Thursday, March 4, 2010

American Values

After have looking at Robin Williams US Values List, one of them stuck out to me more than the others. "Individualism emphasizing personal rights and responsibilities." This definitely applies to my life, especially nearing the end of my high school career. Heading off to college allows for us to have this sense of freedom, after all there are no parents around to be nagging you to get to school, or to clean your room. My personal rights grow as I get older- including one that I recently have gained, the right to vote. The responsibility part comes in mainly because I will have to remember a lot more on my own since college will not include my mom always being right there. I respect that Williams has added this to his values list, because by being an individual, you discover more than you would have with others. Nothing can get in your way- which is why I am really looking forward to college. It will allow me to join a sorority, intramurals, and pick and choose the clubs I'd like to be a part of. Inidividualism lasts throughout your whole life. That's why it is great to learn how to be responsible on your own now, so you know how to live a healthy life in the near future.
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3 comments:

  1. lschellMarch 4, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    I agree with your identification with individualism. I find that this is a part of culture that I deeply identify with as well. I truely try to be my own person and, going along with that, I try and be myself 100% of the time. I don't really identify with groups when defining myself, but rather with my morals and beliefs.

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  2. JessieLMarch 4, 2010 at 4:00 PM

    I agree with how you said that we need to start straying away from our parents and begin to become more individual. That will be really important when everyone goes off to college soon.

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  3. SalMarch 10, 2010 at 6:51 AM

    YEs - I understand what you are saying, but notice the paradox; as an individual you are free to join all of those groups you mentioned (which is the opposite of being an individual). The danger is that for many Americans they refuse to acknowledge these groups - and they refuse to acknowledge the importance in all of these group memberships. We need other people. We can't survive individually - more on this in the next unit.

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