MorningStar asked:


I am curious about others’ opionions on this. A friend from another culture felt that it is the man’s job to protect and provide for his family, but also controlling the family including the wife helped reinforce his masculinity. What characteristics reinforce masculinity in American culture? In other words what do Americans feel makes a man a man?
Please give me realistic and serious answers….Thanks!
Let me rephrase that… In other words what makes a man a respected, ’strong’ man in American culture?

Eaton

Lauren_Brooke_Reed asked:


Pretend your godson/ goddaughter is in a 3rd worl country and you want to send them books to make the aware of
the American culture.

What would these books be and why?

It doesnt have to be “text” books, it can also be literary pleasure reading books!

Harris

meatloaf asked:


I am in a pop american culture class and i need a good book to read that has to do with american culture…. or american history, any suggestions would be helpful, but i want it to be a good and interesting book too. thanks!

Konrad

Tuesday Knight asked:


Celebrities are people too, or so we’ve been told. Whether or not it’s true, Americans love to think of them as something more than just people. We are fascinated by them. Fascinated by the choices they make, the company they keep and whether or not they succeed or fail. We watch them on the way up and watch them even more closely on the way down. We scrutinize them in every way, mindful of the mistakes they make even more than we are of the successes they create.

So why are we are so fascinated by celebrity culture? Certainly part of it is the media, which reports on their actions as though the world’s fate depended on it. But on the other end of the stick, isn’t it us who decides that People magazine sells more copies than Time or that Inside Edition gets better ratings than the local news?

Yes, we are indeed the ones responsible, and no one seems willing to apologize for it. Why should we? Celebrities, because of their status, have the ability to do, see and experience things we simply can’t. How many posh beachfront homes in Malibu do you own? Same here. How many starlets or Hollywood hunks have you taken out for a night on the town? Ditto on this end.

But there’s more to it than just the money, the cars, the mansions and the parties. Part of it is that we do want to believe they are just like we are. We’re looking for kinks in the publicist armor. When we find it, we generally sympathize. Take Jennifer Aniston’s split with Brad Pitt, for example. How many of you sympathized with TV’s “Rachel” and bought into the theory that Angelina Jolie was a home wrecker? Now how many of you who answered affirmatively would care as much if it happened to your next door neighbor?

The reason for that is simple. We watch them. We grow up with them. We invite them into our homes every night and more often than not, they never fail to entertain. It’s natural for us to care about these people we’ve never met, because in a way, we have met, and through their acting, songwriting or performing, we feel we know them well.



Rupert

Bob Bastian asked:


Fly fishing is an ancient style of fishing that has become an important part of popular culture. Images of it gear often evoke powerful emotions in the viewer.

It was practiced at least as early as the 2nd century by Macedonian anglers; however, some argue that fly fishing may have originated even earlier with the Chinese.

Little is known of the development of it from the 2nd century through the end of the 15th century. The English publication of a book in 1496 detailing dozens of artificial fly designs suggests that the sport was kept active during this period though. It continued to grow in popularity for some time in England, Scotland, Scandinavia and the United States. However, the sport eventually came to be viewed as an elitist sport, in part due to the high cost of fly fishing gear. Early fly rods were crafted from a tropical wood and later from bamboo. Both types of rods were expensive. By the 1920s interest in fly fishing in the United States had peaked.

Following World War II, fly fishing interest increased in the United States again. The introduction of fiberglass fishing rods, mono filament leaders, and synthetic line all served to lower the cost of fishing gear. Fly fishing interest in the United States was once again on the rise. Many of our fathers and grandfathers were fly fishermen of this era, and the overall respect that is given that generation in American culture may be reason enough to explain the enduring strength of it in popular culture.

Over the years Western it has emerged with its own cultural image. This may be due to several factors, including the American romanticizing of Western culture in general along with some brilliant marketing by early Western fly fishing entrepreneurs. The Western American cultural image of fly fishing is inextricably linked with horses, wide-brimmed hats, and leather apparatus. Western-clad fly fishers wading a rocky river while horses graze nearby on the aspen-lined shore is a powerful picture that transports most of us to a place we want to be. Whether the image is completely rooted in reality is not important.

Consider how many images designed to communicate masculinity feature fishing gear. Artists and graphic designers know that images are a powerful way to communicate masculinity – whether attempting to speak to men or to speak about men.

Even those who have not held a fly rod in years are powerfully impacted by the image of a fly rod or a fly fishing scene. The picture instantly transports people back in time. Fly fishing is so deeply embedded in the American culture that a single picture can take us back to childhood or transport us to a far away place. In this place the world seems right again; everything is once again as it should be.

It’s an important part of popular American culture. Images of fly fishing abound in movies, magazines, books and homes. Even an image of it apparatus communicates powerfully to many Americans. It’s an important part of American popular culture and history.



Medwin

JUST_ANOTHER_TWIGGY asked:


i wrote a paper on the african american traditions and culture.. the topics i was suppose to discuss include religious pracitces, cuisine, marriage and burial ceremonies, dances and songs , holistic medicine…
why or why not were those transmitted to other to our culture today

Charles

Andrea S asked:


I am teaching a 12th grade British Literature class and I want to start the entire class by exploring some of Britian influences on American culture. I am looking for answers that fall under topics like: fashion, music, art, politics, medicine, media, education, family, social values, etc… Anything along these lines would be helpful. I want to prove/show the students WHY it is important to study British Literature. Thanks!

Edmond

Jesse B asked:


It seems as though the 60’s have overstretched what are acceptable social practices. Is it really ok to shout obscenities at military. Is it ok to promote Hollywood sluts puking on Sunset Blvd? Is it ok to walk around nude. In the 1790’s these kinds of people would be reviled and thrown out of the country. If we did that today someone in media or some interest group would scream more freedom of speech. Why is it almost illegal to say Christian things on air? Yet it is ok to trash Christianity all day? Why are racists like Black Panthers promoted? Can the government just tell all the hippies, junkies, sluts, and rascists (white, black, hispanic, arab, chinese, etc.) to take a damn hike or be put in jail because they violate American culture that was before the 60’s from the beginning of our nation.

Conroy

dov20051 asked:


I can not find a nuetral and authoritative and comprehensive reference material for Native-Americans in the US. I want to know about what NA culture is like now, honestly, and without any axes to grind. Like local government, relations with the Federal government, population, religion, hierarchy, etc. Those with grudges need not respond. I am just interested in unbiased knowledge.

Sean

Brooke Hayles asked:


Of all the ways to travel, a motor home may be one of the most enjoyable. Think of it, you get to enjoy the scenery as you travel. You don’t have to stop to use the restroom. And you don’t have to pay extra for a hotel.

With different sizes, shapes and amenities, you will not have a hard time finding a motor home to meet your needs, wants and, maybe most importantly, your budget.

The Various Types Of Motor Homes

When you first start shopping for RVs, you will notice there are two main types. There are motorized versions and tow versions.

The motorized are the ones that are ‘free standing’. That is to say they run under their own power. These come in Class A, B and C. Class A is the largest, but easiest to drive. They are made for comfort. The passenger seats are also used as living room furniture. These have all the comforts of home. Class C is the smallest and cheapest and Class B lands somewhere in the middle.

The tow type of motor home is going to be less expensive than even the C class. It does, however, require a vehicle to tow it. Again, these come in a variety of sizes to suit your budget and needs. It all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.

Accessories are very important when deciding on a motor home. You will need to decide if you want air conditioning, if you want to use the standard type of heating from the engine or have separate heater for the ‘living space’. You can upgrade the insulation. Get built in appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators and even dishwashers. You can have an entertainment center built in if you want!

Maintenance of Your Motor Home

Just like everything else in life, your motor home is going to need repairs and maintenance. Keeping the owner’s manual handy will be helpful to trouble shoot problems, as well as what you can do to fix them or if the vehicle should go to a mechanic.

A few common problems with RVs are blocked roof sewer vents, drained batteries and dry rot. Even fires should be addressed in the manual, because there are usually cooking areas in the RVs.

Usually, common problems with motor homes are not too difficult to fix, just refer to the manual. If you have lost it, you can probably find one online or from the manufacturer.

Motor Homes in America

With over three million Americans living in motor homes today, they have definitely become part of the culture in this country. One thing is for sure, RVs are cheaper than an apartment, but be aware some can be as expensive as a house!

Most of the time, they are used to go on vacation. As a matter of fact, they are becoming the preferred mode of transportation when camping or taking a trip so you don’t have to stop or spend money on a hotel.

Summary:

With so many options for your motor home, you can find anything from a pop up camper to a larger one with all the comforts of home. RVs are usually easy to maintain, as long as you keep the manual handy.



Fenton