You may have heard the word ‘Americanisation’ popping up throughout the media over the last few years and wondered what it means.  Americanisation is the term used to describe how people feel their culture is being substituted with the worst parts of American Culture.  Michael Dobson looks into how the UK is getting… Yankee’d up.

Firstly, what makes it so easy for us as young people in the UK to take on the values and attitudes of the USA is - language.  This makes it easy for us to take onboard many aspects of life from across the Atlantic.  We get a lot more out of films produced in Hollywood and TV shows such as the O.C and Friends than in mainland Europe for example.

Then there’s the fact that both have so many similar interests in the world. Both countries are very wealthy meaning millions of young people in each country have access to the internet and we are subjected to the same sorts of news and views.  And although it may not interest you in the slightest, both countries have the same kinds of political views.  This worries me and many other young people in our country. An example of why can be found in any George Bush speech.  One such example on politicalhumor.about.com quotes President Bush, in Rome, 2001 saying - “I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe – I believe what I believe is right”.   Say no more.

Bush highlights for many of us an attitude that is pretty disturbing.  The things he says reflect a lack of knowledge on any level and a cockiness that teaches young people - as long as you are doing something in the name of ‘good’ or ‘god’ then it’s ok!  Much of the world sees America as using their power to ‘bully’ and that their playing of God is actually breeding hate.  With the UK being seen as America’s ‘best friend’, many of us who feel like this don’t want to be stood next to the school bully when he eventually get his comeuppance!

Prime examples of cocky Americans can also be seen across their big business, entertainment industry too.  Not just through the crazy one-liners that actors throw about with a gun in their hand, but with real stars.  In the case of 50 cent, I do believe he is talented, but having been shot a few times, which makes him a hard-nut gangster by American standards, we are expected to look up to him.  This Wild West ‘good guy bad guy’ attitude that is so much a part of American culture is becoming appealing to British youth too. I also think in many ways that the unique patriotic attitude they also preach promotes a society with little respect for other cultures.

It is these negative and ignorant attitudes that leads to their large corporations making bad decisions in the world, and not worrying about how they affect other cultures and traditions.  This is the main reason there is negativity around Americanisation.  Why should one very rich, large and powerful country, have so much influence over the individuality of the rest of the world?

A prime example of this is McDonalds.  Is it any wonder that child obesity has risen to worrying levels here in the UK when 2.5 million people across our country indulge in a Big Mac or another fast food fix every day?  And why is Coca Cola so ‘positive’, when they make millions by ruining our teeth?  Still, at least dentists earn a living! Coca-Cola has affected the world in a way that no other company ever has, ‘refreshing peoples mouths’ and doing who knows what damage in over 200 countries, and yep you guessed it…it’s an American company.

After all this, you will probably be thinking is there anything good about Americanisation?! Perhaps not in terms of world politics, but for me, definitely in terms of sport!  Americans have a very family orientated view of sport, which would be much welcoming over here instead of the hooligan behaviour we’re unfortunately known for.  Another thing I like about Americans is their fashion. Many of them dress really well and they’re good at quality makes such as Levi’s, K-Swiss and G-star.

Well, I guess it’s all a good guy, bad guy thing really…and it’s worth keeping in mind that being rich, big and powerful can still lead to stupidity. So just be sure you’re not taking on a Wild West attitude or worse still, talking nonsense like George Bush.

By Michael Dobson

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