THE AMERICAN PEOPLEReading British & American CultureWeek 9Professor Hayashi

TODAY’S CLASS- attendance- article presentation & DISCUSSION- facts & figures- conducting a surveyBREAK- young people in the U.S.A.- the richest nation on earth

• Facts & Figures About Americans

Families- There was an increase in

one parent families- Most one parent families

were single mothers1980 1988

Two parent 78.5% 72.7%

One parent (mother/child)

18.4% 23.7%

One parent (father/child) 3.1% 3.6%

Family Expenditure

In 1988, Americans spent:-more on health-less on travel-less on food-slightly more on housing-slightly less on clothing-more on recreational goods-the same on miscellaneous

Pet OwnershipFrom 1982 – 1989:- dog ownership dropped

from 40.5% to 36.2%- cat ownership increased

from 27% to 30%

SURVEY SAYS…Look at Leisure & Sport in the USA1.The most popular participation sport for men is

swimming. The most popular participation sport for women is exercise walking.

2.Men and women almost equally enjoy bicycle riding.

3.Aerobics are more popular for women.4.Fishing and basketball are more popular for men.

HUFS Survey!In your groups, create a

chart or graph based on either:

- particpation sports- spectator sports- pet ownership- expenditures- otherJUST HAVE FUN WITH IT!

Top Concern: environmentNew Concern: government hand-gun control

effortsMore Conservative about: drugs and crimeMore Liberal about: abortion

College Students – pg. 53

POP MUSIC – pg. 531.Frank Sinatra attacked Rock n’

Roll. Today, rap and heavy metal are under attack.

2.Florida and Tennessee are two states considering legislation against ‘objectionable’ music. 11 other states are considering legislation.

3.Harris believes that minors should be able to buy any kind of music.

Positive Changes Negative Changes

- GDP doubled during the 1980’s - GDP doubled through borrowing

- lots of people prospered - national debt tripled

- 20 million new jobs were created - corporate & personal debt soared

- booming international trade is spreading wealth around the world

- widening gap between rich and poor

- poverty increased

-new jobs were low paid service positions

- USA was the world’s biggest creditor then largest debtor

The Richest Nation on Earth – pg. 54