Cultural Universals Of Being American

1. Culture can be defined as traditions and customs that govern behavior and beliefs; distinctly human, transmitted through learning (Kottak & Kozaitis, 2011).

The word “culture” is the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belied, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations (Merriam-Webster, 2015).

Three cultural groups I belong to are American, preppy and animal activist. I consider American a culture because it encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States .I consider preppy culture as a whole still exists on Ivy League campuses after being passed down in familial lineage, but the idealistic nature of the lifestyle will never quite be what it once was.

Some of the cultural universals of being American are that we like to encompass religion, freedom of life, separation of church of state, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, gay marriage, jury system, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones. In general, Americans care more about equity than equality. This is perhaps because we Americans recognize the differences in ambition, ability, and effects of personal choice. America has its own style (Zimmermann & Contributor, 2012). Clothing styles vary by social status, region, occupation and climate. Jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, cowboy hats and boots are some items of clothing that are closely associated with Americans. Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Victoria Secret are some well-known American brands. Another cultural universals related to styles of cooking and types of foods that are specific to a region. Southern-style cooking is often called "American comfort food" and includes dishes such as fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and corn bread. Tex-Mex, popular in Texas and the Southwest, is a blend of Spanish and Mexican cooking styles and includes items such as chili and burritos and relies heavily on shredded cheese and beans (Zimmermann & Contributor, 2012). Jerky, dried meats that are served as snacks, is also a food that was created in the United

As an American you are free to pursue your happiness. The pursuit of happiness is only possible in a just society. This is done not at expense of others, and only through voluntary exchange of goods, labor, and ideas. Being proud and celebrating its holidays. Many holidays are celebrated only in the United States. Americans celebrate their independence from Britain on July 4. Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors those who have died in military service. Labor Day, observed on the first Monday in September, celebrates country’s workforce. Thanksgiving, another distinctive American holiday, falls on the fourth Thursday in November and dates back to colonial times to celebrate the harvest. Presidents’ Day, marking the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, is a federal holiday that occurs on the third Monday in February. The contributions of veterans are honored on Veterans’ Day, observed on Nov. 11. The contributions of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered on the third Monday in