THUONG MAI UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGLISH

GROUP DISCUSSION
AMERICAN CULTURE

Topic: LEISURE TIME: ORGANIZED SPORTS, RECREATION &

TELEVISION

Group : 03
Class : 2156ENTI0511
Supervisor : Le Thi Phuong Mai
 HANOI - 2021
THUONG MAI UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGLISH

GROUP DISCUSSION
AMERICAN CULTURE

Topic: LEISURE TIME: ORGANIZED SPORTS, RECREATION &

TELEVISION

Group : 03
Class : 2156ENTI0511
Supervisor : Le Thi Phuong Mai
 HANOI - 2021

No Name Task Leader’s Teacher’s

mark mark

1 Lê Thu Hằng Sports and American A

values

2 Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Hạnh Competition Carried to A

( Leader) an Extreme?

3 Nguyễn Thị Hiên Recreation: a Time for A

Self-improvement

4 Trần Thị Thanh Hoa Health and Fitness A

5 Nguyễn Thị Hội Comparison sports in A

American culture and
Vietnamese culture

6 Dương Thiên Hương Television and its A

impact
 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................1
DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................................................2
I. Sports and American values........................................................................................2
1.1. Overview Sport and American values......................................................................2
1.2. Comparison sports in American culture and Vietnamese culture.............................3
II. Competition Carried to an Extreme.............................................................................4
2.1. Overview about competition carried to an extreme in the USA...............................4
2.2. Comparison the competition in sports between America and Vietnam.................5
III. Recreation: A time for self- improvement:...............................................................6
3.1 Recreation activities in America:..........................................................................6
3.2 Comparison the recreation activities between America and Vietnam:..................7
IV. Health and Fitness....................................................................................................9
4.1. Overview in America:..............................................................................................9
4.2. Comparison health and fitness in America and Vietnam:........................................9
V. Television and its impact.............................................................................................12
5.1. Overview in America.............................................................................................12
5.2 The impact of television..........................................................................................13
5.3. Comparison of television’s impact in the US and in Vietnam................................13
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................ 17
REFERENCES................................................................................................................18
 INTRODUCTION

Like culture and art, recreation, leisure and sports activities play an important role
in communities. Their many benefits include improving the health and well-being of
individuals, contributing to the empowerment of individuals, and promoting the
development of inclusive communities. In this discussion our group will show you leisure
time: organized sports, recreation and television in the United States and how different it
is between Vietnam and the US.

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 DEVELOPMENT

I. Sports and American values

1.1. Overview Sport and American values

Sports have always been important to people around the world. Sports have
contributed to racial and social integration and over history have been a "social glue"
bonding the country together, specifically, deeply important to the American people.
Most social scientists believe that organized sports by society generally reflect the basic
values of that society and attempt to strengthen them in the minds and emotions of its
people. Sports like football and baseball have been around since the late 1800s, leading
sporting events, professional or recreational, becoming ingrained in American culture.
They enjoy tremendous popularity but more important they are vehicles for transmitting
such values as justice, fair play, and teamwork. 
Sports are more than just fun, games and entertainment for the masses. athletes,
coaches, parents, and fans are drawn to the training, focus, discipline, loyalty,
competitiveness, and individual and team performances that are hallmarks of sports
culture.
Since sports are richly ingrained in society, they have helped bring people
together. They allow people from different walks of life to share bonding experiences
through supporting teams. Social distancing, in effect, magnifies the importance of sports
in the United States. In some fields in America, there still are some inequality things like
racism, economic inequality, class inequality, and so on. But in American’s sports,
everyone is equal and has a chance to compete without bias. Organized sports are seen by
Americans as inspiring examples of equality of opportunity in action. This is an
expression of one American value-an an equality of opportunity. Because, in sports,
people of different races and economic backgrounds get an equal chance to excel. It
means that everyone has an equal chance to compete. Even though women's sports are
growing in popularity in the US and they now have more funding and support at the
college level than in the past.
Sports can play a potential role in alleviating a wide range of social problems in
communities that may otherwise be afflicted with substance abuse, crime, academic
underachievement, and a lack of a cohesive social identity. For young people, sports are
means to physical and emotional well-being and the development of strong leadership
skills like communication and organization. 
Sports provide key dynamics when it comes to the augmentation of communal
principles by enhancing the physical and mental well-being of individuals and the
integration of social classes, sports also help increase the idea of competition. The idea of
“winning” in sports serves as a prime exemplar of success: a highly valued commodity
that often results in elitism and superiority. Every player, every team when playing sport
or taking part in organized sports all wants to be the winner. Therefore, they have to
compete against the opponent to win. Many Americans believe that learning how to win
in sports helps develop the habits necessary to compete successfully in later life. The
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slogan is sometimes used to drive home the competitive virtues for the young participant:
“Hustle-you can’t survive without it”. “A quitter never wins, a winner never quits”.  
Professional sports in addition to their profit and entertainment purposes are seen
as providing an example to inspire the young to take part in organized sports. Not only in
professional sports but also amateur athletics associated with school and college, are
valued for teaching young people traditional values.
Sports are an essential and important aspect of American society; they are
indispensable when it comes to their impact on a plethora of public arenas, including
economics and the mass media. Sport coincides with community values and political
agencies, as it attempts to define the morals and ethics attributed not only to athletes but
the totality of society as a whole. Fans of spectator sports find a reaffirmation of key
societal values through sports, as they give meaning to their own lives.

1.2. Comparison sports in American culture and Vietnamese culture

Similarities: Sports serve an essential role in two countries because sports not
only ensure good health, build a fine physique and develop mindset but also teach us
values necessary for people to become better. Moreover, sports become more popular and
is associated with education as well as bear profit for organizations, coaches and athletes.
Differences:
American Vietnamese

American football is the There are several popular

most popular spectator sport to
Kinds of watch in the United States,
popular sports followed by baseball, basketball,
ice hockey and soccer, which make
up the "5 major sports".
The government attaches great
importance to sports, considering it
a national asset. They focus on
Investment of investment and sports, not only for
government adults but also for the youth
generation, especially students.
This view has shown an
appreciation as well as a correct
awareness of the importance of
sport among Americans.
sports in Vietnam, but soccer is
definitely the most popular. Other
sports that are played in Vietnam
are martial arts, badminton,
cricket, rugby, tennis, running,
and more.
Most of supportive forms come
from businesses, individuals
while government has just
encouraged the awareness of
residents without particular
policies to further develop the
importance of sports.

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 High academic achievement the Sports achievement is not
sport achievement is one of the criterion for enrolling new
Associated factors for seeking new students. students in universities.
level with Student-athletes often receive
education scholarships to colleges in
recognition of their athletic
potentials.

The higher-level athletic Vietnamese also admired the ones

competitions, whether officially or
privately organized, are avidly
Attitude of followed by Vietnamese fans,
general public whose interest toked by ample
television coverage for national and
international events.
who has talent in sports, but I
have to say this is not equal to
every kinds of sport. While there
are multitude of donors for even 1
score in football, other kinds of
sports it seems to don’t possess
the attention even though they
have to work and practice hard.

II. Competition Carried to an Extreme

2.1. Overview about competition carried to an extreme in the USA

Sports in the United States are glorified by many but there are others who are
especially critical of the power of sports to corrupt when certain things are carried to
excess. An excessive desire to win in sports, can weaken rather than strengthen
traditional American values. Vince Lombardi, a famous professional football coach of the
1960s, was often criticized for stating that winning is the "only thing" that matters in
sports. Critics believe that such statements by coaches weaken the idea that other things,
such as fair play, following the rules of the game, and behaving with dignity when one is
defeated, are also important. Unfortunately, many coaches still share the "winning is the
only thing" philosophy.

When the idea of winning in sports is carried to excess, however, honorable

competition can turn into disorder, violation of the law, and acts of violence. We can see
violence in American sports especially in football. In the South, boys start playing tackle
football in elementary school, bringing the risks of competitive pressure to nine and ten
years old. From time to time, articles appear in newspapers or magazines such as Sports
Illustrated, one of the nation’s leading sports magazines, criticizing the number of injuries
that have resulted from the extreme roughness of the game, increased by a burning desire
to defeat one's opponent. Most Americans would probably say that competition in
organized sports does more to strengthen the national character than to corrupt it. They

4
believe that eliminating competition in sports and in society as a whole would lead to
laziness and vice rather than hard work and accomplishment.

Another criticism of professional sports is that the players and the team owners get
too much money, while fans have to pay more and more for tickets to the games.
Basketball, baseball, and football stars get multi-million-dollar contracts similar to rock
singers and movie stars. Now professional sports are more about money and less about
team loyalty. Colleague football and basketball programs are also affected by big money.
Sportscasters talked about how greed was spoiling the sport that is "as American as apple
pie."

The next problem facing organized sports is the use of performance-enhancing

drugs. With the pressure to win so strong, a number of athletes have turned to these
drugs. The use of these drugs puts the health of the athletes in danger, and it’s ethically
wrong. It goes against the American values of equality of opportunity and fair
competition. This is a heartbreaking example of a victory culture at all costs: Lance
Armstrong - American cyclist, who dominates the world's most prestigious bicycle racing
Tour de France with 7 consecutive championships from 1999 - 2005. In 2012, the United
States Anti-Doping Commission (USADA) shocked the sports industry by exposing the
doping scandal of Armstrong and the US Postal Team riders.

2.2. Comparison the competition in sports between America and Vietnam

American Vietnamese

Sport in the United States is fierce. This
is the reason why players in matches
appear to conflict in a violent manner.
  
The competition in Vietnam is not as strong
as it is in the United State. Even if there is a
disagreement during a match, the players
would try to resolve it in a more peaceful
manner.

5
 Americans want to win more than
anything else in sports. Their primary
motivation for playing in matches is to
"win." They are unconcerned about the
operation, but they will pay close
attention to the outcome. Only a
champion, in the eyes of Americans, is
deserving of the honor.
For Vietnamese people, results are not as
important as the process. Even if a team does
not win, they must give it their all in that
match. Vietnamese people pay a lot of
attention to how they play (nice, fair or not,
etc.) and how they advance. Furthermore, in
sports matches, Vietnamese people set the
target of "going as far as possible," rather
than "winning."

When you lose, comments like "Don't
think about losing; anyway, you played a
good game" annoy them because they see
this as an excuse, a consolation for the
loss.
When you don't win, sayings like "don't
worry about the results, you've done your
best" can provide a lot of comfort and
motivation to Vietnamese people.

Competition is one of America's values.  Too much competition for Vietnamese

They believe that only competition can
motivate people to work harder, try
harder, and learn more.
people leads to the loss of relationships,
making people more selfish. Furthermore,
Vietnamese people prefer a peaceful and
valuable lifestyle rather than intense
competition and a focus on the outcome.

III. Recreation: A time for self- improvement:

Recreation is an activity that people engage in during their free time. Recreational
activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be
“fun”. The interest that Americans have in self-improvement, traceable in large measure
to the nation's Protestant heritage is also carried over into their recreation habits. The self
improvement motive, however, can also be seen in many other popular forms of
recreation that involve little or no physical activity. Interest and participation in cultural
activities, which improve people’s minds or skills, are also popular. This American
entertainment habit has become a cultural feature of them, at the same time also shows
American self-reliance.
3.1 Recreation activities in America:

6
 Millions of Americans go to symphony concerts, attend live theater performances,
visit museums, hear lectures, and participate in artistic activities such as painting,
performing music, and dancing. Many Americans also enjoy hobbies such as weaving,
needlework, candle making, wood carving, and other handicrafts. Community education
programs offer a wide range of classes for those interested in anything from “surfing the
net” (using the computer internet) to gourmet cooking, learning a foreign language,
writing, art, self defense, and birdwatching.
Some Americans prefer recreation that requires a high level of physical activity.
This is true of the most popular adult recreational sports: jogging or running, tennis and
skiing. It would seem that these Americans carry over their belief in hard work into their
world of play and recreation. The expression “We like to work hard and play hard” is an
example of this philosophy.
Physical fitness is a way of life for these Americans. Some of them regularly work
out at community gyms or private sports clubs- lifting weights, swimming, playing
squash or racquetball; participating in aerobic exercise classes or using exercise bikes,
treadmills, rowing machines or stair- steppers. Some choose to do long-distance running
and may participate in a marathon race.
The recreational interests of Americans also show a continuing respect for the self-
reliance and sometime the adventure and danger of frontier life. While some choose safe
pastimes such as handicrafts, gardening or DIY (Do It Yourself) projects like building
bookcases in their den, others are ready to leave home and take some risks. Many others
are choosing to go white-water rafting, mountain climbing, rock climbing, skydiving,
helicopter skiing and bungee jumping. U.S park officials complain about the number of
people who take life-threatening risks in national parks and have to be rescued. “ It is as
if they are looking for hardship,” one park official stated, “ They seem to enjoy the
danger and the physical challenge”. Not all Americans want to "rough it" while they are
on their adventure holidays, however. There are a number of travelers who want "soft
adventure." They simply enjoy being outdoors in the United States fishing, birding, or
observing other wildlife. More than 90 million Americans a year participate in these
activities.
3.2 Comparison the recreation activities between America and
Vietnam:
America Vietnam
Americans enjoy recreational activities Most Vietnamese people prefer light
that require a high level of physical games and are less risky. The proof is that
activity. the number of adventure amusement parks
in Vietnam is quite small. Most
entertainment areas are parks,
supermarkets, movie theaters or shopping
malls ... Compared to the American spirit
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 of doing their best to play hard, for
Vietnamese, recreational games are
simply simple to relax, less competitive.

Americans often take the time off their On holidays, Vietnamese will spend time
holidays to learn more skills. traveling, resting after hard working days.
On the last occasion (especially in big
cities), people often flock to the streets,
shopping centers and amusement parks for
entertainment. In particular, the
government also organizes the walking
streets on the weekends.
Americans improve yourself through other Vietnamese people rarely participate in
popular forms of entertainment with little entertainment by going to concerts,
or no physical activity. watching live performances. Instead, they
will like to gather friends to hang out, talk
or go to the movies, and drink coffee. For
many Vietnamese weaving, sewing,
carving wood, it is not their entertainment
but a daily job.

American entertainment interests also For Vietnamese people, entertainment is

demonstrate a constant respect for simply a time to relieve stress, relax or
independence. Americans have always gather with family and friends.
prided themselves on this individuality
and difference. Entertainment is a time
they spend with themselves.

Reason of difference: The difference in the living environment, how to educate

the children from a young age. The United States is a Western country, so they always
promote ego, individual personality ... so their lifestyle is inclined towards independent
and individual lifestyles. From an early age, American children are encouraged by their
parents to give their own opinions and to do everything on their own. While Vietnamese
people appreciate more emotional lifestyles, stick together, they take time to rest to
cultivate feelings. That is why parents tend to indulge and embrace their children since
childhood and help them orient their future.

IV. Health and Fitness

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 4.1. Overview in America:
The overall population is becoming more overweight, due to poor eating habits
and a sedentary lifestyle. Government studies estimate that fewer than half of Americans
exercise - in their leisure time. Experts say that it is not because Americans "don't know
what's good for them"-they just don't do it. By mid-2000, the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) sounded the alarm almost two-thirds of Americans were overweight, and more
than one in five were obese. The government began a campaign to urge people to lose
weight and get more exercise. But by 2011, the numbers were worse: More than one-third
of American adults were obese.
Newspapers and magazines are full of advice on nutrition, and diet books are best
-sellers. Indeed, part of the problem may be that there is too much information in the
media, and much of it is contradictory. For thirty years, the government encouraged
people to eat a diet high in carbohydrates and low in fat to avoid health risks such as heart
disease and certain types of cancer.
Many Americans have tried a number of diets, searching for the magic one right
for them. Some overweight people say the diet advice is so confusing that they have just
given up and eat whatever they want. Since 1994, the government has required uniform
labeling so that consumers can compare the calories, fat, and carbohydrates in the food
they buy. More than half of Americans say they pay attention to the nutritional content of
the food they eat, but they also say they eat what they really want when they feel like it.
For example, they may have switched to skim milk but still buy fancy, fat-rich ice cream.
Experts say that it is a combination of social, cultural, and psychological factors
that determine how people eat. A Newsweek article on America's weight problems
referred to "the culture of overindulgence" seemingly ingrained in American life.
Another factor is Americans' love of fast food. Although the fast-food industry is
offering salads on its menus, most Americans still prefer "junk food." They consume
huge quantities of pizza, hamburgers, French fries, and soft drinks at restaurants, not only
because they like them, but also because these foods are often the cheapest items on the
menu. Another significant factor is Americans' busy lifestyle. Since so many women are
working, families are eating a lot of fast food, frozen dinners, and restaurant takeout.
Some experts believe that Americans have really lost control of their eating; it is not
possible to limit calories when they eat so much restaurant and packaged food.
The problem of childhood obesity is truly alarming: Nearly one in three children in
the United States is overweight or obese. The numbers are even higher in the African-
American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40 percent of the children are
overweight or obese.
4.2. Comparison health and fitness in America and Vietnam:

a. Eating habits:

9
 American
A characteristic of the American eating
habits is that they often prefer foods
with the most typical and popular fatty
flavors such as butter, milk, cheese and
meats.
American’s breakfast is quite quick
and simple with butter bread, omelet,
milk… or just coffee cups or fruit
juices.
Americans always eat fast food for
lunch. For instance, Americans often
eat sandwiches, hamburgers, or pizza
from KFC, McDonald's for lunch.
Dinner is the most important meal of
the day, so they put a lot of effort into
preparing a hearty dinner.
Americans eat their dinner quite early,
so they will eat a snack before bed. For
example, children usually drink milk
or eat cakes, and adults usually eat
fruit, cakes and a little wine or spirits.
10
Vietnamese
Vietnamese people rarely use butter and
cheese in their daily meals. They prefer
cooked, boiled foods over fried, greasy
foods. They eat a wide variety of
vegetables.
For Vietnamese people, breakfast is the
important meal in day, so they take it
seriously and some choices such as:
sticky rice, bread, noodles, Pho…
Vietnamese people rarely eat fast food.
For lunch, Vietnamese people often
bring home-prepared food to enjoy.
Vietnamese dinners are much simpler
than Americans, and   Vietnamese
people tend to eat less at dinner.
After dinner, Vietnamese people will not
snack because for them, eating snack
will not be good for their health.
Americans’ typical meal will have four The basic food in Vietnam is dry, flaky
main dishes: appetizers, main courses, rice. Vietnamese people can eat rice in
desserts and drinks.  Common all meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
appetizers at American dinners are Vietnamese meals will have 2 out of 3
mixed salads, soups, slices of toast or meals a day, usually consisting of rice
cheese. The most popular main dish is with dishes of vegetables, eggs, meat,
the delicacy of beef, chicken, lamb, fish, or tofu. Fruit is served as a dessert
duck or seafood. For dessert, Americans and snack.
often eat fruit, ice cream, or pudding.
Finally, there is the drink section.
During dinner, Americans often use
wine. In addition, they can also use
other beverages such as beer, soda,
carbonated water...
Americans sauces are often thick, greasy, “Nuoc Mam” fish sauce is a principal
and rich. They are directly mixed into ingredient in almost every Vietnamese
dish such as vegetables and kebabs. dish. From fish sauce, they make a
variety of dipping sauces suitable for
each dish.
Most Americans prefer coffee to tea, with
more than half of the adult population Vietnamese prefer to drink hot green tea
drinking at least one cup of coffee a day. and coffee without adding sugar or milk.
Reason:
- It is a combination of social, cultural factors that determine how
people are. American is a western country, they produce mainly nuts and seeds.
Americans has busy lifestyle, they do not have more time for meals. So eating fast
food is a great choice. Especially, fast foods are cheapest items in America.
- Vietnam is an agricultural country, so since ancient times rice has
become a traditional dish of Vietnamese people. And fast food is expensive in
Vietnam, so they just eat fast food on special occasions.
b. Fitness:

Americans Vietnamese
Vietnamese people have a small shape, the
Americans are tall and they have long life sub-standard height and their longevity is
expectancy. lower than Americans.
The overall population is becoming Currently, Vietnamese people are
heavier. The number of people who are at suffering from malnutrition rather than

11
 least 20 percent over their desirable obesity. In 2020, although the percentage
weight has risen from one in four to one in of people obesity is increased, it is still
three Americans. Obesity is considered to lower than Americans and it is mainly
be an increased risk factor for several occurring in children.
other chronic diseases. For example,
obesity is linked to an increased risk of
disease transmission. Scientists think it is
possible that obesity alters the body's
immune response, leading to chronic
inflammation, making it easier for obese
adults to be contagious.
Reason:

- Due to poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Americans eat a lot of fast
food, sweets and get too little exercise. In the context of Covid-19 in the
America, measures to block, social isolation made Americans lazier in
mobilizing.
- Vietnamese people have healthy eating habits. Different diets lead to different
physical development. Vietnamese people eat a lot of green vegetables, low-
grade animals like clams, oysters, and mussels.

V. Television and its impact

5.1. Overview in America
According to Nielsen’s Total Audience Report, 2020, television is still the
most used electronic medium in the US. On average, Americans aged 18 and older spend
more than four hours a day watching TV. In particular, there is a large generation gap in
TV consumption.
While people aged 50 and older spend six hours a day in front of television,
young people watch significantly less television. Children can spend 24 per week
watching TV. this difference might be explained by the fact that many people over the
age of 50 are retired and thus have more time to watch TV, the fact that younger people
are more likely to use streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
instead of watching traditional TV.
5.2 The impact of television
In fact, promoting the image of a slender woman is still popular in American
Television shows, movies, commercial television. This causes negative impact on the

12
psyche of viewers, especially teenage girls. The consequence of this promotion is that
many teenage girls have become insecure about their bodies and so obsessed with losing
weight.
Television has a strong effect on the activity level of many Americans. The
more people watch TV, the less likely they are to exercise. As a result, they intent to turn
themselves into “couch potatoes”. It means that many Americans spend more of their
leisure watching TV than doing any other activity. For example, instead of choosing to
participate in outdoor sports activities or hang out with friends, they lie in bed and enjoy
TV programs.
Spending too much time on television can shortened kids’ attention span.
According to the research, multitasking decreased individual’s attention span when our
focus shifts too often. The habit of multitasking came from being on phone and switching
the things we do. For example, it is common to change channels while watching
programs on TV, they easily get bored with the content. This instant switching of
channels makes children shifts their attention to different contents too fast. Thus, this can
lead to decreasing their attention span.
Another bad effect is that children are more likely to be exposed to sex and
violence if they watch TV, play game and explore the internet. The reason behind it is
that contents shown on TV or video games are not controlled. Thus, many parents worry
about programs containing sexual and violent content that can adversely affect children's
perceptions. In fact, it’s difficult for parents to monitor what their children are watching
on TV. Americans put a high value on individual freedom, especially freedom of speech.
Many are hesitant to censor or even restrict the flow of information by any means of
communication. Censorship really happens when the government sets the standards.
Furthermore, children are often watching television when their parents are either not in
the room or even at home.

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are using the internet to meet new
people and socialize. We cannot deny the benefits that the internet brings to us, but this it
also carries many risks. Parents are extremely concerned about their children meeting
strangers on the Internet and about possible exposure to pornography. In addition, many
adults have been the victims of scams where they are tricked into giving personal
information that allows criminals to steal money from their bank accounts.
5.3. Comparison of television’s impact in the US and in Vietnam
- Similarities
Similar to the US, television is still one of the most important electronic
devices for Vietnamese people. According to a survey by Kantar, 99% of Vietnamese
people in big cities watch TV every day. Furthermore, there is a difference in
consumption TV between generations both in the US and in Vietnam. In both countries,

13
people aged 50 and older will spend the most time on television while young people will
spend more time on online viewing platforms.
It can be said that in both Vietnam and the US, TV has a profound effect on
people's lives. It is used as an informative device, directly or indirectly affecting viewer’s
perception and action after receiving information from TV. TV is also a source of
entertainment. For example, it brings music, movies, gameshow, etc. to us and this makes
us enjoy and ease boredom in our free time.
However, television brings both Americans and Vietnamese some negative
effects if they do not know the balance between watching TV and doing other activities
as well as choosing appropriate content to watch.
Some drawbacks of watching TV:
 Sex, crime, and violence are frequently depicted on television and
may have negative effects on impressionable children and adults.
 Watching too much television is not good for your health. Excessive
TV watching (more than 3 hours a day) can also contribute to sleep difficulties,
behavior problems, lower grades, and other health issues.
 If you're so wrapped up in your program that you start ignoring or
spending less time with the ones you love, television can destruct your
relationships
- Differences
The US Vietnam
Appearance Promoting the image of a slender The viewers are less affected by
woman in TV shows or movies can appearance. People still admire the
negative impact on the psyche of slim body of actors and singers, but
American viewers. As a result, they believe that as an artist, they
many people have become insecure must take care of their appearance.
about their bodies and so obsessed
with losing weight.
Violence In the United States, children watch The percentage of children affected
an average of three to four hours of by violent content on TV is lower
television a day. Unfortunately, in Vietnam than in the United
most of today's television States. The reasons behind it are
programming is violent. The that TV shows in Vietnam have
American Psychological less violent content than in the US.
Association estimates that the Furthermore, most parents in
average child will witness 8,000 Vietnam supervise their children
made-for-TV murders before quite closely. However, violent
finishing elementary content in superhero movies is
school. Studies of the impact of TV quite common. As a result, this may

14
 violence on children have found
that children can become
insensitive to violence. As a result,
children tend to gradually accept
violence as a way to solve problems
by imitating the violent behaviors
they observe on television.
Relationship Families can be negatively affected
between by watching too much television,
family leading to reduced interactions
members among family members. The
average American family spends
more than 31 hours watching
television per week, while spending
only about 38 minutes in the entire
week interacting without screens
with each other.
Obesity The United States ranks first in the
world for obesity rates among
children and young people. In the
US, 24% of children are overweight
and 16% of children are obese.
Spending too much time in front of
the screen is considered one of the
main causes of childhood obesity.
On average, American children
between the ages of 2 and 11 watch
about 3.5 hours of television a day
while spending less time outdoors
activities. Lack of exercise leads to
accumulation of excess fat in the
body
15
lead children to think that the use of
violence is acceptable.
In Vietnam, watching TV is also
considered a good tradition, this is
the time when the whole family
gathers together, watching favorite
programs together, commenting on
content, and sharing daily stories. It
can be said that TV creates
connection between family
members. However, in the current
technological age, the interaction
between family members is also
reduced because people tend to use
social networking sites such as
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter to
share their stories.
According to the results of the
National Nutrition Census, the
obesity rate in Vietnam is 19.0% in
2020. On average, nationwide, the
obesity rate of Vietnamese children
is 7.4%. This rate is much lower
than the US but tends to increase
rapidly in the near future, especially
in the context of complicated
developments of Covid-19
pandemic. During the time when
they do not have to go to school
due to the impact of the pandemic,
Vietnamese children spend more
time watching TV. In addition to
being sedentary while watching
TV, children also eat a lot of fast
food while watching their favorite
TV shows, leading to the
 possibility of weight gain

CONCLUSION

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 The types of recreation, leisure and sports activities people participate in vary
greatly depending on local context, and tend to reflect the social systems and cultural
values. America and Vietnam are similar in several aspects but there’s different as well.

REFERENCES

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1. MARYANNE KEARNY DATESMAN (2014), “American ways: An introduction
to American culture”
2. Wikipedia, “ Leisure time in Vietnam”
3. Custom and culture of Vietnam: Mark W.McLeod and Nguyen Thi Dieu

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