Summary on Comprehending American Worldview

In the short article "Comprehending American Worldview," the author J. LaVelle Ingram describes the cross cultural distinctions between Americans and immigrants. It also informs immigrants the irregular worldview of the American nation they are embracing. Hence, these set of worldviews are categorized in 5 measurements.

In America, the very first recognized measurements of worldview is that time focuses on the future rather of the past. Living for-the-moment and living according to the past are both perceived as improper by American standards. Americans live in the future and find it vital conserve cash for their retirement or for their kids's education.

On the other hand, some immigrants are more present oriented so they will invest money on just the most important things they need at that moment.

The idea that human beings ought to have the ability to master nature is another aspect of the worldview. This worldview suggests that we ought to have the ability to defeat diseases at all costs, hence American families will take any surgical procedures necessary in order to cure their relative from an illness.

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However, some immigrants see this idea much more differently. They will consider the disease a reflection of some imbalance in living so altering their way of living would be more effective or that such disease belongs to their fate. We Americans would have problem comprehending such choices.

In the American point of view, the 3rd identified measurement of worldview is that human nature is stated to be excellent or mixed. The author states that personal flexibility is core value as it recommends that the society as a whole will work if you count on the individuals to measure up to their best selves.

The less constraints implemented on people the much better. Some cultures, on the other had view human nature as cynical and selfish thus, it is considered bad. In this case, in order for individuals to remain on the right course they need to be monitored carefully to avoid unfavorable impulses.

Another identified dimension from Ingram’s article refers to the individual's wishes, needs and aspirations being more important regardless of their groups or family and if needed, it is appropriate for an individual to move away to become independent. In America, since the social relations sense is individuality, college students are able to decide on their own majors, young women have the freedom to live in their own apartment, and young men who have jobs are not obligated to give money to the family. However, in several other cultures such behaviors are considered disrespectful. A personal example would be ever since I was young, everyone in my family wanted me to pursue a career in the medical field.

Once I started community college, I took a few courses pertaining Pharmacy Technology and Medical Assistant but I realized these careers did not meet my interests. It was difficult telling my family what truly interested me and they were disappointed for a while, but in the end they were supportive. In some cultures we may seem heartless or selfish for not following what our group or families instilled us, but we are simply taking care of ourselves according to the American worldview. The fifth identified dimension of worldview is that what one does or accomplishes, is more important than the way they conduct themselves.

A person's job is highly important in determining one's relative value in the society. Athletes and celebrities conduct themselves the way they want to because they are rich but nonetheless, they will be judged based on what they do rather than their character because of the values, ideas, and beliefs different culture hold. This article was very interesting and informative. I was able have a better grasp of the American worldview. Immigrants do not have to assimilate or reject American worldviews to live in America but instead a more effective solution is to recognize these cross cultural differences and consciously negotiate them.