The Values Americans Live By - Kohls Paper

The Values Americans Live By - Kohls Paper

L. Robert Kohls, Executive Director for The Washington International Center discusses the American cultural values and how they may be seen through the eyes of international visitors. In his article he provides a list of thirteen ingrained values that most, if not all Americans have and share. He also explains how American actions through these values are very strange and unsettling in comparison to foreigner’s values.

He calls these values “The Values Americans Live By” a list of thirteen values that explain how Americans act and what they deem as important to American society. He tries to explain this in a way that will assist international visitors understand the nature of American culture and how it may differ from theirs. He begins to explain that Americans cannot put their finger on their own values and are not able to identify what they believe as a whole. He also explains that the list is viewed by Americans as positive meaning that all the values listed are looked on as very favorable and advantageous to its culture.

The list starts with how man has the right and should control nature and uses the example of space travel and landing on the moon. He explains that Americans do not rely on fate and will go so far as to criticize and demean people that do. Americans at all costs will do whatever it takes to control nature. Change is the next on the list and is inevitably a good thing that brings progression, advancement, and evolution. He suggests that Americans do not find much value in the heritage and traditions of more mature societies. The first two values are what he considers American truisms, they are because that is what is believed. Americans through hard work and change can make it happen. Time and controlling it is one of the most important to Americans, at every turn they are insistent of its value. Setting appointments, being on time and never wasting a moment are all ways to make more happen in a shorter amount of time. Americans live in a 24/7 world and do not plan on stopping anytime soon. It is vital to have everyday planned out with a schedule that is full at all times making Americans more productive and happier people, or so this is what they believe.

Americans have faith that all men are “created equal” no matter where you are from or what you look like or even how smart you are. They are certain that we all start off the same and through hard work anyone has the opportunity to become the riches man/women on earth or even president. This is proven with many of the societal civic and governmental rights and is one of the most prized values that Americans hold. Kohls describes this as very disturbing to international visitors with strong conviction in class structure. The next value tackled is individualism of the very special American. Most view themselves as exceptional and diverse from everyone else in the same group. They hold a strong Self-help Concept and view this as the model way to achieve success in America. It is very apparent when you walk into any bookstore you find rows upon rows of self-help books, numerous classes on the self, and TV shows based on self-improvement.

Competition is the foundation for American free enterprise and what ultimately drives the whole of their economy. It challenges them to work better, stronger and harder. Competition is a driving force in all areas of their life, work and family. They are taught at a very early age the benefits of competition in sports, school and even in play. It is a compulsion that many Third World countries view as an abnormal significance. Americans are focused with the future and the happiness it will bring them. They do not live in the past or present but are concentrated with what the future has in store. They go to great lengths even across the world to design and accomplish their objectives. What the future will bring is the true driving force for much of America and provides a great sense of hope and value to their daily lives. This value for other cultures is not only problematic but may also be viewed as sinful. The next value focuses on action/work orientations and the constant drive to achieve something in their daily life. They are workhorses in their professional and personal lives that view downtime as lost time and a waste. They do not see value in activities that do not accomplish a goal or produce a product. They are obsessed with “Doing” and find it very troubling if people are not at work even at play. Americans are surprised if you do not have a set career or have major accomplishments under your belt at an early age. They look at you like “what is wrong with you?” and are concerned with what you should be doing.

American society, greetings, dress and interactions are filled with informality. Kohls points out that Americans give off a feeling of instant familiarity that will unnerve many people from other cultures. He admits that Americans find this positive and welcoming and not as an insult or rudeness. Americans value openness and honesty finding anything other than direct communication unscrupulous and unreliable. They are very critical of people and companies that they feel are not being upfront. Americans are also very practical and efficient in business and on personal levels. They do not value emotions and philosophy the same as realism and practicality. They are extremely pioneering and pride themselves on being the society of great inventions. Americans are viewed as materialistic above all other cultures and societies. They have more, want more and believe they deserve it by working hard. They own more than most people in other countries could ever dream of having or acquiring. This is highly valued in American culture where everyone is trying to out buy their neighbors next door. They value possessions as important and interpersonal relationships as insignificant.

Kohls summarizes that knowledge of this list can help explain American culture and encourages the reader to study other aspects of American society and how they fit in the list of thirteen. He also shows a chart that compares U.S values vs. Some Other Country’s values and how different people are from other places around the world. He then asks the reader to identify what values represent their native country.

When I first read this article I thought it was very funny and a bit far-fetched but as I continued down the list I truly began to see how close the thirteen values came to American culture and society. It is a real and somewhat chilling observation of Americans and what we deem as important and vital.

Sources
“The Values Americans Live By.” Kohls, L Robert. In The Values Americans Live By, 1984.