Bai 3:Belief and value

• Go where resources are ⇒Keep moving & make a fresh start • Mobility: NOT aimless, with optimism better life, warmer climate Take for granted: 4-5 cities / life Buy house: Not nec

Why immigrants are attracted to the US?

-Land

-Resources

-Beliefs & Values

I American Dream

& Traditional

BeliefsPham Phuong Hoa Country studies division

What was their dream when they sailed to

America

2 American beliefs

Progress / Keep moving

• The desire to progress by making use of opportunities

• Reflected in family saga

First generation

Second generation

Third generation….

2 American beliefs

Where did it come from?

• Survival experiences => idealize whatever is practical

• What works is what counts

e.g First west-ward explorers did not know

farming or construction but trusted in their inventiveness!

e.g Great number of do-it-yourself books, service

self-=> quick, practical

2 American beliefs

Volunteerism in Community &

6/10: volunteer (pride)

2 American beliefs

2 American beliefs

• Go where resources are

⇒Keep moving & make a fresh start

• Mobility:

NOT aimless, with optimism (better

life, warmer climate)

Take for granted: 4-5 cities / life

Buy house:

Not necessarily well-designed

high reselling value (practicality)

Does not immobilize them (lessen their chance for moving for a better life)

Mobility - Homogeneity

• Very diverse geography & Culture

• People keep moving from one place to another => mutual exchange

=> Cultural differences still exist from region to region but are becoming increasing less

distinct

Basic traditional American values

2 American beliefs

• Mobility => little attachment to a place =>

national pride > regional pride

• Flag: National flag more common than state’s flag.

• Patriotism

Other nations: place, landscape,

rivers, forests, etc (geographical)

US: freedom inspired the nation’s

start (historic event)

Basic traditional American values

What do American mean by

Individual Freedom?

• All people are free

• 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

Freedom in reality?

NOT always corresponded to reality

•Black slavery (until Civil War)

others

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

Why should not receive help

from others?

• If they rely too much on the support of others, they may lose some of their freedom to do

what they want!

• Bad examples, society’s burden: beggars, homeless

⇒People need to take care of themselves

⇒Self first, others come later (individualism or practicality?)

Life is a race for success

Equal chance to enter the fair race and win

Equality of Competition

• A person must run the race (compete with each other) in order to succeed

• Begin in childhood until retirement

• Encouraged by strong programs of

• Compete unsuccessfully  won t fit into ’

the mainstream of American life

Material wealth

• 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

• “Going from rags to riches”

American Dream

True f or ma

ny immig rants

Material Wealth

Material Wealth

Wealth has been a widely accepted measure of

social status, abilities and success

Materialistic

is an insulting word to say

Hard work

• 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

Values: Idealism vs Reality?

• Equality of opportunity and self-reliance may not be always put into practice Some have better chance for success:

 Born into rich families

 Many black people have fewer opportunities than the White

 Many women have fewer opportunities than men

 Today immigrants have fewer opportunities than those who came before them (when the economy was growing fast, many high- paying factory jobs)