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Lifestyle
The family remains central to US society, and more than half of
unmarried adults between the ages of 18 and 24 still live with their parents.
Even so, the American family has changed considerably in recent decades. Today
only about one-quarter of all households consist of a traditional nuclear family, and more than half
of all households have no children. One out of every four
children is born out of wedlock, and there has been a large
increase in the number of single-parent families.
Almost 45.9 per cent (1996) of all working Americans are
women. In many households where both the husband and wife work outside the home,
men are expected to share household duties. Men have also been playing an
increasing role in raising their children. With both parents working, the use
of, and need for, day care facilities are increasing; this is especially true
for single-parent families. Among the growing proportion of the elderly
population, many prefer to live in their own homes and maintain their
independence. Those who cannot care for themselves may live in retirement
communities or other institutions, or with their adult children. However, extended families are not common in the US. The US
family is more mobile than in many other societies. It is common to move from
one region of the country to another for education, employment, or simply a
change of climate and scenery. Some people
may move 15 times or more during a lifetime.
Although many couples
choose to live together before, or instead of, marriage, the marriage rate is
one of the highest in western societies—but the
divorce rate is also the world’s highest. Weddings vary in style according to
religion, region, ethnic origins, and wealth. Both religious and secular people may be legally
authorized to perform weddings. The average age for marriage
is 26 for men and 24 for women.
Americans eat a lot
of fast food such as hamburgers, pizza, and fried chicken, but their diet
embraces an enormous range of foods from all over the world. Staples include potatoes, pasta, breads, and rice
prepared with a variety of sauces. In the past two decades, eating habits have
changed as people have become more health conscious, but many Americans continue
to eat red meat (beef in particular) as well as pork, and chicken and other
fowl. People visiting the US for the first time are often amazed at the size of
the steaks and other portions of food served in restaurants. Fresh fish and seafood are widely available on the coasts and near major rivers and lakes,
and a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruit is available
year-round. An extensive food-distribution system makes fresh
farm products available to all parts of the country. Americans
also consume large amounts of chocolate, ice cream, and other
forms of confectionery. Although beer, wine, and other
alcoholic beverages are available and popular in most areas,
many Americans abstain from alcohol for health or religious
reasons, and various kinds of mineral water are commonly
available.
Eating styles and
habits vary between people of different backgrounds, but
Americans generally eat with the fork in the hand with which
they write. A knife is used for cutting and spreading;
otherwise, it is laid on the plate or table. Fast foods, such
as chips, fried chicken, hamburgers, pizza, and tacos, tend to
be eaten with the fingers. In general, table manners are
casual, although it is traditionally considered impolite to
rest elbows on the table. There is a significant difference
between what people may do at home or in a fast-food
restaurant, and how they act in a more formal restaurant.
Because both parents often work outside the home, some
Americans are less likely to sit down as a family to eat once
the children are older and able to prepare their own food or
serve themselves.
Both men and women
usually smile and shake hands when greeting. Good friends and family members may
embrace when they meet, especially after a long absence. In casual situations, a
wave may be used instead of a handshake. Americans may greet strangers on the
street by saying “Hello” or “Good morning”, although they may pass without any
greeting. Among young people, verbal greetings or various hand-slapping
gestures, such as the “high five”, are common. Except in formal situations,
people usually address one another by their first names once they are
acquainted, and often do so on first meeting. Combining a title (such as “Mrs.”,
“Dr.”, or “Ms.”) with a family name shows respect. When greeting someone for the
first time, Americans commonly say, “Pleased to meet you” or “How do you do?”. A simple “Hello” or “Hi” is also common. There are regional variations such as “Aloha” in Hawaii or “Howdy” in parts of the West. Friends often greet
each other with “How are you?” and respond “Fine,
thanks”. Americans do not usually expect any further
answer to the question unless there is a close relationship.
Americans do not
generally stand very close to each other when conversing,
keeping about arm’s length apart. However, they may
spontaneously touch one another on the arm or shoulder during
conversation. It is common for couples to hold hands or show
affection in public. When sitting, both men and women are
often casual when circumstances allow, and they may prop their
feet up on chairs or place the ankle of one leg on the knee of
the other. In more formal settings, however, it is often
considered inappropriate to slouch or be too casual in
demeanor.
Visiting friends,
family, and acquaintances plays a big part of social life in
the United States, and people will travel long distances by
car, bus, train, or aeroplane to do so. People are generally
expected to be on time for appointments or when they are
invited to someone’s home. However, if a guest is late,
Americans will rarely take offence if the visitor has called
in advance to inform them of the delay. In general, the
emphasis during visits is on informality. Guests are expected
to feel comfortable, to sit where they like, and to enjoy
themselves. It usually does not cause offence if a guest
refuses refreshments. Gifts are not expected when visiting,
but many guests bring flowers or wine when invited for a meal.
Close friends may offer, or be asked, to bring an item of food
to serve with the meal.
Baseball,
basketball, American football, and ice hockey are the most
popular spectator and participation sports, but Americans
enjoy an enormous range of activities, including soccer,
cycling, racket-ball (a hybrid of squash and handball),
tennis, swimming, golf, bowling, martial arts, walking,
jogging, and aerobic exercise. Schools, cities, and other
organizations sponsor team sports for the young, and
professional sports are an important part of the culture. In
general, most Americans spend a large amount of their leisure
time socializing or watching television. Other leisure
activities include going to the cinema or concerts,
picnicking, and travelling. Many Americans volunteer for a
wide range of causes, from raising funds to help those who are
less fortunate to tutoring students or leading Scout troops
and youth sports. Even city dwellers enjoy spending time in
the “great outdoors”, camping, hiking, or hunting.
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National
holidays in January include New Year’s Day (1 January) and the
birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. This holiday, which is
observed on the third Monday in January, honours the civil
rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. Because Abraham
Lincoln’s birthday is on 12 February and George Washington’s
birthday is on 22 February, Americans honour these two
presidents, and others, on Presidents’ Day, which occurs the
third Monday in February.
Many Americans celebrate Easter (in either March or
April) by going to church and getting together with their family and friends.
Children often go on Easter-egg hunts to search for hidden dyed eggs and other
treats. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. It honours those who
have given up their lives in defence of their country during wartime. The Fourth
of July is celebrated with fireworks, picnics, and outdoor barbecues. Also known
as Independence Day, this holiday celebrates the signing of the Declaration of
Independence in 1776, when the American colonies separated from Great Britain and formed the
US.
On the first Monday in September, many Americans take a
day off work to mark Labor Day. Trade unions initiated this holiday to
commemorate the achievement of improved labour conditions and a shorter working
day. Columbus Day (honouring the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New
World on 12 October 1492) is now observed on the second Monday in October,
although in recent years Native Americans and others have protested against the
celebration of this day. Veterans’ Day (11 November) honours those who gave
their lives for their country during World Wars I and II. On the fourth Thursday
of November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. The origin of this holiday is
associated with the Pilgrims, who settled in New England in the early 1600s and shared a feast with
members of the indigenous Wampanoag people.
These days, Thanksgiving is celebrated by sharing an elaborate dinner, often
including turkey and several other dishes, with family and friends.
The Christmas season often begins the day
after Thanksgiving. Many people take this day off work to
begin their Christmas shopping. During the month of December,
Americans traditionally decorate their homes with a Christmas
tree, colourful lights, and wreaths. They send greetings cards
to their friends and family, sing Christmas carols, and shop
for gifts. On Christmas Eve (24 December), children
traditionally hang stockings by the fireplace for Santa Claus,
whom they believe will come down the chimney during the night
and leave presents for them. Christmas Day (25 December) is
celebrated as both a religious and secular holiday. Many
Americans who are practising Christians go to church on this
day to honour the birth of Jesus. Many Americans also
celebrate Christmas by joining their family or friends to
exchange gifts, share a meal, drink egg-nog, and observe other
traditions, which may vary according to region or family
heritage.
There are also
special days that, while not official holidays, are still
widely observed. Groundhog Day (2 February) is a rural
tradition that claims if a groundhog emerges from its burrow
on that day and sees its shadow, it will go back inside and
there will be six more weeks of winter. On Saint Valentine’s
Day (14 February), sweethearts and friends give each other
greetings cards, flowers, and chocolates to show their
affection. Saint Patrick’s Day (17 March), the feast day of
the Irish patron saint, is celebrated by Irish Americans with
parades, parties, and the wearing of the colour green.
Mothers’ Day (the second Sunday in May) and Fathers’ Day (the
third Sunday in June) are days for children to give greetings
cards and gifts to their parents, and to perhaps prepare them
a special meal, or help around the house. Flag Day (14 June)
celebrates the adoption of the US flag in 1777. Halloween (31
October) has its roots in ancient British autumn festivals for
warding off evil spirits and celebrating the harvest; in the
US it is a night for children to dress up, often as ghosts or
witches, and go from door to door asking for
sweets.
Many Jewish people in
the US observe the High Holy Days, which begin in September or October
(according to the lunar calendar) with Rosh Hashanah
(New Year) and end with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), a day
of confession, repentance, and prayers for the forgiveness of
sins committed during the year. Hanukkah, also known as the
Festival of Lights, is celebrated in December by many Jews.
Gifts are exchanged and a special ceremony is conducted around
a candelabrum, called a menorah, with nine candles. The number
of candles lit each day corresponds to the particular day of
the eight day festival—for example, five candles are lit on
the fifth day. The ninth candle is used to light the others.
While the candles burn, songs are sung and games are
played.
The main
holiday months are from June to early September, when the
schools take their summer break. Many US workers get only two
weeks of paid holiday a year, much less than most
Europeans.
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