DEVRY UNIVERSITY

The American Culture

The significance of space in the American culture
Prem 2/20/2014

Professor Barbara Monaghan Engl. 108-13800

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What is American culture? Is there an American culture? Can the American culture be grounded on ethnicity; class differentiation created by economic prosperity; demonstration of wealth with reference to the size of the home occupied; or are there other instruments to consider? How significant is space in the American Culture. There are many dynamics to consider when classifying the American Culture, especially with regards to the significance of space. Historically, it is documented, that from the beginning of mankind, those who are in command and economically powerful have occupied vast spaces larger than their peers. Kings and Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers, Barons and Land Owners, to name a few; and now sports personalities and software entrepreneurs are in this category. This propensity to reside in massive spaces by certain groups of people is evident; just observe some of their places of abode: castles, mansions and high rise apartments in specific areas. Most of the people who occupy these spaces have various reasons for being there, but basically it is the capital they possess. They in turn, embrace a culture derived from the affluence of that wealth. What about low income earners and the unemployed? What is their American culture? Do they fit into the mainstream American life style regardless of the space they take up or are they considered out casts, despised and shunned by people, who, because of their wealth, believe they are superior to them? Low income earners essentially populate the urban area where the space is cramp and stifling. This inclination to cluster the city areas originates from job location, transportation and the low cost of apartment rental, contingent to the area. The culture here may be, not of ethnicity and originality, but of survival. The projects, expanse of places called the hood, trailer parks and neighborhoods settled by hillbillies have their unique culture. You live here; you abide by

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the rules here. This kind of culture is steep in crime and corruption. Murder, drug and alcohol addiction is an accepted fact. The most important and vigorous of rules they adhere to, is silence and tending inquisitiveness. It is not a strange sight to see many unemployed young people walking aimlessly about and little children peeping with sad eyes, through dirty window panes, maybe all alone. Fear permeates these communities like an unseen ghost; waiting to manifest itself. This is not culture, this is surrendered acceptance to the present situation until an opportunity present itself to move on. Unlike the low income workers, many immigrants flock to zones that are dwelled by people they identify with but still have to accommodate claustrophobic like spaces. Most of these places have a moniker attached to them (Little Italy, China Town). From their diners, restaurants, bodega, shops and stores, the ethnicity of these communities will be obvious. The smell of food, the language and mode of dress are other factors that ascertain the individuality of the culture of the group living there. The culture of many of immigrants remains with them, though often polluted by some form of Americanization. Most immigrants are also inclined to stay in the same environment of their background and traditions forever, but the landscape may be changing. The exception of this norm becomes apparent from the off springs of these immigrants . After being exposed to the American style of life, those who gain a college education and obtain high paying salaries will not be burden with the responsibility of their culture; they would move on to places that suit their pockets and status. Culturally they would change to what they contemplate to be the American standard where the size of their house, the area of their home and the purchase of material things with brand names like Tiffany and Polo is synonymous with a higher style of living.

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Middle income people on the other hand, will settle in neighborhoods with big houses, not mansions but buildings that the low income employees cannot afford. These houses are generally in safe neighborhoods and even gated communities. Ethnicity of the surroundings is not a criterion in choosing their homes. The beauty of the area, the appearance and affordability of the house are the principles of their choice. The men will drive semi-expensive cars and the wives will own mini-vans, become soccer moms and take the family to church on Sundays. Culturally, they are about the same as the low income folks. The food, the clothes, the shopping malls might be the same; but the differences are, they have broader spaces to dwell, dissimilar recreational venues and more money to spend. Some middle income individuals will strive to move up the social ladder by purchasing far larger houses than the one they presently owned even if they cannot afford it. They assume that the bigger the house the higher their status, and culturally they owe it to themselves, since they work very hard and deserve it. Lewis writes Americans feel a deep urge to live in houses that are bigger than they can afford. This desire cuts so cleanly through the population that it touches just about everyone. Its the acceptable lust.(Lewis, n.p.) The same cannot be said for the high class society. This is the class which is considered to achieve the real American Dream. Everyone, from those who inherit old money to those who acquire new money through some kind of entrepreneurial skill or scheme or from their sports related ability, wants their name to be associated with this fraction. This category of people consists of what is now referred to as the very rich one percent and the upper middle class, although the gap is widening between the two groups. Lewis states Upper middle class is a sneaky designation, however. Its a way of saying Im well-off without having to say Im rich, even if, by most standards, you are. (Lewis, n.p.) The culture here,

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have nothing to do with traditions, but copies of established life styles of the very rich. The vast space and huge mansions, the very expensive cars and the trophy wives they possess are just show pieces that mirror the enormous capital they control. This is their values, this is their beliefs. Despite the fact that America is recognized for inventing almost every mechanical, electrical and computer machines, well-known for hot dogs and barbeque and famous for their sports, movies, plays and music; is there an American culture? The answer is no. There is no American culture per se; but there is an Americanized version of a culture which incorporates all the customs, habits, and way of life of many different civilizations from all over the world. America is considered the melting pot of all traditions which is now known as the western culture. Americans embrace it as theirs and gladly share it with the rest of whole world.

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References

Lewis, M. (2008, September 18). The Mansion: A Subprime Parable. When Michael Lewis and His Family. Retrieved from http://upstart.bizjournals.com/culture-lifestyle/goods/realestate/2008/09/18/Michael-Lewis-Mansion.html?page=all