deaths, accounting for 66% of all deaths in 2021.
Stroke, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer are some of the biggest causes of death in Vietnamese peopleThe prevalence of chronic diseases in Vietnam is around
The impact of TV, games and the Internet
4.1 The impacts of TV, games and the Internet
4.1.1 Lost creativity and physical activity
When students get projects from school, they browse through the net, copy what they find important and complete their projects within a few hours Where is the creativity here? Creativity does not find any space as it needs time to think and put some real effort When most people are looking for a quick fix, the internet is at the disposal.
Along with the development of technology, the internet has become more and more popular and accessible to many ages, even children And with that will appear many templates available online that are suitable for children's school curriculum. From there, children can search for information and copy it into their work This proves that many American children are gradually becoming too dependent on the Internet
Today, children spend more time watching TV or on the phone, even at the tender age of two Many parents readily give their mobile to kids or turn on cartoon channels so that kids get to stick to something and they can finish their chores TV and mobile phones are stealing time from important physical activities There is evidence that the brains of children and young people are being rewired by these activities It has an effect on both their mind and their body The goverment estimate that 8-18 year-olds spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media, including TV,computers, video games, cell phones and movies It is very clear that they don’t spend time doing exercise every day High screen time weakens minds and prevents them from rational and analytical thinking Imaginative thinking or creativity is thus lost.
A 2015 report titled “The Common Sense Census: Media Use By Tweens andTeens” indicated that 47% of 8- to 12-year-olds and 57% of 13- to 18-year-olds in theU.S have a TV set in their bedroom.
“The average kid from 8 to 18 years old is in front of a screen over 50 hours a week That’s a full-time job and hours of overtime, on top of school and everything else,” Gentile said This indicates that American and young people are spending too much time watching television, using the Internet, and playing video games
A study shows that children who watch more TV are at risk of getting obese and high blood pressure Kids that are more physically active have higher metabolism rate and hence are healthier.
4.1.3 What they see on TV, Internet and the content of video games affect their mind Children take these games as a role model and behave like the character which leads to aggressive behavior, obsessive language and other behavior problems. Research suggests that playing violent video games increases aggressive behavior which leads to aggressive responses in children
The content of the video game plays an important role in the development of a child's mind If the content is good it will help the child to learn new skills and if the content is not good it will lead to negative mental problems because both can affect the child brain to much extent Recent content analyses of video games show that as many as 89% of games contain some violent content, 12 and about 50% of the games include serious violent actions toward other game characters
As early childhood is one of the important parts of every child’s life and during this , whatever child learns will continue in their further life so the negative impact which a child takes in early years will also put an impact on their further life.
“Children are especially at risk for experiencing the long-term psychological effects produced through exposure to whatever they see on the TV, internet or video games 4.2 Ways to help children stay away from the above influences
Now, the network environment has also become a part of real life, no longer a virtual world Meanwhile, children cannot protect themselves yet, nor can they be completely sure what content they will be exposed to for hours on the Internet and what impact it will have The responsibility to protect children belongs to the adults For example, American politicians also pledged to tighten regulation FacebookCEO Mark Zuckerberg and the CEO of Alphabet, Google's parent company, facedMPs for hours in the middle of this year, facing a barrage of criticism over accusations they failed to protect children on the internet social networking platforms The government regulation could threaten the growth and vitality of the internet
In order to limit the negative influence of social networking sites on the education, nurturing and perfecting development of the personality and good lifestyle of people, especially today's youth, each family, school, institution Agencies, units and localities need to do well in educating and retraining young people to raise awareness about the role, effects and inadequacies of participating in and using social networking sites.
In addition to educating young people to improve their understanding of social networking sites, it is necessary to guide and advise them on knowledge and skills when using TV, Internet and video games It is very important to show them the duality of TV, Internet and Video games, especially the consequences and consequences of using them arbitrarily and excessively Regularly educate, orientate people's values of personality and good lifestyle, improve resistance to negative impacts of TV, Internet and video games Pay special attention and attach importance to fostering a sense of social responsibility, training habits and life skills for young people, especially self-regulation and self-control skills Doing this well will help young people have enough confidence, bravery and methods to avoid negative tricks on social networking sites.
It is noted that even though assimilation has become more popular and easier in the 20 century, yet racial discrimination still exists throughout this country Not th only black people in particular but also non-white people in general are segregated However, the circumstance is getting better over time as they share common things and ways to co-exist Moreover, there are people who may find it challenging to get assimilated into the American culture regardless of the native’s helps And there still have immigrants would like to keep their own tradition when they come to the U.S Either America is a salad bowl or a melting pot, it makes American culture diverse and unique.
When it comes to leisure time, it is obvious that the American values affect strongly not only to the way people spend their leisure time, but also to their organized sports, recreational activities and entertainments Similar to other countries, the U.S also has issue with the Internet when most of the children of the country spend much time on it It is suggested that children should spend their time on the Internet to maxium the benefits and minimize the drawbacks.