Is “American Individualism” a new phenomena?

Question

It seems most folk think that we all have been mavericks from day one, but is that really so? In the old west communities were tight and depended on each other greatly for their survival. There are only a few examples of these bright individuals (like Jim Bowie, or Davy Crocket), but aren’t these the exceptions? Have we built a myth around an exception? Weren’t most looking to each other for support; weren’t family units large and strong helping each other out best as they could, and weren’t neighbors truly neighborly?

When the wagon trains rolled across the continent wouldn’t they all camp out in circles for better defense, or would they all just go and find there own camp spot away from each other?

Seems today people move around so much, and burn so many bridges, that our family relationships have become weak and strained. Not many of us keep life long friends anymore.

Have movies and popular media (like western films) given us a false sense of Individualism?

Seems up until WW2 people in there communities we part of their communities.

Doesn’t it take more than just putting a check in an envelope mailed off to some charity, or going to church?

Were we once team players? Are we now alone?

Are we better off this way?

Answer 1

You can blame technology and necessity. Why our ancestors were neighborly might have been more out of necessity than kindness. Technology today allows for a separation and a feeling of isolation. However, that same technology has allowed me to find my so-called "life long" friends, that in the past I would have had to write letters to, wait forever and a day for their response etc etc.

I don't feel un-friendly, but there is definitely a trepidation with approaching new neighbors - because we are such a litigious society right now.

Answer 2

I agree with your points, no longer are we a community, I speak truthfully because I recognize the fact that I, myself only socialize with one neighbor in our neighborhood. I don't even know some of the others and have been ther for 11 years! I fall in the guilty category but grew up just the opposite, clearly steps must be taken to change this behavior on an individual basis to include myself.

Answer 3

A lot of what you are decribing is the breakdown of faimily values and sense of community.. People can be individuals and retain community values.. In your "wild West " scenerio, you forget to mention that these close knit communities had something in common... Church... These communities practiced and preached "helping one another" they strived to please and include God in their daily activities, they ate together during meals and remembered to kiss the kids goodnight at bedtime.. Most Americans have gotten away from God and the teachings of the Bible others which claim to be "christians" have no idea what that means and think if they go to church then they're one step ahead of the rest..
Taking Individualism away from us as a Nation moves us closer to socialism.. Barack Obama's speech to the 2004 Democratic convention, "alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga, a belief that we are all connected as one people... it is that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper, I am my sisters' keeper -- that makes this country work."
Does nothing but promote a loss of any individualism and strive to succeed.. We do not have to give up who we are or how much or little we are willing to succeed to be good people.. Get with your neighborhood and plan a monthly cook out , meet the people around you and instead of being envious or condecending of them , embrace them and enjoy the difference they bring to the table.. I think you will find that life can be pretty dang good people make it that much better even without giving up your individualism..

Answer 4

the affection/hate and fascination of a superstar is shown in how the media builds up someone purely to tear them down. through recognition Michael develop into can't in any respect be doubtful as song marketplace and the pop video lifestyle would not in any respect were an similar without him. although in the journey that they keep a cloud of guilt round him they could continually make laughs and salary from someone who has surpassed on. Michael has reached the prestige of Elvis Presley now. even although neither will be right here might want to someone ever make the effort to sparkling their call now. Which they ought to have performed at the same time as they were alive. They make Whitney and patrick out to be victims of their excesses yet tear down yet another because they favor villains to boot.

Answer 5

Individualism was a phenomenon that's existed in America since before the revolution. Yes, it's become mythologized, but it's certainly not a new thing - in fact, it's become both less real, and a less respected 'myth' over the last 50 years or so.

Answer 6

I think that we were much more independent up until the 60's.

We used to rely on our local community more and help each other out more in that community, but many also lived completely on there own with no government help in any way. When people lost there jobs or had bad things happen (like hurricanes, floods, etc.) they did not expect the federal government to come in and save them. They also did not want the government running there lives with programs like social security. It was up to the individual to succeed and feed his/her family and do whatever it took.

Today we are much more at the governments will from how we raise our children to how much we can save for retirement to general laws. There are many more laws today than ever in history that we have to try and follow. When we loose our jobs we expect the government to help us out (no matter why we lost that job). We expect them to help feed our kids, help us retire, save us from hurricanes (since obviously we really are too stupid to leave in the first place).

Its true that families are not as close, but we only switched out families for government! I would rather have the family!