The Components Of White Culture: Values And Beliefs

The Components of White Culture: Values and Beliefs

Rugged Individualism Family Structure Individual as primary unit Nuclear family is ideal social unit Individual as primary responsibility Male is breadwinner and head of household Independence and autonomy highly Female is homemaker and subordinate to husband valued and rewarded Patriarchal structure Individual can control environment Competition Status and Power Winning is everything Measured by economic possessions Win/lose dichotomy Credentials, titles and positions Communication Action Orientation Standard English Must master and control nature Written tradition Must always do something about a situation Direct eye contact Pragmatic/utilitarian view of life Limited physical contact Control emotions Time Progress and Future Orientation Adherence to rigid time Plan for future Time is viewed as a commodity Delayed gratification Value continual improvement and progress Holidays Aesthetics Based on Christian religion Music and art based on European cultures Based on White history and male leaders Women’s beauty based on blonde, blue-eyed, thin and young Men’s attractiveness based on athletic ability, power and economic status Religion Emphasis on Scientific Method Belief in Christianity Objective, rational, linear thinking No tolerance from deviation from single god Cause and effect relationships concept Quantitative emphasis

Protestant Work Ethic Working hard brings success

From The Counseling Psychologist (p. 618) by J.H. Katz (1985)