Comparing America, Mexico, Kenya, And France

Around the world there are thousands of cultures. Each culture having its similarities and differences. Elements of six distinct cultures will be compared and contrasted. The following elements of each culture will be compared with each other: education, shelter/clothing, religion, language, and government. The six countries/cultures that will be compared are the United States of America, Mexico, Haiti, Australia, Kenya, and France.

Part 1: There are many elements to the American culture. American English is the most spoken language in the U.S., followed closely by Spanish. A majority of Americans live in a house, apartment, or condo with full access to running water, bathrooms, refrigerators, and fully functioning laundry machines and kitchen
appliances. The size and quality of all of those things is dependant on their salary or how much they are willing to pay. There is often little to no religious or cultural significance in the clothing that Americans wear on a daily basis, with the exception of holidays and religious events. Many different religions may be found in AMerica as there are no restrictions on religions. Although, a lot of people are or identify as Christian. The American government is constitution based. Aside from the national government, each state has its own government as well. The president is elected by US citizens every four years in November. In America, the government is dominated by two parties, democrats and republicans. Republicans are more conservative on moral issues and social spending, while democrats support federal funding for social programs that favor minorities, the environment, and women's rights. At a young age, most children are put into daycare by their parents. By the age of five, children are moved into a public or private grade school, where most of them will stay until they are eighteen. Public schools are operated by the government. Because they are tuition free, a portion of taxpayer money is used to fund these schools. It is mandatory by law to attend school until age sixteen before dropping out. Private schools are the alternative to public schools and often provide a more nurturing environment and in some cases, a higher quality education. In order to attend a private school in America, you must pay a tuition cost because it is not funded by taxpayer money. After high school, fifty percent of Americans go on to college or some type of post secondary training. Collage is necessary for most high paying jobs. Tuition costs for a college education may be $20,000 a year depending on the institute.

Mexican culture has many similarities to elements of American culture mentioned in the above passage.
There is no official language in Mexico, but Spanish is the most spoken language. Also, Mexico has the largest population of Spanish speakers. Only six percent of the population is Non-Spanish speaking. There are sixty two other indigenous languages spoken in Mexico, along with English. There are many people living in poverty in Mexico, with wealthier families living in houses or apartments. For wealthier families, their clothing is often influenced by international trends. In more rural areas, it is common for people to wear traditional skirts, huipils (sleeveless tunics), capes known as quechquémitls, and shawls called rebozos. Ninety percent of the Mexican population is Catholic, incorporating pre-hispanic mayan elements into their religious practices. There are still smaller communities of Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists. Mexico is a federal republic, its government powers are divided upon the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each stage has a governor who serves a six year term. At age four, all children are required to go to kindergarten. After kindergarten, they are required to go to primary school for six years. Thirty two percent of the population over age fifteen have not completed primary school. Public schools are government operated and tuition free, while private schools are independently operated and charge tuition. In Mexico, both public and
private schools religion is taught. Both schools also require uniforms. Beginning in kindergarten, children are expected to follow gender norms. If they don't follow the norms, they are frowned upon and the behavior is corrected. Being accepted to college symbolises socioeconomic progress and well-being. Hatian culture differs slightly from American and Mexican cultures.
Creole is the national language of Haiti, it is the most commonly spoken language as well as their native language. In modern times, English and French have also started to be used. Ninety percent of the population lives in displaced person camps. Others live in small huts with little to no running water or air conditioning. Land is distributed fairly evenly, but the land distribution is very minimal. Clothing is usually passed down from older relatives. Shirts and pants may be made of cloth or sewn together pieces of rags or pieces of cloth. Most people are unable to afford shoes. Wealthier families are able to buy new cotton clothes and shoes. A majority of the population is Catholic, and some also practice Voodoo. Voodoo is a religious practice that came from African and Catholic origins. Haiti is a republic with a bicameral legislature, which means they consists of two legislative houses. They have had multiple constitutional changes and are currently the poorest country in the western
hemisphere.

Opposite to Haiti is Australia. In Australian culture, Australian English is the top spoken language aside from a few other native languages. Very similar to American English, Australian English has been modified to adapt to Australian slang words or phrases. Most people in AUstralia live in houses or apartments. Clean water is accessible to almost all families. Clothing norms and styles are extremely similar to those of American and European cultures. The constitution allows religious freedom. Australia is the most religiously diverse due to high immigration patterns. There are dozens of different religions being practiced, but Christianity is still the most common. Australian government operates like European governments, with federal and state elections every four years. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party are the two major political parties. The right to a high quality education is a right for all citizens. The government provides schooling for all students ages six to fifteen. Colleges and universities are also mostly paid for by the government, different from the other countries.

Different from all the rest is Kenya. Swahili is the most used language in Kenya. In some of the larer cities, people speak both Swahili and English. In rual areas, some families are forced to live in houses made of trash and corrigated metal. Most without running clean water or electrecity. People in the cities may live in houses or apartments. Some people wear sheets for clothes because they can not afford clothes. Others make clothes out of facric scraps and older clotheing. In wealthier areas, like the cities, people dress casual doing the day but may dress up at night. Most of the population identifies as a Protestant. Muslums and Roman Catholics make up the minority. Kenya is divided into seven provinces. The president is both chief of state and head of the government. He is chosen from among the members of the National Assembly, and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term.