Daily Life in the U.S.

How has diversity shaped the culture of the United States? 

The history of the United States is one of many cultures, each woven together over time. Since the colonial days, people have been moving to the United States from other countries. People immigrate because they want freedom, new jobs, an education, and other opportunities. As a result, an amazing variety of languages, religions, cultures, and customs can be found in the United States. 

Lifestyles vary across the United States. About two-thirds of American families own their own homes, ranging from single-story homes to high-rise apartments. This is one of the highest home ownership rates in the world. Because of their economic well-being, Americans also lead the world in ownership of cars and Internet use. Many Americans watch movies and television, but they also exercise and play sports. Millions participate in sports leagues devoted to games such as baseball and soccer. Important U.S. holidays include Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, and different celebrations based on religious and ethnic traditions. 

Ethnicity and Religion 

Many different ethnicities live in the United States. Over time, people have immigrated to the U.S. from nearly every corner of the world. In gathering population statistics, the Census Bureau classifies the people of the United States into several different categories. The most recent data collected from the 2010 Census show that the four most populous ethnic groups are Caucasian, Latino, African American, and Asian American. In the last two censuses, people of Hispanic or Latin American origin comprised the second-largest ethnic group after Caucasians. In the Census of 1990, African Americans made up the second-most-populous group. 

Ethnic and racial diversity are common in many areas of the United States. In Hawaii, Asian Americans and other distinct ethnic or racial groups form the majority of the population. In California, New Mexico, and Texas, Hispanics constitute a large part of the population. In these four states, non-Hispanic whites are in the minority. 

In the United States, the religion with the largest number of followers is Christianity. The influence of the Christian faith in the United States has continued since colonial times. However, many Americans practice the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu faiths. Research shows that 16 percent of Americans do not participate in organized religion. Nearly half of all American adults say they have changed their faiths or beliefs at least once in their lives.

The Arts and Culture 

The arts and culture found in the United States are diverse and multicultural. The various ethnic groups such as Latin American, African, Asian, and Native Americans all contribute to the art and culture of the United States. For centuries, Native Americans have carved wooden masks or created beautiful designs on pottery made from clay found in their areas. 

An endless variety of visual and performing arts—such as music, dance, drama, painting, sculpture, fashion, and architecture—are found in major metropolitan areas of the United States. Los Angeles, California, is home to the movie and television industries. In the early 1900s, movies started attracting large audiences. Today, the U.S. movie industry makes enormous profits and entertains audiences around the world. The small screen, or television, became popular in the country after World War II. 

American artists, writers, and musicians also have developed distinctly American styles. Two themes are common in literature and the arts. One theme focuses on the rich ethnic diversity of people in the United States. The poetry of Langston Hughes and the novels of Toni Morrison, for example, portray the triumphs and sorrows of African Americans. The novels of Amy Tan examine the lives of Chinese Americans. Oscar Hijuelos and Sandra Cisneros have written about the country’s Latinos. 

The second theme focuses on the landscape and history of particular areas. Winslow Homer painted the stormy waters of the North Atlantic. Georgia O’Keefe painted the colorful deserts of the Southwest. In contrast, Thomas Eakins and John Sloan often painted the gritty, or rough, side of city life. In literature, Mark Twain’s books tell about life on the Mississippi River in the mid-1800s. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about the people of New England. Willa Cather and Laura Ingalls Wilder portrayed the struggles people faced in settling the Great Plains. William Faulkner wrote about life in the South. 

Americans have created several new musical styles. Country music grew out of folk music from the rural South in the 1920s. The style gained many fans as it evolved, or developed, over the following decades. In the early 1900s, African Americans developed blues and jazz. Blues later inspired rock and roll in the 1950s. More recently, rap and hip-hop have gained popularity.