When studying and comparing different cultures, one of the main things that stands out about U.S. culture is our relative lack of traditional norms and obligations. Most Americans are free to decide what to do with their own lives--rather than having life paths laid out for them by class, gender, and familial roles--and they have few formal obligations toward family members. Discuss how these cultural characteristics manifest in the cultural dimensions of uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and individualism/collectivism.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary but should cover these basic points: Americans are expected to find their own path in life and are not restricted to specific roles based on class and gender. As a result, U.S. culture has a low degree of uncertainty avoidance, because people are expected overcome uncertainty and take risks in order to succeed. It is also low in power distance because U.S. Americans are expected to rise as high as they can in the social and economic hierarchy rather than “staying their place” in society. Finally, U.S. culture is individualistic because individuals are expected to achieve success on their own and attain the ideal of the “self-made man/woman,” rather than relying on family for support.