According to Henslin, value is defined as code, standards, or worthiness that is considered to be desirable either by an individual or a group of people (2010). Value acts as a guide of life to make one fit in a certain society or to live well with other people. Values are general and conceptual in nature, unlike norms that are very specific. Through values one is able to define his or her moral goals in life. Ones value in life shows the standards by which he or she describes the ideas of what is desired (Henslin, 2010).
America is a pluralistic society as it entails various groups with different political, social, and religious views. This paper will be describing two significant values in American culture that include, achievement and success and individualism. Individualism entails one possessing a trait of being persistence consistently whereby such an individual is considered able to rise from the bottom to top.
The American culture is known to blame a person if he or she fails to get ahead rather than the system that may have blocked him or her. From the past, Americans have believed that victory comes from ones effort and initiative. Personal victory, especially outstanding among the rest, being the best in work and in school, becoming rich, possessing power, and reputation is valued much in America (Henslin, 2010).
The value of being persistence and staying consistent has made me to overcome a lot of obstacles in my life starting from my family life, in school, and in my social life. This value made me to know my purpose in my family, whereby I knew my duties and responsibilities and the importance of fulfilling them.
The value of individualism made me to have a vision in whatever I was about to undertake be it in school or with my friends. This made me to choose wisely my friends, who could help me to realize my vision and purpose in life. The same value as an adult will continue to help me have a good relationship with my colleagues in my working place, as I would be able to overcome my challenges and assist them solve theirs too.
When one is persistence, the idea of giving up is fully eradicated from his or her life (Henslin, 2010). Incase of hardships and solving conflicts, this value pushes one until the solution is found. Anyone who is in a position to solve conflicts on his or her way, and meet challenges accordingly, has a healthy friendship with people in all areas.
Achievement and success is another important value that has taken me through the childhood life to adulthood. In our family, when we were young, this value motivated me to work hard, behave well among my peers that I could be the best among my siblings, and the best pupil in class (Hunter, 2003).
Making efforts to be the best ensures one trends carefully avoiding the common mistakes that may hinder success. In the working situation, one would always work tirelessly, meet the targets on time, meet the company objectives, and serve the clients efficiently to be considered successful. Getting a good grade in school, being a role model among peers, or getting promotion in work would require one to work hard and achieve higher. In general, becoming successful in life would call for this value in day to day activities.
Reference List
Henslin, J. M. (2010). Essentials of Sociology, A Down-to-Earth Approach. New York: Prentice Hall.
Hunter, W. S. (2003). Psychological abstructs. New York: American Psychological Association.