American Daily Life
A look at the traditional lifestyles, clothing, cuisine, and housing of the United States.
Traditional American Lifestyles
Before European contact, the people of North America spent thousands of years adapting to life in their local landscapes and climate. Their lifestyles were as varied as their languages and cultures. While many worked as hunters, fishermen, and farmers in small, kin-based communities, others lived in large towns or stayed on the move as nomadic hunters and gatherers. Their diets, homes, and clothing were just as diverse. Maize or corn served as a common staple crop alongside squash and beans. Meats like venison, rabbit, pheasant, trout, eel, and salmon were also widely consumed. Housing consisted of timber, adobe clay, hides, sod, brush, and other materials built in a number of styles.
The first European settlers in North America primarily lived as farmers, fishermen, and trappers. They brought with them new crops and technologies, but raw land and few supplies required hard physical labor. Demand for skilled trades grew with towns and cities, especially in the northern states. For the most part, however, the average family continued to survive as farmers. Women generally did not work outside the home. Instead, many raised crops, livestock, and children and sold their extra yields to support their families.This pattern of life continued as settlers pushed west, at the expense of existing indigenous people.
Over time, the lifestyle of the average American moved away from agriculture. A booming economy built on manufacturing drove millions of people to the cities. By the 20th century, a large middle class had formed, radiating out of the cities and into surrounding suburbs. The “American dream” developed at this time: the idea that any person could rise to a comfortable lifestyle through hard work and dedication.
Further Reading:
American Cuisine
American cuisine is highly regional. It developed in part through the resources of the land, but also through the contributions of dozens of immigrant cultures. The Southeast, for example, possesses a culinary tradition rooted in West African, Native American, French, and Spanish customs. The Southwest specializes in Spanish and indigenous Mexican dishes. The Northeast and Pacific Northwest are both known for their seafoods.
Other foods can be found nearly anywhere in the United States. Dietary staples include wheat, pork, corn, rice, chicken, beef, and potatoes. These basic ingredients make up popular dishes like hot dogs, hamburgers, potato fries, pizza, and macaroni. Grilled and barbecued meats are also commonly served as part of social gatherings. American diets tend to be high in sugar, most notably carbonated sodas. Restaurants often specialize in foreign cuisines like Italian, Thai, Greek, or Chinese, sometimes as a fusion with other cultural styles.
Access to global commerce has both diversified and standardized the diets of the United States. In the 20th century, its markets began stocking foods from far and near, supported by increasingly advanced shipping methods. American people began growing less of their own food in favor of industrial farms. While the apple is a symbol of health in the United States, its most popular fruit is the banana. Apples have been grown locally since colonial times; bananas, however, are mainly imported from Central or South America.
Further Reading:
Historic American Housing
As the nation developed, three distinct housing types emerged in urban, suburban, and rural areas. In the cities, high-density apartments and multi-story homes make the best of limited space and booming populations. Those who work in the cities but prefer more space often choose to live in suburbs instead. Suburban homes tend to represent the American ideal of picket fences, a grassy yard, and nuclear families. More remote rural homes may vary from extreme wealth to poverty.
While homeownership is valued in the United States, many people rent houses or apartments instead. Individuals may also choose to buy a pre-manufactured house and rent the land it’s on, known as mobile homes. In addition, recreational vehicles, hotels, and motels are all common forms of housing while traveling or between apartments.
Further Reading:
Clothing and Fashions of America
Clothing in the United States has undergone significant changes in its short history. Most immigrant families brought their own clothing to the nation before adjusting to the styles of their time and place. Women historically made clothing for their families, while upper class individuals visited tailors. Toward the end of the 19th century, widely available mail-order catalogs made it possible for Americans to purchase clothing made in mass quantities. Clothing became a fast-paced industry, leading to a blur of fads and divergent fashions. Denim, originally working cowboy apparel, became a national symbol in the 1950s.
The upper classes of the United States have historically followed Western clothing trends. Professional men in urban environments traditionally wear dark suits paired with a tie. The complexity, cuts, and acceptable colors of suits have all changed over time. In recent decades, apparel has grown more casual, even in professional settings. Suits are now typically reserved for those in management positions and formal occasions. A simpler button-up shirt and tie, accompanied by slacks or a skirt, are often adequate in the workplace.
Modern American Lifestyles
Today, the people of the United States live within the same socioeconomic system, but their experiences vary dramatically. Wealth, ethnic background, and location all play a role in children’s environment, opportunities, and community. Mobility remains high among the working population, who tend to move to urban centers for career advancement. Work is still a central aspect of many Americans’ identity, leading to a ‘work-hard, play-hard’ mentality. Sporting events and national holidays are widely celebrated and a common means for far-flung families to spend time together.
Learn More About American Culture
Cultural Overview | Geography | History | Daily Life | Society | Economy | Beliefs | Arts & Music
References
Fischer, Claude S. Made in America: A Social History of American Culture and Character. University of Chicago Press. 2010.
Grant, Susan-Mary. A Concise History of the United States of America. Cambridge University Press. 2012.
Nies, Judith. Native American History: A Chronology of a Culture's Vast Achievements and Their Links to World Events. Random House Publishing Group. 2012.
Remini, Robert. A Short History of the United States: From the Arrival of Native American Tribes to the Obama Presidency. Harper Collins. 2009.
“The World Factbook: United States.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 5 Sept. 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html.
Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present. Routledge. 2015.
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