Culture involves the customs, habits, and arts that characterize a specific community or nation. American culture consists of the traditions and customs of the U.S. This American culture encompasses food, dressing, language, music, religion, and greetings, among other practices. Similarly, it includes both religious and scientific competitiveness, liberal and conservative elements, political structures, materialistic elements, free expression, risk-taking, and moral elements (Storey 100). The American culture contains various expressions because of its geographical diversity and geographical location. Anciently, America was taken to be a melting pot, with the contribution of immigrants, though it ultimately conformed to typical American culture. However, starting from the 1960s to the present day, the country has inclined toward pluralism, the sad bowl image, and diversity instead (Lynd 123). This paper aims to explain the American culture in sports and holidays.
Sports
Whether representing your hometown or tossing a Frisbee at the campus courtyard in a local game, sports remain predominant in the American community. Athletics start at an early age, with children joining recreation and parks programs in their hometowns or just playing football in the backyards. They later continue further at competitive levels in primary school up to the university, with supplementary programs playing an improvement role and teaching the students to maybe become professionals. Sports remain a recreational and leisure action even afterward as comrades catch up in tennis and golf clubs (Tomlinson and Young 45). The huge sports number is not restricted to ice hockey, baseball, American football, soccer, and basketball but rather comprises a variety of athletic activities. On the professional stage or level, spectator sports are taking the principle of American culture and tradition. Families and even pals gather around their televisions or bear hours in traffic to support their desired team, whereas the athletes are shaped to become international celebrities. The process of developing athletic skills as one grows and engages in athletics has encouraged talented professional growth, lifting athletics entertainment to an international scale (Tomlinson and Young 55).
As the children in America learn to “talk and walk,” they also learn to “throw, kick and run.” Numerous kids get exposure to sports at an early age so they can install the custom of remaining fit and active while enjoying themselves (Tomlinson and Young 55). Most towns provide reaction and parks programs that sponsor different learning physical activities like “monthly hikes and sports summer camps.” Additionally, the town regularly creates various youth leagues, which allow kids to compete with others. These programs are run by volunteers who emphasize enjoyment, skill development, and sportsmanship.
Sports likewise play a key role in the U.S. education system, whether using compulsory physical education or a supplementary club sport. The middle class, which provides competitive sports, prepares athletes and develops skills that assist them in obtaining future opportunities. In addition to the classic American soccer, football, baseball, tennis, and baseball, schools usually provide competitive curriculums in field hockey, ice hockey, volleyball, squash, field and track, skiing, running, lacrosse, golf, softball, and wrestling (Tomlinson and Young 70).
After high school, talented players still play in “division I, II, and III schools” at the university. In the process of recruiting, colleges refer scouts to abroad and across the country to identify the talents they can add to the sports teams. Division, I regularly provide scholarships that entice the scouts to join their institutions. Attacking great, talented young people at their university gives them a sense of prestige (Tomlinson and Young 70).
The “Big Four League’ dominated the professional sports in America: American baseball at Major League Baseball, football in the National Football League, ice hockey in the National Hockey League, and basketball in the National Basketball Association (Tomlinson and Young 70). The teams in this League game represent a region; they draw large crowds and have many following fans.
Holidays
First, Halloween on October 31st is a holiday that provides children with an opportunity to dress as pretty as they can (Storey 66). They ran throughout the neighborhood shouting “treat or trick” as well as filling many pillowcases with Skittles and fun-sized Snickers, among other sweet delights. However, even adults play these games.
Second, Thanksgiving or Turkey Day on November 26th is a holiday that commemorates the feast communal in both the early Pilgrims and indigenous Americans in the New World. This day unites American families, whereby they cook, view games, eat, and give thanks to family, food, and good fortune together (Lynd 90). During this holiday, many go back to their homelands, and workers are given four days’ leave. In addition, black Friday, November 27th, is a holiday that emerged recently; however, it gets great media attention. After the Thanksgiving holiday, retailers and shops offer great offers on different commodities. The shoppers of black Friday regularly struggle with long lines in stores.
Third, Hanukkah, starting at sunset on December 6th to sunset 14th, is an eight-day light festival that commemorates the holy temple’s rededication after its reclaiming from the Greeks. The U.S. Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah through the light of a menorah (Lynd 89). Every day at sunset, a different candle is lit till they finish celebrating. Families likewise share food and exchange gifts. People give out the gelt and play dreidel, especially children.
Fourth, 25 Christmas is on December 25th, and most families use it as a time to give thanks and share meals. Most people travel, and other people make their homes since it is the only period they commune with their other family members (Lynd 100).
Finally, on New Year’s Eve on December 31st, most people make their New Year resolutions. At the same time, others take the opportunity to celebrate the New Year. The traditional methods of celebrating include banging pans and pots, clinking champagne glasses, watching a televised period squire celebration, and fireworks (Lynd 100).
In sum, American sports and holidays portray American culture. Sports show how the culture is practiced from a tender age. Similarly, on different holidays, various practices and traditions are practiced (Storey 123). However, America has a diverse culture because it comprises immigrants from various regions.
Work Cited
Lynd, Robert Staughton. Knowledge for What: The Place of Social Science in American Culture. Princeton University Press, 2015.
Storey, John. Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction. Routledge, 2018.
Tomlinson, Alan, and Christopher Young. National Identity and Global Sports Events: Culture, Politics, and Spectacle in the Olympics and the Football World Cup. SUNY Press, 2006.
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