• Friday , 16 June 2017

    American Stereotypes

    First of all we are assuming here americans as people who were born in United States of America, and not all American people (north america, central america and south america).

    Stereotypes of Americans are ethnic generalizations and oversimplified images or ideas about American people, and are found in many societies worldwide. Remember americans here are defined as citizens of the United States. Stereotypes of Americans have been collectively internalized by societies, and are manifested by a society’s media, literature, creative expressions, and general public opinion. Some of the following stereotypes are more popular than the others, and some are not directed exclusively toward Americans. Most of the stereotypes are negative, but some are positive.Negative stereotypes of other cultures and social groups are common in virtually all societies.

    American Stereotypes

    American Stereotypes

    Negative stereotypes

    • Materialism, overconsumption, and extreme capitalism

    Perhaps the most popular stereotype of Americans is that of economic materialism. They may be seen as caring about nothing but money, judging everything by its economic value, and scorning those of lower socioeconomic status.

    • Uneducatedness, ignorance, and gullibility

    Americans may be stereotyped as ignorant of all countries and cultures beyond their own. This stereotype shows them as lacking intellectual curiosity, thus making them ignorant of other cultures, places, or anything outside of their own lives or the United States.

    • Obesity

    Among the most popular stereotypes is that Americans eat an excess amount of fast food, and are obese. With 33.8% of the population obese, of all the countries of the developed world, the United States has the highest rate of obesity. This is well reflected by the popular “fat American” stereotype.

    Meanwhile in the United States of America

    Meanwhile in the United States of America

    • Racism and racialism

    American people in general may be portrayed as racist or racialist, often discriminating against their minorities. Racism was a significant issue of American history and is still relevant today. Racialized society, racial classification, and the concept of race is a part of the American culture, where it is frequently used in political contexts. Historical racism continues to be reflected in socioeconomic inequality, and has taken on more modern, indirect forms of expression, most prevalently symbolic racism. Many people in the U.S. maintain some prejudices against other “races”.

    • Gun-loving, violent culture

    Americans have a long historical fondness of guns and this is often portrayed by American media. A considerable percentage of Americans own firearms. The United States has one of the highest death rates caused by firearms in the developed world. The international media often reports American mass shootings, making these incidents well known internationally.

    Mainland USA According to Common Sense

    Mainland USA According to Common Sense

    • Environmental unconsciousness

    Americans may be seen as reckless and imprudent people when it comes to the environment. They may be portrayed as lavish, driving high polluting SUVs and unconcerned about climate change or global warming. The United States has the second-highest carbon dioxide emission after China, and is one of the few countries which did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

    • Arrogance and boastfulness

    Many people see Americans as arrogant people.Americans may be seen by people of other countries as arrogant and egomaniacal.American president Barack Obama said that America has shown arrogance, been dismissive and even derisive.American boys may be stereotyped as vain and promiscuous.

    • Unwarranted military intervention

    Another stereotype is that Americans “want to be the world’s policemen”, believing that the entire world needs their help, even if it means military intervention and civilian casualties. This stereotype was most likely spawned from historical United States military interventions, which many people opposed.

    • Supernatural and paranormal

    Americans may be portrayed as believing in the paranormal or supernatural phenomena, e.g. psychic powers, ghosts, haunted houses, UFOs, and exorcism.

    American Stereotypes

    American Stereotypes

    Positive stereotypes

    • Generosity

    A positive stereotype of Americans is that they are very generous. The United States sends aid and supplies to many countries, and Americans may be seen as people who are charitable or volunteer.

    • Optimism

    Americans are seen as very positive and optimistic people.

    • Hardworking

    Americans are stereotyped as hardworking people, whether in their jobs or other matters.

    • Volunteerism

    De Tocqueville first noted, in 1835, the American attitude towards helping others in need. A 2010 Charities Aid Foundation study found that Americans were the fifth most willing to donate time and money in the world at 55%.

    Stereotypes exist for a reason

    Stereotypes exist for a reason

    American Stereotypes

    A typical american stereotyped

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    24 Comments

    1. 55 Nations – Stereotypes that will Ruin or Make your Day | National Stereotype
      May 12, 2013 at 10:26 pm Reply

      […] American – arrogant; assertive; open-minded; materialistic; ambitious; progressive; efficient; straight-forward; alert; practical; US-centered world view; egoistic; anxious; fast food eaters; war mongers; God is with us! […]

    2. Zach Steffy
      June 17, 2013 at 7:58 pm Reply

      I love this website…,

    3. Pelagia Joseph
      October 24, 2013 at 3:38 am Reply

      I really loved this website

      • Sophie Calzone
        August 19, 2015 at 9:37 pm Reply

        what do u mean loved?

    4. Lee
      November 8, 2013 at 8:34 pm Reply

      I find NO inaccuracies whatsoever…

    5. Marcus Pessoa
      January 7, 2014 at 1:44 pm Reply

      Thank You, Man.

    6. Dear reader, | Kidulteacher
      March 12, 2014 at 3:13 am Reply

      […] you still not sure that I need your help in writing about the US? Check the article  ”American Stereotypes“. Do you want people to think that all of them are […]

    7. denny
      May 11, 2014 at 2:23 am Reply

      FROM EUROPE

      THIS ARTICLE ONLY PROVE THAT AMERICANS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ANTHROPOLOGY SINCE ANYBODY KNOW THAT AMERICANS AREN’T A RACE BUT AN ETHNICITY BUT EVEN FRENCH, ITALIANS, GERMANS, AND ALL OF THE REST OF EUROPEANS AREN’T A RACE LIKE THE AMERICANS

      CHECK THIS NORTH ITALIANS ON YOUTUBE, FEDERICA FONTANA, MADDALENA CORVAGLIA, PAOLA BARALE, ALESSIA MARCUZZI, LAURA CHIATTI, MARA VENIER, ANTONELLA CLERICI, LAURA FREDDI

      IN FACT, ITALIANS AREN’T A RACE BUT A NATIONALITY, FRENCH AREN’T A RACE, GERMANS AREN’T A RACE AND ALL OF THE REST OF EUROPEANS AREN’T A RACE

      CHECK ON YAHOO “RACIAL REALITY WHITE AMERICANS GEOCITIES

      ITALIANS ARE THE FOURTH LARGEST EUROPEAN ANCESTRY IN USA, ALL THIS PEOPLE BELOW HAVE AN ITALIAN ANCESTRY BY MOM, DAD OR BOTH PARENTS

      NICOLAS CAGE, LEONARDO DI CAPRIO, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, BRADLEY COOPER, LINDSAY LOHAN, ROBERT DE NIRO, JOHN TRAVOLTA, AL PACINO, MADONNA, LADY GAGA, HAYDEN PANETTIERE, PARIS HILTON, KAYLE CUOCO, JOE PESCI, JON BON JOVI, SUSAN SARANDON, MARTIN SCORSESE, FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, QUENTIN TARANTINO

      • chris
        May 25, 2014 at 3:26 am Reply

        From America,

        100% of Americans dont care.

        • Christopher Horn
          February 1, 2015 at 2:20 am Reply

          And that makes it all the more interesting, don’t you think?

      • Chris J
        May 31, 2014 at 6:49 am Reply

        Denny, calm down. Why are you shouting? Apparently you do not know all the definitions of the word race: noun

        1. a group of persons related by common descent or heredity.
        2. a population so related.
        3. Anthropology .
        a. (no longer in technical use) any of the traditional divisions of humankind, the commonest being the Caucasian, Mongoloid, and Negro, characterized by supposedly distinctive and universal physical characteristics.
        b. an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, especially formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups.
        c. a human population partially isolated reproductively from other populations, whose members share a greater degree of physical and genetic similarity with one another than with other humans.
        4. a group of tribes or peoples forming an ethnic stock: the Slavic race.
        5. any people united by common history, language, cultural traits, etc.: the Dutch race.

        “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

    8. Garrett
      August 24, 2014 at 8:30 am Reply

      From America also.

      As an American, I am so offended you have no idea! Kids don’t get guns until they’re at least twelve years old, and they’re only 140 lb by then. It’s not like we eat nothing but fast food. For the record, we only eat fast food three times a day. If people would just accept that we’re the best country in the world, we wouldn’t have to remind people.

      Seriously though, I think those stereo types are right on the money… HA, Money!

    9. Stefanie Marie
      October 8, 2014 at 3:45 pm Reply

      lets stop stereotypes and labels. WE ARE ALL AMERICANS! https://www.facebook.com/nomorelabelsweareamericans

    10. Adrienne in Aussieland: Perceptions of the U.S. from Abroad - Now
      November 24, 2014 at 5:13 am Reply

      […] No matter where you study abroad, people are going to want to know about the beliefs, experiences, and perceptions of your own country. While most of the time it’s the hot button issues that come up, those clue you in on what people think of the U.S. internationally. […]

    11. Bob Redmund Bro
      November 29, 2014 at 7:12 pm Reply

      I'm American and I've never even stepped foot in a Wall-Mart

    12. TJ
      December 19, 2014 at 2:22 am Reply

      As an American, I can honestly say I don’t give a crap. Reason being, I know their not true.

    13. AG
      December 26, 2014 at 7:54 pm Reply

      As an american, I’ve always found it facinating to know how people from other countries, or other cultures really perceive us. Whether I agree, disagree, or choose to become defensive, offended, or take it as a compliment, is really not the point. It’s Sociology 101. Regardless of how we choose to feel or act regarding perceptions from others; whether there perceptions are correct, wrong, true/false.. whatever… They are perceptions. It’s what makes human beings.. well “human”.

    14. Marianna Sideri
      February 15, 2015 at 7:12 am Reply

      l love americans!!!! They are indeed such a positive culture, we Europeans need some of this "bright side" in our fatalism

    15. Lazy Sloth
      February 24, 2015 at 12:17 am Reply

      The mexican stereotypes made me laugh more

    16. Heather Ann Czerniak
      September 6, 2015 at 11:11 pm Reply

      Brits think American girls say "Omigod!" too much. Bunk! The only time I've ever heard an Americans girl say "Omigod!" was in a Frank Zappa song.

    17. Crystal Parsons
      February 17, 2016 at 2:57 pm Reply

      I think the media and movies do the most damage. That is where most if not all of thsee assumptions come from for every country.

    18. Nands
      April 23, 2016 at 10:45 pm Reply

      I think you guys are don’t know what is the meaning of “stereotype” as a sociology terminology. please re-open your book or whatever you have, and make your comment as clear as possible

    19. American Culture Stereotypes – Allinthewhole.com
      September 1, 2016 at 7:26 am Reply

      […] American Stereotypes – National … – First of all we are assuming here americans as people who were born in United States of America, and not all American people (north america, central america and south … […]

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      September 1, 2016 at 4:45 pm Reply

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