Bai 3:Belief and value

Why immigrants are attracted to the US?
-Land
-Resources
-Beliefs & Values
I. American Dream
& Traditional Beliefs
Pham Phuong Hoa
Country studies division
What was their dream when they sailed to America
2. American beliefs
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
Practicality
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, self-service
=> quick, practical
2. American beliefs
Volunteerism in Community & Political life
Vietnam: Volunteer = Government
US?
US:
people helping people through private rather than government sponsored agencies
Unpaid, highly motivated people, organize themselves to solve a community problem/meet a social need rather than waiting for the government
6/10: volunteer (pride)
2. American beliefs
Psychology of abundance
Historically: Us has been regarded as a land of limitless wealth
East: fertile, cheap land for everyone
=> exhausted, abandoned
West: farmer, hunters, fur trappers, gold miners, cattle ranchers
Buffalo almost extinct, forests cut & burnt, polluted rivers
Changing attitudes & adopt new values though hard to acknowledge
2. American beliefs
Mobility
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
Individual Freedom
Self-Reliance
Equality of Opportunity
Equality of Competition
Material Wealth
Hard Work
2. American beliefs
Patriotism
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
Individual Freedom
Self-Reliance
Equality of Opportunity
Equality of Competition
Material Wealth
Hard Work
Rights vs. Duties
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
Freedom in reality?
NOT always corresponded to reality
Black slavery (until Civil War)
Religions
Race
Sex
Age
Discrimination – some groups, individuals are not as free as others
Self-Reliance
Must learn to rely on themselves
risk losing freedom, or
respects of the peers
The traditional basic
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?)
Equality of Opportunity

Free from excessive political, religious and social controls
No formal class system
Better chance for personal success
Attracts generations of immigrants
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 competitive sports
Constant emotional strain
Duty
May feel useless and unwanted when retired
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
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 necessarily bring great material rewards
Necessary and rewarding
However, Majority still believe in the value of hard-work : should hold jobs and not live off welfare payments
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)