A Portrait of Americans

concentrate-come close together in one place occupation-the work a person does to earn a living identity-who or what a person, thing, or group is retained-kept or held onto influence-to have an effect on society-people living together as a group, with the

same way of life resentment-a feeling of hurt or anger at others

doing better than oneself unique-being the only one of its kind

Vocabulary Building

demography – the study of the size, growth, and

distribution of human population Early Americans lived on farms or in small towns.

Today 79% live in urban areas. Sunbelt – warm-weather states such as GA, FL, TX

and AZ where many Americans are moving 30,000 occupations and 132 million workers 65% hold service jobs vs. farming and

manufacturing jobs service jobs – jobs in which a person makes a living

by providing a service for other people

Who Americans Are

More older Americans than ever before Life expectancy is increasing with advances in

medical care Baby boom – dramatic rise in the number of

births that occurred between 1946 and 1964 Social Security and Medicare will be strained

with aging population People today having fewer children then baby

boomers Americans have very diverse backgrounds

Ages of Americans

diversity – differences immigrants – people who move from one

country to make their homes in another country

Melting pot? Have we developed one identity? mosaic – small tiles of different sizes, shapes,

and colors

A Cultural Mosaic

Europeans – different governments and languages

as well as educational levels and religions Hispanics – Latinos – common language and culture African Americans – did not come voluntarily discrimination – the unfair treatment of a group of

people compared with another group Voting, schools, restaurants, hotels, theaters, buses,

colleges, & housing racism – the belief that members of one’s own race

are superior to those of other races

Immigrants

72% with HS diploma Asian Americans - over 10 million exclusion laws – prohibited any further

immigration from China and Japan Native Americans census – population survey that is taken every

10 years

Immigrants

beliefs – certain ideas that we trust are true values – standards of behavior – How should

we act and how should we live our lives? Each deserves the same right to reach their

full potential and contribute to society Equal respect

Values

equality – condition of permitting everyone the

same rights and opportunities Opportunities may be limited to your abilities,

energy and interests. freedom – ability to make choices justice – fairness – Does not mean that people

will be treated the same.

Equality, Freedom & Justice

We do not always achieve our ideal. Held together by fundamental belief in equal

respect for all. Not all live according to this. We do not always respect newcomers and

those who are different from us. Sometimes distrust people who look different

or have different beliefs. Work still needs to be done

The American Ideal