Dominant Culture Examples in America
America is a diverse country, with different cultures, beliefs, and values. However, there’s a prominent culture that dominates the nation. It’s the culture that shapes social norms, standards, and expectations in the society. Dominant culture refers to the prevailing beliefs, language, and behaviors of a social group or society. These cultural elements are institutionalized and normalized to the extent of becoming an unquestioned part of everyday life. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the dominant culture examples in America.
The English Language
English is the dominant language in America. It’s the official language of government, business, education, and media. English is the language used in most public communication, including advertisements, road signs, and school curricula. It’s also the most commonly spoken language at home, and its use has been enforced through laws and policies. English language dominance has marginalized other languages and cultures, leading to the loss of cultural identity and practice among diaspora groups.
The Nuclear Family
The nuclear family is the most dominant form of family in America. It consists of a father, mother, and their children living together. This family model is seen as the norm and promoted in most media, literature, and pop culture. Other family models, such as extended families, single-parent families, and same-sex families, are often stigmatized and portrayed as deviant. The nuclear family structure also legitimates gender roles, where the father is the primary breadwinner and the mother is responsible for the home and children.
The Protestant Work Ethic
The Protestant work ethic is an American value that emphasizes hard work, individual responsibility, and self-reliance. It’s a cultural belief that work is a means to attain success, wealth, and social status. The work ethic is institutionalized in the American education system, where good grades and test scores are seen as measures of success. This cultural belief has also contributed to income inequality, where the rich are seen as hard-working and deserving of their wealth, while the poor are seen as lazy and undeserving.
The American Dream
The American Dream is a cultural belief that anyone can succeed through hard work and determination, regardless of their background or social status. It’s the belief that with enough effort and perseverance, anyone can achieve the “American Dream” of home ownership, a good job, and upward mobility. The American Dream has been institutionalized in American media, education, and politics. However, it’s a myth that ignores the structural barriers that limit individual success, such as racism, sexism, and economic inequality.
Conclusion
Dominant culture shapes our beliefs, behaviors, and values in society. The examples mentioned in this blog post are just some of the dominant culture examples in America. Despite its pervasive influence, dominant culture isn’t necessarily inclusive or representative of all cultural groups. It’s essential to recognize and question dominant cultural norms to create a more inclusive and equitable society.