US Culture

[princess_ballet]

I know what culture is (The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought), but I'm having trouble pinpointing one specific thing.

The reason I ask is because I need to write a journal for my English class that has to do with a point about culture and what values that "phenonmenon" deals with. I'm SO lost right now as to what to pick.

So... give me like specific examples.

Please?

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I still don't quite understand what you need, could you say more???

 

[princess_ballet]

Sorry I wasn't clear.

(We're supposed to read varoius essays and then pick a corresponding journal question and write about it)
The whole question that I want to write about is:

Several of the these essays focus on a single phenomenon of American culture to analyze our values (or laock of them). Choose some aspect of contemporary culture that intrigues you and write an essay in which you reveal the values and beliefs that it embodies.


Culture is further described later on:

Sometimes, the hardest thing to see is that which is right under your nose (ie. culture). To understand "culture" look at its smallest components or traits (like football, shopping, appearance, marriage, etc).

I guess all I'm asking for is the smallest component or trait to write about.

Is that as clear as mud?

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

What are the diffrent essays about?

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Of course for me, I'd pick birthing--

as a society we value technology and and are distrustful of our bodies and have very poor self image

Despite being in the top 3 technologically advanced nations in the world- out infant and maternal mortality and morbidity rates have not decreased significantly in the past 25 years. Currently we rank 23 in mortality and morbidity rates- all of the countries that rank higher than us use midwifery as there model of care for healhty, low risk pregnancies.

However, in America, our C-section rate is about 25%, as opposed to 4% 30 years ago- vividly showing our cultural preference for technology, as opposed to allowing nature to runits course. In America we want to "manage" birth, rather than sit while women have babies. Birth is the only time a healthy woman goes to the hospital, and a healthy baby is admitted to a hospital. Well people don't go to the hospital! Therefore our culture treats pregnancy as pathological, or as an illness- that must be , micro- managed to fit inside narrow parameters-- rather than the very broad margins of "normal" birth actually encompasses.

This attitude carries over to breastfeeding rates which in America are abysmally low- in many Scandanavian countries the rate is 99% in the first 6 weeks and 75 % after 6 months- as opposed to only 10 % after 6 MOnths in the US. Again we prefer technology and diistrust our bodies to be able to tkae care of our babies.

Anyway---- I could go on and on and on..

But you mean something like that??

 

[princess_ballet]

The different essays are about football, marriage, etc. The things listed.

And yes, that type of thing. And while that read was very informative and interesting, I just need topic type things! Lol.

Thanks.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Marriage would be a good topic .

 

[Metanoia02]

PB,


How about this--- One of the most highly regarded virtues in America is individualism. Our culture rewards those who express their individualism. One of the engines of our economy is the entrepenurial spirit. Those who take a chance and go into business for themselves are rewarded of they are successful. They are individualistic and take risks. They are admired by our American culture. It is the "American Dream".

But individualism has its cost, especially when you apply it to marriage. When one values individualism above the self-giving required in marriage, bad things happen. The question is how has the American culture of individuality in part responsible for the disintegration of the family?

 

[Radagast]

How about shopping malls? Baseball?

Or even better, electronic discussion forums, where people share their feelings with the entire planet...

--Radagast

 

[MParedon]

I know this sounds odd, but what about grooming? We shower up to two times a day (some people, three) and we have like a bigillion types of soaps and stuff. We shave practically everything that can be shaved (sorry, don't mean to get too graphic) or we wax it off (even the little peach fuzz women get above their top lip). We have advanced technology to get the perfect tan and to make sure our hair doesn't fry to a crisp after using high wattage blowdryers and molten hot curlers that change colors. We have special gum that whitens our teeth and clear braces so you can see those pearly whites ala Tom Cruise.
I know other countries have these things but I think many of them don't put such an emphasis on them. Women can be a little hairier in other countries and bathing can be on a biweekly or weekly basis. Hair is covered or left in simple cuts with little regard to the 'Rachel' or way back when 'Farah' or 'Britney' extensions.

Oh, wow. Didn't mean to try to write your journal entry for you. Just got carried away. *This entry isn't to be mean about American Culture, just to point it out. I proudly sported the 'Rachel' cut myself once or twice

 

[princess_ballet]

Ok, thanks, I think I've got some ideas now.