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Establishing personal or cultural identity
Cultural influences on identity
Impact of culture on a person's identity
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Today there are many styles and subcultures that are known in society, from punk to hip-hop, and from hipster to gangster. However, there is one that has become widely acknowledged and popularized in the recent years. This is the “Guido” lifestyle. Made popular by the hit MTV television show “Jersey Shore”, the term Guido was not always accepted in the positive tone that the it is given in popular media today. Some consider it an inappropriate slur and racist term (Cohen 1-2). While that may be the case in the past, today “Jersey Shore” and other mass media have most certainly contributed to the mainstream acceptance and popularity of the Guido style and have changed the direction of the term from that of a racial slur to a term representing a subcultures identity. Subcultures being characterized by symbolism and expression ("Fashioning an Italian-American Youth Style" 1-6), the Guido style does much to become a youth subculture through their grooming, cars and music, and furthermore through their attitudes and demeanors("Fashioning an Italian-American Youth Style" 1-6).
The term Guido is associated with Italian-Americans living in the North-Eastern United State ("Identity Politics of Guido" 1-53). Its history originates from an urban, working class youth known as “greasers”, which was applied with derogatory intent (Brooks). The early origins of the term Guido were associated with gangs, graffiti, and turf wars ("Fashioning an Italian-American Youth Style" 1-6). This would explain why many still take offense to the term. However today there are many different signs associated with the term. Guidos are identified through the extensive number of signs and symbols that they incorporate into their identities. The social codes of...
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... Shore' 'Guido' Controversy - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. Time Inc., 12 Dec. 2009. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. .
Cohen, Patricia. "Discussing That Word That Prompts Either a Fist Pump or a Scowl." The New York Times 23 Jan. 2010: 1-2. Print.
Tricarico, Donald. "GUIDO: FASHIONING AN ITALIAN-AMERICAN YOUTH STYLE." The Journal of Ethic Studies 19.1: 1-6. Queensborough Community College. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
Tricarico, Donald. "Youth Culture, Ethnic Choice, and the Identity Politics of Guido." (2005): 1-53. The National Italian American Foundation. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
With the Homeboys, the 1991 film by the late Joseph Vasquez, present the audience with two comedic yet legitimate examples of assimilated Latino men. The modern theme of assimilation in this film however, is one characterized not by the pursuit for American middle class male status, but rather the blending of Hip Hop culture (and in Vinny?s case, Italian culture) with Latino culture. Addressing Vinny?s wish to be Italian, one can simply state that he was seeking an image which would win over women. By fabricating the Italian Vinny, he was able to con girls into supporting him with physical affection and food. Although he used this Italian front to gain female acquaintances, in his heart Vinny knew he was Latino, as is evident in the scene where the police officer, a true Italian, asks him his nationality, and he hesitantly but emphatically states "I?m Puerto Rican!"
Ginsborg P (1990). ‘A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics: 1943-1980’ Published by Penguin; Reprint edition (27 Sep 1990).
The institutions, cultural forms, and economic powers were lifted as the term “teenager” itself was created to differentiate young men and women from adults (University of Toronto 145). The clothing trends, hairstyles, dances and even the language was different from that of adults (Armstrong et al, 134). Young men and women enjoyed dressing themselves with blue jeans, leather jackets,and pony tails for women, which stood as an identity for teenagers as it differentiated them from adults (Armstrong et al,135). This idea was amazing to acknowledge because a new type of people are emerging, and this added to Canadian multiculturalism and acceptance of the different types of people.The adults response to the wild nature of teenagers was that they were left shocked at first, yet later they acknowledged this act as just a phase during one’s life, they got used to this unique behaviour as time progressed (OC University 10). With the brutality of World War 2, the youth at the time were simply left neglected (OC University 10). Many believe that teens during the 1950’s were greatly influenced by being raised during a war generation (OC University 10). The youth distinguished themselves through shocking, yet enjoyable behaviour such as dance moves and their overall mindset on life. In addition, advertisers convinced teens to purchase certain products which
The first paragraph evokes the normal and typical structure of the Italian-American immigrant family in this era. In the Vitale family, everyone has their own role. The father, Giovanni Vitale, has the duty of working long hours to provide for his family. The mother, Lisa, has the role of a homemaker, making dinner for the family, and takin...
A rediscover of their history and recognition of early Greek philosophers changed the way that the influential families and Princes, in Italy, considered themselves. Their way of thinking of the Devine and need to promote one’s own aspirations through sponsorship of the arts, as well as, civic duty became not only fashionable but important to progress in the city states. Although Donatello’s David and Botticelli’s Primavera are master pieces in their own right, their influence on future generations of artists cannot be ignored. The spark that ignited the fire which we call the Renaissance was a transformation of societies thinking and values to a Humanistic approach to one duties to society and the church. These two works are a reflection of the changing attitudes which would eventually change all of
Life in Italy is much different than life in the United States. Italians live at a much slower pace, than American’s and they have a desire to enjoy life instead of rushing through it as many American lifestyles exhibit (Zimmermann, K. (2015). The extended family is very important in Italy, whereas in the United States, the focus tends to be on the nuclear family, which includes mom, dad, and children (Zimmermann, 2015). The differences in Italian culture and American culture are vast and varied, but with a few comparable components to demonstrate similarities.
Unless you are a wealthy Italian, you live a much humbler lifestyle. A lot of Italians homes are meager, and the material goods Americans want and vie for, aren’t as important to them. I realized how fortunate I was for all the belongings I took for granted. Some Italians would view the home I grew up in as a mansion compared to their own. They seemed so much happier and it was humbling to see them content by having a lot
Paula Fass’s The Damned and the Beautiful: American Youth in the 1920's delves into the social and cultural climate of the 1920’s middle-class youth in America. Fass observes the multidimensional dynamics of the post-World War I society as citizens adjust to pertinent matters such as industrialization, prohibition and immigration. Amidst the ongoing social, political and economical issues of the early twentieth century, youth played an active role in contemporary life. Adolescents responded to issues through altering their habits, behaviors and viewpoints. Their responses became evident in the public setting and American culture evolved. The transformation of American culture was spearheaded by youth who questioned and went against cultural norms of past generations. Societal changes were visible through family, education, socialization, fashion and style and dating and sexuality.
The typical hipster is obsessed with trends before they were trendy- they wore American Apparel v-necks1 before Mitchell Davis2 came around, Vans before Warped Tour even existed, and skinny jeans long before Tripp jeans3 went out of style. Whether or not they are truly original is hardly the point- hipsters all confidently vocalize how they pioneered certain trends. However, the irony in this is that hipsters all claim to dissociate themselves with trends and conformity, making their “moment of self aggrandizing glory4” if not presumptuous, hypocritical. The hipster style is often compared to that of the Indie Kid. However, hipsters and Indie kids differ in that a hipster will go to an American Apparel store and pay $25 for a v-neck; whereas the Indie kid will simply cut a v-neck into one of their t-shirts because they don‘t have the money to do otherwise. Hipsters, conclusively, attempt to buy the Indie fashion, mostly due to its recent media acclaim. Shows such as The O.C. and One Tree Hill show the Indie kid as being the non-leading protagonist everyone ends up rooting for, regardless of their lack of place in most episodal plot. However, the Indie kids’ whole appeal lies in th...
“Chi la dura la vince.” This soft-spoken Italian proverb sums up the series of events that Italian immigrants endured on their journey in America. Between 1880 and 1920, more than four million Italian-Americans immigrated to the United States of America in hopes of temporarily escaping Southern Italy’s impoverished and overpopulated society. Once in America, these new Italian-American citizens started ‘Little Italys’ or ethnic enclaves of Italians. Some Little Italies were even large enough to support a full economic structure of their own, providing a plethora of job opportunities. These ‘small’ Italian communities shielded themselves from general stereotypes and provided a sense of belonging which helped Italians establish their roots. America’s attitude toward these new Italian-American citizens can be summed up in part by Congressman James McClintic, a Democrat Oklahoman: "I say the class of immigrants [Italians] coming to the shores of the United States at this time are not the kind of people we want as citizens in this country." Inplace of responding by aggressive human nature, America’s new Italian citizens viewed this as an opportunity to enrich family and community bonds. As for Italian traditions, they struggled to be accustomed between the two Italian generations as the already ‘Americanized’ Italian children clashed with their parents, which resulted in altered traditions. One major example is Italian-American food which chain restaurants have come to paint as a type of restaurant that specializes in spaghetti with meatballs, pizza, and has red checked tablecloths.
In 1903, Nicola Gentile, a native of Siculiana, Sicily, finding no occupation in his village, came to America as a stowaway on a ship to soon begin his life full of crime. Although barely able to read and write, he believed that he possessed an uncommon strength of will to be sinister. This trait would soon help him to rise to the high rank in the Mafia. After arriving in America, he was amazed at the grand vastness of the buildings and streets he was surrounded by, but moreover, by the attitude of the new people around him. They walked briskly, giving him the impression that all had an urgent mission to perform.
First it was The Godfather and The Sopranos, and then it was Jersey Shore followed by Jersey Licious and Mob wives. The media is an extremely powerful factor which influences most of our beliefs norms and even representations of certain ethnic groups. Every time one opens there television to watch something, they are getting a dose of misrepresentation of a certain belief, person etc… Italian stereotypes are some of the most common stereotypes in the media and they are worst now more than ever before. Even though Italians are not being represented in TV shows and movies the way they previously were in the 1900’s, they are still being stereotyped in contemporary television programs and movies. To better understand what the media depicts Italians
Growing up as a young boy in the late 1800’s, with having little, except his family, was all Mussolini needed really needed in life. Benito grew up as the eldest child amongst his siblings. Mussolini's early political views were heavily influenced by his father, Alessandro Mussolini, a socialist who admired figures with humanist tendencies such as Carlo Pisacane, Giuseppe Mazzini. His father's political outlook, influenced in a way that Benito would look at the world politically. He was a bit of what you would call a trouble maker. ”As a child he was a difficult boy to handle, he was disobedient and a had a quick temper. Benito was expelled not only once, but twice for assaulting fellow classmates with a penknife”(Smith 1).
When Italian immigrants came to America, many were not welcomed in the communities of the Germans and Irish. The neighborhoods that the Itali...
On February 13, Mr. Ambrosio’s Honors Shapers class will depart for Italy. This will be the first time in years that Blind Brook students have gone abroad for a school trip. The students are very excited to explore the many sights of Italy. Senior Soapie Dellorusso said, “I know Italy is a very cool place and I am excited to go there.” Senior Andrea Bartolotta agrees, saying, “It’s going to be really exciting. I can’t wait to explore Italian culture.”