17 Tenets of American Insecurity
What follows is a digest of the source of many American insecurities.
Within the confines of our nation Americans have unrealistic expectations. This is especially true for those of us who grew up in the explosion of the television era in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
- We have deluded ourselves into believing any problem that cannot be resolved within the confines of a 30 minute broadcast is beyond the realm of our ability to address. We are also operating under the delusion that all problems can be solved.
- We have set standards so high as to be unattainable.
- We believe that every man should be able to provide the entire financial means for his family. Not only should he be able to provide for the needs but for the whimsical desires as well. In addition, we believe he should be able to do this within the confines of the 40 hour work week.
- We came to the conclusion that the American perception of “middle class” is, in actuality, a level of opulence that is within the grasp of very few.
- We tell ourselves that any man with the least bit of ambition should be able to conceive and grow a business of his own. That business must not only be feasible, but must be profitable within three years.
- We believe that every many can be handsome and athletic, regardless of his genetic background. We believe his prowess in the arena of romance should be boundless and without difficulty. We believe it is his duty to maintain this status throughout his life.
- We believe that every woman has an incontrovertible right to choose whether she will remain at home to create a home environment of perfect harmony or whether she’ll will head the ranks of corporate society. We believe that every woman has the capacity to achieve either of these goals.
- We believe every woman has a duty to achieve the perfect physical balance of athletic physique and voluptuous with a minimum of effort. We believe she should be simultaneously chaste and passionate.
- We believe every child should perform in the top 5 percentile academically. Every child should be well mannered, straight, tall and athletic. Every child should go to college.
- We find the notion that the children of any other nation could outperform American children academically to be utterly reprehensible.
- We have absolutely no desire to be involved in the service industry, which we view as menial and beneath our dignity.
- We view Scientists and Doctors as the most prestigious professions and as such believe they are acceptable choices for our children.
- We view teachers and military officers as the next most prestigious and believe, although the pay is sub-standard, they are acceptable professions for someone of the middle class. The ratings of acceptable careers drop drastically from that point (The Harris Poll).
- We are oblivious to the identities of other sovereign nations of the western hemisphere and consider only natural born United States citizens to be “Americans.”
- We believe a democratic republic to be the only acceptable form of government.
- Internationally, we wish to be perceived as the one true super-power. We wish to be sought after, emulated and respected.
- We are dumb-struck by the unfathomable possibility that we would be negatively viewed by any other nation.
Goals of perfection are unattainable for individuals or nations. However, I know from my experience as a behavior consultant and counselor that reasonable goals can be an invaluable tool, as long as those goals are realistic and achievable.
Do you have a position on expectations of perfection?