Robin Williams’ analysis of the American culture is one of the most used analyses in sociology. Williams divided the analysis into two major categories to represent the social and personal values. Social values comprise national progress, racial and sexual equality, moral integrity, humanitarianism, political democracy, and patriotism. On the other hand, personal values are achievements and success, freedom, material comfort, individualism, practicality, and efficiency of work (Williams, 1960). Williams’ value configuration enables understanding of the American both as individuals and as a culture. However, this essay focuses on the achievement and success-competitive environment of American. The essay uses the three main sociological theories namely functional, conflict and symbolic interaction theories to analyze the value of success and achievement in the U.S.
Analysis
Williams argued that achievement and success entail the individual aspects and understanding of success. He claimed that the various definitions of achievements and success result in setting different goals among the Americans. However, Americans tend to look at their individual achievements by comparing themselves with their peers, neighbors, their parents, or the material comfort (Williams, 1960). Hence the continued association with success, for instance, in the 1976 Olympics, Shine regarded himself as a winner although he came second in the 400-hurdles final. Americans also saw him as a winner and proud of his achievements.
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Functional Theory
Emile Durkheim’s functional theory argues that a society’s stability relies on the interdependence of its parts (Lareau, 2011). He argued that a society operates like an organism that relies on the different components forming its body. Therefore, the social institutions such as family, the economy, religion, government, and education shape the society. This theory interprets the society as a unit formed by the integration of different parts of the society. Williams argued that Americans value for equal opportunity rather than equality of conditions. Therefore, the K-12 system offers equal opportunity for the children education (Lareau, 2011). Education being the platform of success means that children are able to set their goals that are vital for their future careers and measure of success. However, the functional theory is based on integration between different institutions to form the society. Therefore, education, family and economic class determine the aspects and definition of achievement and success (Devinney, Auger & De Sailly, 2012). Children from poor neighborhood tend to use this initiative and the value of progress to improve their living standards to prove their success.
Conflict Theory
Marxist theorists argue that alienation, powerlessness, and inequality result in conflict. Non-Marxists theorists use a similar definition but claim that conflict arises from opposing interests and values. Karl Marx known for his critique against capitalism argued that the competition of finite resources resulted in conflict as the oppressed oppose the dominant classes (Lareau, 2011). This definition formed the foundation of the theory. Americans are individualistic and value the ability to have equal opportunity to exploit in their bid to progress. These features have led to a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor.
As Marx stated, such inequalities resulted in conflict, 99% versus 1% demonstrations proved Marx arguments (Matthews, 2015). Americans argued that the inequality in wealth was the main challenge of improving the poor to progress. It was evident that the wide gaps make it difficult for those in low-economic status to remain at the same level rather than progress (Matthews, 2015). The essence that children from low-income families were three-time more likely to drop out of college than their colleagues from the wealthy families does prove that the wealth gap inhibits equal opportunity thus hindering American’s success and achievement (Lareau, 2011).
Symbolic Interaction Theory
This approach unlike the previous two theories that employ macro-level analysis, applies a micro level in its analysis of societies. The theory uses symbols that have meaning to the society, for instance, the singing of the national anthem and the flag to show patriotism. Americans are patriotic and use these symbols to prove to everyone. The melting pot and land of opportunity tend to dominate the symbols of the society. However, racial and gender inequalities result in dishonor of the minorities thus making it difficult to prove their success. In a past incident, NFL players of color refused to stand during the national anthem resulting in heated debates. The players complained of discrimination, which is against the values stated by Williams (Mindock, 2018). However, since most whites supported the move makes it clear that Americans value equality. It is also vital to note that standing is a symbol of honoring the flag, therefore, kneeling was a dishonorable act but it helped send the message to all Americans on the need to enhance equality.
References
Devinney, T., Auger, P., & De Sailly, R. (2012). What Matters to Americans: Social, Economic and Political Values. SSRN Electronic Journal . doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2207463
Lareau, A. (2011). Unequal childhoods: Class, race, and family life . Berkeley: University of California Press.
Lee, J., & Zhou, M. (2014). The Success Frame and Achievement Paradox: The Costs and Consequences for Asian Americans. Race And Social Problems , 6 (1), 38-55.
Matthews, C. (2015, March 2). The myth of the 1% and the 99%. Fortune . Retrieved September 28, 2018, from http://fortune.com/2015/03/02/economic-inequality-myth-1-percent-wealth/
Mindock, C. (2018, September 4). Taking a knee: Why are NFL players protesting and when did they start to kneel? Independent . Retrieved September 28, 2018, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/taking-a-knee-national-anthem-nfl-trump-why-meaning-origins-racism-us-colin-kaepernick-a8521741.html
Williams, R. M. (1960). American society: A sociological interpretation . New York: Knopf.
