A quick look at the daily headlines or the recent news reveals that modern American culture has mostly discarded many of the values that colonial America, especially Puritans, emphasized. Starring on the headlines of newspapers, magazines, and websites are scandalous incidents, materialistic ads for new gadgets and widgets, murders and robberies, and political arguments that go back and forth for months and months. What is generally accepted as 'OK' is also moving further and further from Puritan values; this is evidenced by the hook-up culture of college students, a general increase in promiscuity, and is backed up by the overbearing stereotype that Americans are fat and lazy. However, this cursory glance actually misses several aspects of American culture that are harder to measure.
Despite this modernization of culture, caused by industrialization and an increase in materialism, the Puritan value system actually remains in the minds of Americans. The most prominent of Puritan values outside of being deeply religious were salvation, anti-promiscuous-sex, and hard work. The first value is seen in the large population of Americans who identify themselves with a religious group. The specific religion itself does not matter so much, more so the fact that they believe in salvation is important. The second value may be a bit harder to see through all the media jazz and influence. Despite this, studies have shown that a statistically significant portion of the American public, chosen at random, is still against overly revealing clothing, being sexually promiscuous, and still hold conservative beliefs on the issue. These values are shown on not only native born Americans, but also those who have lived in this country for an extended period of time, and have had the culture and beliefs of those around them rub off onto them. The first value, hard work and especially good work, can be seen in the American dream and how it has developed throughout history. The dream itself may have faded through the decades, but the goal behind it and the reason for it are still strong. This belief in working hard for a good life traces itself back to Puritans and their beliefs.
So despite what headlines might say, traditional values are still deeply ingrained into American society and have shown and will continue to show themselves in history.
I liked how you gave examples of where Puritan traditions could be found in modern America! They're getting harder and harder to find as we move forward. It'll be interesting to see what the world's like 50 years from now. I wonder if we'll still be able to find colonial values in contemporary culture.
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