Work Ethic

Attitude towards Work in America Have Been Very Much Influence by the Work Ethic. This Work Ethic is Also Called The “ Protestant  Ethic “ It Motivates People to Work Hard so that They Become Successful. The Work Ethic has something to do With the Quality Of Goodness. This Ethic was the result of the religious belief that success was a sign of God’ s  “ chosen “and would go to heaven. Whether one was successful or not work had religious and moral Value.

Nowadays The Work Ethic is still Important ; However it has lost its religious significance. the outcome of the American Work Value is materialism and has The Tendency to be concerned with wealth and possessions.


In America, People believe that they are rewarded  for  working, producing and achieving . They believe that there is equality of opportunity that allows anyone to become successful.

There are same people who really do succeed In raising their economic and social levels.  Many employees have a succession of jobs constitute a career. Employees get the opportunity to progress to higher positions in business, Organizations, government agencies and firms.

In America the government recognizes the importance of work  as a means for survival. It has established several systems as compensation for people who are unemployed. Some retired persons also receive a pension which is based on how long they worked at one job.

There are also people who work very hard to “ climb up the ladder “ so as to increase their status, Financial position and sense of self work. These people are driven to work as a result of the work ethic. They spend so much time working and as a consequence they have little time for leisure and personal relationship.

Despite the presence of workaholic, people in America realize that excessive work demands can be physically and mentally harmful. Many people have protested and rebelled against the work ethic, because when work is considered important personal relationship suffer and relaxation becomes secondary.

As a consequence there has been a shift in values, with more emphasis given to personal relationship and non-work  activities. Leisure time provides opportunities to find personal satisfaction and freedom from routine work.

A characteristic of America culture that has become almost a tradition is the glorification of the self-made man, who has risen to the top through his own efforts, usually beginning by working with his hands.

In addition she will do her household work herself. Eventhough her husband may be a professional man, he talks about washing the car, digging in the flower beds and painting the house. His wife my help him with these things just as he often helps her with the washing.

Foreigners sometimes draw the conclusion that an America is wealthier than he is because he has such things as a private motorboat or a beautifully landscape garden. Yet they do not always realize that the American has these things only because he has mode them himself.