Posts
Mori says there are no second chances in Japan. People can't go back to school later in life to change careers. However in the US, the ability to "start over" is highly valued by Americans. The first English colonists to settle in what would become Massachusetts were starting over - they left everything behind to build a new society in an unexplored land. Because North America is big and fertile, it gave us the belief and confidence that it's possible to leave your home and job and build a life in a new city. If things weren't working out for you on the East Coast, you could head out to California to explore the western frontier. And still today, we like knowing that we can move to Los Angeles or San Francisco or any place where no one knows us and that we can get a "fresh start" - a new house, a new job, new friends, a new life. Because Americans believe in treating everyone equally, it makes it easier to start over in a new city where no one knows us and to have a fair chance at succeeding.
Want to learn more about these American values and others? Come to my talk at 3 p.m. in the Eastgate Penthouse on Wednesday.
All this talk about moving makes me wonder where Californians go to start over.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Perhaps the ability to start over is unique to people who have shared cultural values, live in a large area with similar governance (hence, fewer bureaucratic road blocks), and are relatively wealthy. Examples would be the US, Canada, and the European Union.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it's harder to start over in countries where people may be financially unable to further their education (less support from the government in terms of education loans), do not have access to quality institutions of higher learning or are simply considered "too old" for certain positions. I think there are many societies who are politically incorrect (in the American sense) and unapologetic about it.
And Californians? I think they go to Hawaii :)
Hi Azalea - I think you raise some very important points about the role that wealth and access to education plays in the ability to start over or change careers. I think Americans would like to think that with hard work and perseverance, anyone can change and improve their situation, but realistically, having resources (financial and otherwise) gives you a big advantage.
ReplyDeleteI agree that having similar rules and regulations across states makes it easier to move, but I also think that our system has evolved to allows lots of movement and flexibility - the ability to change quickly (jobs, houses, cities) is something we value.
I would love to start over in Hawaii!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete