Equality/egalitarianism

Equality is perhaps the most prized American value and is enshrined in the preamble to the United States Declaration of Independence, which states that “all men are created equal” [20]. The concept is further preserved in the Constitution, which states, “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States” [21]. The founders of our nation sought to ensure that the English social caste system (a landed, hereditary aristocracy) they had escaped could not develop in America. Rather than focus on the literal meaning of “created equal,” let us look at the ideals behind those words, which we believe were best explained by Abraham Lincoln in 1860, when he said, “We do wish to allow the humblest man an equal chance to get rich with everybody else.” Thus, the value that pervades contemporary U.S. society can be termed “equal opportunity.” All people should have the same opportunity to succeed in life, and the state, through laws and educational opportunities, is expected to guarantee that right.

The American value of equal opportunity translates into equality and informality in social relationships. For instance, most of the primary social relationships within a family tend to promote egalitarianism rather than hierarchy. Formality is generally not important. In secondary relationships, most friendships and coworkers are also treated as equals, usually interacting on a first name basis. People from cultures that adhere to formal social structures often find it disconcerting to work with Americans, whom they believe diminish the value of social status differences. We are not implying that Americans completely ignore hierarchy, but it is usually a secondary consideration or applied only in specific contexts, such as seating arrangements and formal introductions.

We should remember that contradictions often exist within U.S. values. The history of the United States is replete with examples of discrimination based on skin color, ethnicity, gender, level of education, social class, sexual preference, and even choice of religion. Unfortunately, today some people still continue to use these criteria to evaluate others. While she acknowledges that many Americans have experienced periods of inequality, Hanson points out “Not all citizens have had equal rights throughout the course of the country’s history, but Americans nevertheless value the notion highly and strive toward this ideal” [22].

Individuality and privacy

Another important cultural value in the United States is individuality, often referred to as “freedom” by Americans [23]. Broadly speaking, individualism, as developed in the works of the seventeenth-century English philosopher John Locke, holds that each person is unique, special, completely different from all other individuals, and the basic unit of nature” [24]. Locke’s view is simple: The interests of the individual are or ought to be paramount, and all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals. Individualism commands so much influence among Americans that it gives rise to other U.S. values, such as personal initiative, self-reliance, and equal opportunity.

The emphasis on the individual is also found elsewhere in the world, but it has emerged as the cornerstone of American culture. The origin of this value has a long history. The emphasis on individualism arose from the early settlers’ desire to escape the repressive conditions that then characterized European society [25]. Whether one is considering sexual, social, or ethical matters, among Americans the self holds the pivotal position. This notion is so strong that some Americans see a person who fails to demonstrate individuality as being out of step with society. Regardless if conveyed by literature, art, or American history, the message is the same  individual achievement, sovereignty, and freedom are the virtues most glorified and canonized.

Despite today’s stress on personal freedom and individual rights, Americans also have a very distinct group orientation. The United States is a culture of voluntarism, where people participate in groups of their own choosing [26]. Gannon and Pillai bring this point out. “Americans are also group-oriented and being part of a group or network and identifying with it is essential for success in almost all instances. Within the group structure specialization is exalted and everyone is expected to add value to the final product or service because of it” [27]. In each case, a person’s specialty is used to benefit the entire team (group) while concurrently providing a degree of individual identity.