Family and Cultural Traditions

This was the first topic we had in video conference. In the U.S.A, family is the true core of society, but this fact is slowly fading away, more and more couples divorce (as in Europe) so the family core is more and more split. Weekdays are more for friends and the weekends are more for family, they also go to see elder family members.
The American dream of the self-made man is declining nowadays, young Americans are more and more preoccupied by diplomas, It is quite interesting to see that the model of "rags to riches" has changed. Though they still believe in it but the necessity to have diplomas to become someone is really important.

One of the main cultural traditions in the United States of America is patriotism. Even though, this feeling can change from one state to another for example in Texas, there is a strong patriotic feeling but in California it is more "relax" towards patriotic demonstrations. Patriotism also depends on the events in History, for example after the attack of Pearl Harbor or the attack of 9/11 there was a true national patriotic feeling in all the United States. The students in ECU were most of all supporting the President Obama, they agree with his policy, his values and his vision for America.
 
The traditions in American families  truly depends on the education they received. Things that are normal for young people (tattoos, piercings, raw talking) are considered as sins for older generations. In more religious families, praying before eating is very important.