Assumption 1: All cultures value Family.
For the longest time, families have always had importance in the American culture. It is the yarn through which the social fabric is woven. A common saying in the American culture goes, “Family first”. This saying glorifies the importance of family and its place in the American culture. The value that culture places on the family as an institution is exemplified by the activities of common folk. Families take part in different activates together from time to time. These activities range from play time, family meals and family outings. The time spent together with family is generally viewed as quality.
This is because the family is an institution that encourages and reprimands at the same time, thereby nurturing its members to maturity and significance in the society. Weekends and holidays are commonly considered as time to spend with one’s family. This is generally so across the board in all cultures. In the yester years, the most important of the day was family meal times. During this part of the day, families sat around a table and ate from a common pot. It was also during this time that families share the activities of the day. The parents sought to know how school was for the children and whether they encountered any problems (Althen & Janet 9).
This moment brought families closer after a day’s work and many hours of separation. This has change in the world today due to a number of factors. Firstly, family members spend more hours at the workplace. Additionally, there are many more commitments that have eaten into the family meal time. However, from time to time, families get together and share a common meal and deliberate on issues facing the social unit. Other distractions like television sets, cell phones and computers have eaten into the family time.
Nonetheless, family meal time is still greatly valued and respected as an integral part of culture. The family is also viewed as the custodian of culture. Knowledge pertaining culture is passed down to other generations on the family level. Things like mannerisms, love, friendship and other virtues are taught to children in the family set up. Vices that are abhorred are also discouraged at the family level. As such, the assumption that all cultures value family is not without merit. This has been exemplified through this narrative as reflected in the tech buddy interview.
Assumption 2: All cultures celebrate religious, historical, or family events.
The United States of America is largely a Christian country. This is not to negate the fact that some citizens subscribe to other religions. This notwithstanding, majority of Americans identify with different religious events as per their various religions. Christians in American identify with the culture created through common belief. As such, they celebrate different Christian holidays throughout the calendar. These holidays range from Christmas to the Easter holiday. Although these holidays are deeply rooted in Christianity, they are practiced and celebrated as cultural family holidays.
Although Christmas is also celebrated by attending church, the major spectacle of the holiday is exemplified through family celebrations. During this time, people travel to be with their family members. Families also extend charity to the destitute and the less privileged in the society. It is the one holiday where families join together in joyful celebrations. Other religions have their holidays, and American being a country of liberty, they also celebrate with their families. For instance, Muslims celebrate the idd-if-fitr among other holidays in their religious calendar. The American culture also celebrates historical events.
Different events have historical significance in the culture. For instance, Americans celebrate the fourth of July every year. This holiday has a lot of significance in the American culture. It is the day that America gained independence from its colonial masters. This holiday is placed on a pedestal in the American culture because it reminds its citizens that they are a free lot. Another historical holiday that is of importance in the American culture is thanksgiving. This holiday is also celebrated in neighboring Canada. During the celebrations, family members offer thanks for the harvest of the year before.
The holiday has a lot of historical significance. A part from historical and religious holidays, the American culture also values and celebrates family events. These events vary from birthdays, house warming parties, graduations and marriages. Birthday celebrations family members welcome a new life into the family. It is a show of togetherness and the evidence of growth in the family tree, and the society by extension. Graduations are celebrated to honor the achievements of loved ones. It is a time to reminisce on the journey travelled in addition to savoring success and triumph. During marriages, families celebrate new members of the family by law. They also converge to send of their loved ones to their new families. It is a show of solidarity, togetherness and the strength of the social unit. All these family events are entrenched in the American culture and are celebrated and valued.
Work cited
Althen, Gary, and Janet Bennett. American Ways: A Cultural Guide to the United States. Boston: Intercultural Press, 2011. Print.
