INDIVIDUALITY AND PRIVACY

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 508.

Another important cultural value in the United States is individuality, often referred to as “freedom” by Americans [23]. Broadly speaking, individualism, as developed in the works of the seventeenth-century English philosopher John Locke, holds that each person is unique, special, completely different from all other individuals, and the basic unit of nature” [24]. Locke's view is simple: The interests of the individual are or ought to be paramount, and all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals. Individualism commands so much influence among Americans that it gives rise to other U.S. values, such as personal initiative, self-reliance, and equal opportunity.

The emphasis on the individual is also found elsewhere in the world, but it has emerged as the cornerstone of American culture. The origin of this value has a long history. The emphasis on individualism arose from the early settlers' desire to escape the repressive conditions that then characterized European society [25]. Whether one is considering sexual, social, or ethical matters, among Americans the self holds the pivotal position. This notion is so strong that some Americans see a person who fails to demonstrate individuality as being out of step with society. Regardless if conveyed by literature, art, or American history, the message is the same - individual achievement, sovereignty, and freedom are the virtues most glorified and canonized.

Despite today's stress on personal freedom and individual rights, Americans also have a very distinct group orientation. The United States is a culture of voluntarism, where people participate in groups of their own choosing [26]. Gannon and Pillai bring this point out. “Americans are also group-oriented and being part of a group or network and identifying with it is essential for success in almost all instances. Within the group structure specialization is exalted and everyone is expected to add value to the final product or service because of it” [27]. In each case, a person's specialty is used to benefit the entire team (group) while concurrently providing a degree of individual identity.