America, primarily located in North America, is a diversely populated country with

many ethnic groups. However, they all share a culture that defines them all as a people. With

their values, customs and celebrations, they have set themselves apart from the world and

distinguished themselves as a unique country. Culture is a vital element that captures the

capacity of humans to device means to interact, live harmoniously, and negotiate with each

other in their surrounding environment (Ferrante Pg., 47). Traditions from the groups still

migrating into America, especially from Latin America, have added to the cultural mix as

they retain their distinctive cultural practices. However, American culture is characterized by

work ethics, individualism, competitiveness, unity, equality, democracy, private property, the

rule of law, limited government preference, and liberty, which sets America apart from other

nations.

Culture is passed on. This means that it is susceptible to change and alterations.

Culture, nonmaterial and material culture. The USA is an industrially giant country with

innovative technology that defines them as a developed country. Material culture is

important. It reflects what is valued and how people relate to each other around their objects

(Ferrante Pg., 53). The USA ranks top as the most developed country in the world. Their

innovative skills and available resources enable them to come up with creations borrowed

from other countries. America leads, others follow.

Nonmaterial culture includes all the intangible human creations that classify people.

Nonmaterial culture includes values, beliefs, customs, and symbols (Ferrante, 54-55).

Americans strongly believe in individualism. Despite their unity, they consider themselves

separate individuals with control over their own lives rather than members of a close-knit
group. This sets the country apart from other countries that identify themselves in a group, for

example, members of a certain religion. The USA is also deeply embedded in inequality. All

humans are created equal, and equality is a vital concept in the Declaration of Independence.

Norms like bowing in respect are considered uncomfortable in the country. This equality

belief causes America to be more informal in its relations with other people. Informality is

evident in their dressing, posture, speech (Kallen & Whitfield, 2018). This informality must

not, however, be confused for rudeness.

The country has a portfolio of traditions they celebrate throughout the year in the

country. Customs is an essential aspect of culture. Customs represent the shared beliefs of a

people. Special occasions where they celebrate important days or events in their country.

America has quite a lot, for example, president's day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving Day

(Kallen & Whitfield, 2018). These days are national holidays where stores are decorated, and

people come together to celebrate.

America is a richly diverse country with numerous ethnic groups. Most of America’s

population migrated into the country. With recent migrations from Asia. Most of these ethnic

groups have retained their cultures and copied other cultures, and mixed them up. However,

immigrants or not, the country has some core traditions practiced around the country despite

the diversity. For example, Christmas is celebrated throughout the country despite being a

Christian festival. Therefore, it is true that culture shapes human behavior; culture determines

how people treat each other, create, share, change, resist, pass on or even abandon culture

(Ferrante Pg., 51, 2016). Most of the people who migrate into the country assimilate into the

culture.
 Culture keeps on changing. Children are introduced to cultures by their parents, and

with the country developing more technologically by the day, material culture keeps on

changing into more efficient and innovative. America is a country rich in culture, tradition,

and values with strong beliefs and customs.

 References.

Ferrante, J. (2016). Seeing Sociology An Introduction, (3rd Edition). Independence,

KY: Cengage Publishing. ISBN-13: 9781305094369

https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=kTl-

BAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT4&dq=Ferrante,+J.++(2016).+

+Seeing+Sociology+An+Introduction,+(3rd+Edition).+Independence,+KY:

+Cengage+Publishing.+ISBN-

13:+9781305094369&ots=ZTv_c5qCsK&sig=ObN6tgawAVWnleVbE_-

I2jmr2hw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=true

Kallen, H. M., & Whitfield, S. J. (2018). Culture and democracy in the United States.

Routle

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781351312929/culture-

democracy-united-states-horace-kallen-stephen-whitfielddge.