American Culture

Culture Shock- This applies to anyone that is surprised by the way another culture acts. This is very prominent in America where you can see people being judged for their culture. For example, Muslims in America are treated very differently simply because they are Muslim and this country has preconceived notions of what their culture really stands for. This leads to ethnocentrism or judging someone's culture based off of our culture's rules. In The Values Americans Live By by Kohl, he talks about how Americans value certain things that other cultures may not, or just not value as much. For example, Kohl talks about how Americans value time a lot. This can lead to some misunderstandings between someone of a different culture because they might not look at the idea of time the same way Americans do.

Material Culture- These are the things that a culture values that are tangible. In America for instance, money, clothes, and are all examples of material culture. It can be said that America as a country, worries too much about the material culture instead of the non-material culture. Some countries view the non-material to be much more important than the material.

Non-Material-  These are the non-tangible things like language, gestures, and norms. A lot of the conflict that develops between cultures is due to misunderstandings. In God Grew Tired of Us the lost boys are somewhat taken aback by the way Americans interact with one another. They say that in Sudan it is normal to just walk into someone's home when you need something, but in America, that is considered trespassing. As a result, some of the boys get in trouble with the police due to other misunderstandings between the two cultures. Even for things like traveling in large groups together, is considered threatening to people in America.

Effects of Living in America- As the lost boys continue to live in America, some of them start to adapt to a more American way of lifestyle like dressing differently and learning how to drive. Some of them even start to talk differently. One of the lost boys, in particular, John Bul Dau, has a problem with those who have assimilated because he feels they have lost their culture. Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing, it is hard to argue that it must have been easier for the boys who changed than it was for those who didn't. Simply because of how this country operates. By growing up in America, most of my own values and goals have been shaped by the culture. My dreams and aspirations are more fueled by ideas of wealth and power than they are by happiness and peace. After all, America runs on capitalism and you can't have capitalism without competition. For example, most of my academic career has been fueled by getting the higher score, not because I necessarily value the knowledge, but because everyone else is getting a high score and if you don't you will be judged. Thankfully I realized this pretty early and I can say that since I have noticed it, I have been enjoying school a lot more because I want to learn, not because I am trying to beat someone else. This is what people in America should really focus on in my opinion. Finding the thing thaty truly makes you happy should be a higher priority to people than getting what everyone else says will make them happy.