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What does a typical American person look like?
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Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenWhat does a typical American person look like?
There's no one way to answer this (pretty loaded) question. If you choose to answer generally, you may describe a typical American person as someone who has an American passport, or maybe someone with an American accent. However, you may choose to answer the question with a diplomatic "it depends on the person!".
American identity is rich, complex and multi-faceted. In this explanation:
Let's get started!
There's no one real definition of American identity. The US is a diverse melting pot of people from all kinds of backgrounds. Many argue that this enriches the cultural fabric of the country.
However, studying the people who form part of this diverse American identity is not only a big task but an important one. Within the topic of American identity, we'll be studying the following:
Gender
Social class
Many aspects of our identity can form part of our American identity as a whole. If you're not sure what this means, check out our examples of American identity below.
Asian American identity refers to people with Asian backgrounds from the US or living in the US. Asian Americans may have been born in the US or emigrated from Asia as first or second-generation immigrants. According to the Pew Research Center in 20211, Asians made up 7% of the nation's population, and this number is projected to be almost four times this amount by 2060.
With such a large population, it's important to understand the diversity among Asians. In the US, the word 'Asian' usually connotes those from North or East Asia, such as China, Japan, or the Koreas, but it is important to note that 'Asia' also includes South Asians such as Indians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis.
Asian Americans have diverse links to their home countries, with differences in:
clothing
food
traditions
languages
values and beliefs
physical features
Fig. 1 - Is there anything that is common with all Americans?
African American identity is one that is widely studied in the US due to its key role in American nationality and history. According to data from 20202, the Black or African American population of the US is nearly 47 million people, which is 14.2% of the total population. It is one of the largest minority groups in the US.
To be African American means to be a Black American with partial or full ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. African Americans may also be referred to as Black Americans or Afro-Americans.
The Pew Research Center, in 2022, found that being Black was central or very important to how Black Americans view themselves3. This was true for 76% of the Black Americans that were analyzed.
Despite differences in wealth, location, sexuality, and ethnicity, many Black Americans stated that they had things in common with other groups of Black Americans.
Black Americans also feel deep connections with each other; 52% of Black Americans claimed that issues concerning Black people in the US affected their own lives. 30% claimed that these issues personally impact them. There were also strong links found between Black Americans and how they feel about issues concerning Black people around the world.
It's hard to have a discussion about American identity without mention of Native American identity. In the US, Native Americans, also known as the indigenous population or American Indians, comprise just under 7 million people according to 2022 figures from the US Census Bureau.
The term Native American does not include Native Hawaiians or some Alaskan Native people.
Native Americans form an integral part of American identity and live across the US. Whilst California has the greatest number of Native Americans, Alaska has the highest population of Native Americans relative to the state population, according to the World Population Review 2022.
There are 574 federally recognized Native American tribes in the US, which are listed by state. With such diversity in the Native American population, Native American identity is shaped by many factors, such as a tribal group's:
values and beliefs
languages
practices/customs
cultural wear
history
geographical location
By looking at Americans and national identity, we can try to understand what it inherently means to be from here: what makes America American?
Based on the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI)'s 2021 findings4 from the American Values Survey, a significant majority of Americans believe that to be "truly American", it is important that people:
believe in individual freedoms (such as freedom of speech) - 95%
accept those with different religious and racial backgrounds - 92%
respect American political bodies and American laws - 91%
believe that each citizen should be able to vote - 93%
can speak English - 79%
Is being a Christian important to being American?
This may seem like an unusual prerequisite, but 43% of Americans believe so. Within this category, Republicans were more likely to make this claim than Democrats or independent supporters.
By contrast, only 9% of members from non-Christian religions believe that being Christian is an important part of being truly American.
In our sociological studies, we'll be covering several characteristics of American identity. Above, you looked at examples of American identity formed with ethnic backgrounds, but in truth, there are plenty of ways through which Americans identify themselves.
While there is no universally agreed-upon definition of social class, generally, it can be defined as a form of categorization or classification of people with similar socioeconomic backgrounds and social status. This includes similarities in property, prestige, and power.
On the topic of social class, we'll be looking at:
how social class is divided in the US
how social class affects people's life chances and experiences
The characteristics of social class refer to indicators of social class; this involves looking at a person's occupation, wealth, social networks, and education, for example.
We'll be looking at class inequality in the US, including trends, patterns, and potential explanations.
Social mobility refers to a person's ability to change social classes, e.g. move up or down the social ladder. This may happen if, for example, you win the lottery and become part of the upper class.
You'll learn about the three broad types of social mobility: intergenerational, structure, and exchange.
Here, we'll be learning about how social class is measured - how do people know which social class they're in?
The reasoning behind social class and inequality is varied, as you will see in the following theoretical perspectives.
Conflict theory on social class
Marxists believe that social class division between the ruling capitalist class and the proletariat (workers) is the basis of conflict in society.
Symbolic interactionism on social class
Symbolic interactionists aim to study how people's social status and standing affect their lives and everyday experiences.
Functionalist perspective on social class
Functionalists believe in meritocracy, which results in different wealth distribution and results in social classes.
Over time, sociologists have enhanced our understanding of social class models.
Don't worry if you don't understand now - you'll find a lot more detail on this in our relevant articles.
The topic of Race and Ethnicity is an important one, and will ask:
what are race and ethnicity?
what is the difference between the two?
does race exist?
how do differences in race and ethnicity affect minority groups?
It's important to understand the difference between these key terms. A racial group is a group characterized by physical differences; African American is an example of a racial group. On the other hand, an ethnic group is characterized by national background and culture. An example of an ethnic group is Italian Americans.
Lastly, a minority group is a group that not only makes up less than half of a larger population but is a group that has less control or power in society compared to the dominant group.
How do ethnic groups interact, and what experiences do they face?
Discrimination
We'll be learning about the difference between discrimination and prejudice; discrimination refers to an unjust action against a group of people based on a particular characteristic of theirs (with a focus on racial discrimination).
Prejudice and racism
Here, we'll explore the relationship between prejudice and racism, including definitions of both terms.
Stereotypes
We'll look at what stereotypes are, and how they can affect perceptions of a particular group.
Multiple identities
Multiple identities refer to those with more than one ethnic background; we'll be considering how attitudes to mixed-race people have changed.
Race and ethnicity in the US is a deeply complex topic, so we can't cover it all, but we'll learn about the following important aspects.
Ethnic groups in the US
Ethnic groups in the US include Native Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Arab Americans, and White Ethnic Americans.
Segregation
Segregation is when two groups in society are physically separated. We'll be learning about racial segregation in the US.
Intergroup relationships
Intergroup relationships refer to the degree of tolerance and intolerance between different groups of people. The most extreme form of intolerance is genocide and the most tolerant form is multiculturalism or pluralism.
Unsurprisingly, sociological perspectives differ greatly regarding race and ethnicity.
Symbolic interactionism on race and ethnicity
Interactionists look at how races and ethnicities are perceived by looking at interactions between dominant and minority groups.
Conflict perspective on race and ethnicity
Feminists discuss the intersection between race, gender, social class, and sexual orientation to highlight differences in experiences between minority groups.
Functionalist perspective on race and ethnicity
Functionalists look at the effects of racial inequalities on society's overall operations.
Fig. 2 - It's important to study American identity from minority groups' perspectives.
For sociologists, gender refers to the behavior and socialization that is 'assigned' to males and females and masculinity and femininity.
On the topic of gender, we'll be asking several questions, such as:
What is gender?
What is the difference between sex and gender?
How does our gender identity influence our behavior?
How do gender roles work in society?
In this topic, we will understand how our gendered behaviors are learned through the process of socialization.
Gender identity refers to how people see their own gender - do they identify with their biological sex?
Sociologists have a lot to say about sex and gender. We'll be looking at the following theoretical perspectives:
Symbolic interactionism on sex and gender
Symbolic interactionism talks about how sex and gender are socially constructed, and how we understand symbols in relation to gender.
Conflict perspective on sex and gender
Marxists discuss the role of women's domestic labor in maintaining capitalism, and feminism talks about the role and status of women in US society.
Functionalist perspective on sex and gender
Functionalists argue that gender roles keep families functioning effectively and that changes in women's place in the workforce led to changes in the family.
Sex refers to the biological/physical differences between male and female organs, reproductive systems, and bodies. Sexuality, or sexual orientation, refers to someone's sexual, physical, and emotional attraction toward a particular sex.
On the topic of Sex and Sexuality, we'll be looking at:
how sex and sexuality are perceived in the US
issues with our understanding of sex and sexuality
Studying sexual orientation is a key part of studying sex and sexuality. We'll be looking at:
attitudes towards sexuality in the US
attitudes towards sexuality around the world
Sexual behavior is universal, but sexual attitudes and practices certainly aren't. We'll be looking at how these can differ on a societal level.
We'll be looking at how US schools approach Sex Education, and what influences the teaching of sex education.
Sex and sexuality is usually a topic that generates strong opinions: sociology is no different!
Queer theory on sexuality
Queer theorists argue that our preconceived ideas about sex, sexual orientation, and sexuality should be questioned and expanded to account for different experiences.
Symbolic interactionism on sexuality
Symbolic interactionists look at perceptions, meanings, and associations of sexuality and sexual orientation.
Conflict theory on sexuality
Conflict theory looks at power dynamics between different groups with diverse sexualities.
Functionalist perspective on sexuality
Functionalists believe that sexual behavior is essential for families and socialization.
To have an American identity means to feel part of being American, either by birthplace, residence or through values.
An American identity can be created through living in the US and considering it to be an important part of who you are. You could also consider yourself American by virtue of being born and raised in the US, or having an American parent.
Many consider the value of individual freedom and liberty to be an important American value.
Some believe that the American dream is the same as having an American identity due to the opportunities presented to Americans. However, many believe that other things are synonymous to an American identity, such as liberty and individual freedom.
It is thought that people started to call themselves American in the 18th century.
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SIGNUP SIGNUPFlashcards in American Identity133
Start learningWhat are some characteristics of American identity?
The following are some characteristics of American identity:
Sex and sexuality
Gender
Race and ethnicity
Social class
Give three examples of American identity.
Examples include:
In 2021, how Asian Americans made up how much of the nation's population?
7%.
The number of American Asians is projected to be ___ times more than the current amount by 2060. Fill in the blanks.
4.
In the US, what does the word 'Asian' usually connote?
In the US, the word 'Asian' usually connotes those from North or East Asia, such as China, Japan or the Koreas.
According to data from 2020, how large is the Black or African American population in the US?
47 million.
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