This article serves as an overview of the customs and ways of life in the United States. For the popular and high culture of the United States, see Culture of the United States.
A World Values Survey cultural world map, describing the United States as low in "Secular-Rational Values" and high in "Self-Expression Values"
The society of the United States is based on Western culture, and has been developing since long before the United States became a country with its own unique social and cultural characteristics such as dialect, music, arts, social habits, cuisine, and folklore. Today, the United States is a racially and ethnically diverse country as a result of large-scale immigration from many countries throughout its history.[1]
Its chief early influences came from English and Irish settlers of colonial America. British culture, due to colonial ties with Britain that spread the English language, legal system, and other cultural inheritances, had a formative influence. Other important influences came from other parts of Europe.
The United States has often been thought of as a melting pot, but recent developments tend towards cultural diversity, pluralism, and the image of a salad bowl rather than a melting pot.[2][3] Due to the extent of American culture there are many integrated but unique social subcultures within the United States. The cultural affiliations an individual in the United States may have commonly depend on social class, political orientation, and a multitude of demographic characteristics such as religious background, occupation, and ethnic group membership.[4] The strongest influences on American culture came from northern European cultures, most prominently from Britain, Ireland, and Germany.
^Thompson, William; Joseph Hickey (2005). Society in Focus. Boston, MA: Pearson. ISBN 0-205-41365-X.
^Clack, George; et al. (September 1997). "Chapter 1". One from Many, Portrait of the USA. United States Information Agency. Archived from the original on 2006-11-22.
^Adams, J.Q.; Pearlie Strother-Adams (2001). Dealing with Diversity. Chicago, Illinois: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7872-8145-X.
^Thompson, William; Joseph Hickey (2005). Society in Focus. Boston, MA: Pearson. ISBN 0-205-41365-X.
and 26 Related for: Society of the United States information
The Humane SocietyoftheUnitedStates (HSUS) is an American nonprofit organization that focuses on animal welfare and opposes animal-related cruelties...
TheUnitedStatesof America (USA or U.S.A.), commonly known as theUnitedStates (US or U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America...
The president oftheUnitedStates is the head of state and head of government oftheUnitedStates, indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral...
TheUnitedStates has a racially and ethnically diverse population. At the federal level, race and ethnicity have been categorized separately. The most...
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is theUnitedStates Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines...
The Newcomen SocietyoftheUnitedStates was a non-profit educational foundation for "the study and recognition of achievement in American business and...
In theUnitedStates, education is provided in public and private schools and by individuals through homeschooling. State governments set overall educational...
The American Colonization Society (ACS), initially theSociety for the Colonization of Free People of Color of America, was an American organization founded...
The term "UnitedStates," when used in the geographical sense, refers to the contiguous UnitedStates (sometimes referred to as the Lower 48, including...
The president oftheUnitedStates (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government oftheUnitedStatesof America. The president directs the executive...
The Northeastern UnitedStates, also referred to as the Northeast, the East Coast, or the American Northeast, is a geographic region oftheUnited States...
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to theUnitedStates: UnitedStatesof America – federal republic located primarily...
TheUnitedStates is a highly developed/advanced mixed economy. It is the world's largest economy by nominal GDP; it is also the second largest by purchasing...
The Constitution oftheUnitedStates is the supreme law oftheUnitedStates. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution...
TheUnitedStates does not have an official language at the federal level, but the most commonly used language is English (specifically, American English)...
prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA). In theUnited Kingdom, and historically in theUnitedStates, such societies provide waterway rescue, prevention and...
The federal government oftheUnitedStates (U.S. federal government or U.S. government) is the national government oftheUnitedStates, a federal republic...
Global Information