In the article entitled ‘American Values and Assumptions,’ the author talks about the different set of values shared in American culture. This essay summarizes the ideas of the author and gives an insight into how these values are perceived in Turkish society.
The author begins with individualism explaining how children in America are raised to be independent. Althen gives an example of a boy and his mother, in which the mother is teaching her son a lesson of deciding on his own, which shows the importance of individualism in America. The author then talks about young Americans adults, who live on their own and take responsibility for their decisions. The values the author puts forth are differently perceived but changing in Turkish society. For one thing, while living for others is common in Turkey, ‘every man for himself’ is the lifestyle in America. Freedom and being on ones’ own is not the general understanding. For example, the decision to move out is not supported by Turkish parents, who like to be involved in their children’s’ lives at all times. The children, until they are married, are financed by the father who is almost entirely responsible for the future of the children. However, in recent years, because of intercultural interaction, individualism is growing within Turkish society. Nowadays young adults are living alone or even studying abroad.
Althens continues with competition, privacy, equality, and informality in America. He talks about competition being taught in schools to give the children the sense of accomplishment. While some Turkish families consider competition essential to reach goals, others are content with what they have. The author talks about privacy in America by saying that Americans sometimes want privacy to gather their thoughts, whereas Turkish people like to talk about their problems or ideas openly. Visiting friends and relatives is a significant social activity. Unlike the nucleic American family, large families in which the parents and grandparents live together are widespread in Turkey. Americans like to think of themselves as equal to any other person; honorific names, the family descendant is insignificant, which is why they are irritated when someone treats them differently. The author states that the notion of equality has brought informality. Introduction with first name, conversational language, confrontation and expressing feelings are not improper manners in America. Although equality is not different in Turkish society, some people take up honorific titles, which do not suggest superiority, rather the occupation of that person. However, informality is not accepted in Turkish society except when talking to family or old friends. For instance, when you introduce yourself to Turkey, you refer to the other person in 2nd plural form.
Finally, Althen talks about how Americans work hard, use time wisely, like achievement, action, and change. In summarising the text, Americans believe in the saying ‘where there is a will; there is a way,’ which means if you want a future you can make it. They assume that change brings progress, so they work hard for a better future. They plan things with to-do lists and complete tasks promptly. However, Turkish people believe in life having its way, which shows that the recognition ‘if you want it, you will get it’ is not accepted by all Turks. Unlike the Americans, time should be valued, but being 15 minutes late is tolerable by most Turkish people.
In conclusion, we can say that some notions may be similar to each other, others are perceived differently. While Americans are living individualistic-western values, Turks are collectivists, who are sometimes influenced by the west, in their principles.