Future shock

Because change comes so thick and fast, the American has been called “the constantly jumping man.” The last two decades have been particularly fast-paced, in gadgetry as well as in mores. Just in the last few years, fax machines, cellular phones, computerized burglar alarms, microwave ovens, and video cassette recorders have become commonplace.

Alvin Toffler in his popular book, Future Shock, made the claim that all Americans are living in a state of shock due to the increasing tempo of change in our lives. Future shock, he says, is worse than culture shock because there is no resolution. The only resource is to become more adaptable than ever before, leading to a loss of identity.

Others would argue that all these changes are superficial, and American life continues with the family around the turkey at Thanksgiving, with morals and outlook intact. But at the very least, the acquisition and care of new products explains where a lot of an American’s leisure time goes.

INDEPENDENCE

Cowboys never were a large part of the population, and they’re very scarce now, but in many ways they characterize the American ideal - self-reliant, tough, risk-taking, and masculine. The cowboy stands alone, pitting himself against the elements. His strongest tie is to his horse.

In many countries, people cannot conceive of themselves apart from the family or group they belong to; their loyalty is to the group and their achievements are for the group. In America, instead, self-reliance is the fundamental virtue. Each person is a solo operation, and independence is considered the birthright of every child. Our highest aspiration is self-fulfillment, and it’s only the unencumbered person who can become his true self. Many decisions that would be made by the group in other cultures are made by the individual here.

Newcomers, especially those from tightly knit families, are frequently aghast to discover that American children quite regularly leave home - with their parents’ blessings - at the age of 18. From then on, they will make most of their own decisions without their parents’ help, having already been quite independent during their teenage years. Should they linger too long under the parental roof they will cause anxiety. The child’s job is to go out into the world and succeed. The job of the parents is to give the children every opportunity while they are growing up and then get out of their way.

Realistically, there are many ways in which families can and do help their grown children, but they will try to make light of their assistance Children are not to be burdened with a sense of obligation.

Asian families, who are often successful in acquiring real estate in the United States, are surprised to discover that American parents are not expected to contribute to the down payment on a house for their married children. Although this leaves the children free of obligation to them, it also - especially in these times of high real estate prices - leaves many bereft of any hope of owning a house.

Many of the aspects of American life that seem most baffling to foreigners make sense in light of the freedom principle. Aged parents as well as children remain independent. If you want to be a salmon fisherman in Alaska, you go. You don’t have to stay home to take care of your elders. In fact, sticking around your home town could suggest a lack of backbone, a failure of imagination and courage. American psychiatrists are quick to conclude that their patients’ problems stem from “inadequate separation” from parents.

The individual comes first. We do not consider this selfish. A person serves society by living up to his potential. The classic American hero is someone who succeeded on his own, pulling himself up by his own bootstraps. The finest American literature extols the rebel: Huckleberry Finn, Moby Dick, Walden. “I Did It My Way,” sang Frank Sinatra in a classic popular song.