A Comprehensive Study of German-American Culture and Identity

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of German-American culture, examining their values, beliefs, and historical experiences. It explores key aspects such as education, punctuality, manners, and religious practices, highlighting their significance within the community. The essay delves into marital relationships, friendships, and perceptions of education, illustrating their cultural nuances. It further investigates the role of religion and spirituality, healthcare practices, immigration experiences, and encounters with racism and discrimination. Career development and parental-child relationships are also analyzed, offering a holistic understanding of the German-American cultural group and their contributions to American society. The research draws on various scholarly sources to enrich understanding of this group.

Running head: GERMAN-AMERICANS 1
German-Americans cultural group
Name:
Institution Affiliation:

GERMAN-AMERICANS 2
Introduction
German-Americans are Americans immigrants of the German origin. This cultural group
accounts for the largest group of Americans who account for 50 million who have German
ancestry (Abramitzky, Boustan & Eriksson, 2018). German-Americans is the highest populations
which occupy states of Texas, California. They are more densely populated in the Midwestern
states of Wisconsin, Lowa, California, and Nebraska. This is American famous German Belt.
The German-American group has had some influence in disciplines such as science, sports,
politics as well as architecture in their participation in the labor movement and the entertainment.
The German-Americans impacted the labor union membership in the American to improve the
working conditions and integrate further as a whole to the American society. Currently, the
immigrants of German descent have been assimilated fully and naturalized into the common
American culture (Baltzell, 2018). Presently, they celebrate largely Steuben Parade in the third
Saturday of September in New York, Oktoberfest in the Cincinnati and German-America day in
Milwaukee annually, to keep up to the ancestral ties (Baltzell, 2018). In this research, it will
explore German-American cultural group and various topics would be discussed to increase
knowledge of different cultures.
Values and beliefs
German-Americans culture stems from the values and beliefs of its people. The major values
which German-Americans posses are as follows; education, obtaining good schooling is vital to
the German cultures (Abramitzky, Boustan & Eriksson, 2018). These people have an intense
value to education, but reliability, social status in addition to the level of employment usually
depends on educational achievement (Benner, 2017). German-Americans take great pride when

GERMAN-AMERICANS 3
it comes to educational system, especially in the field of technology. Another value they possess
is that of punctuality (Donaldson, 2016). When it comes to business setting, German-Americans
take great pride in themselves on their punctuality (Benner, 2017). A lot of them on time are
merely simple issues, it is an obsession. When they are late to an appointment it disturbs their
sense of order which is considered to be offensive. Another value they possess is that of good
manners. Displaying politeness in addition to courtesy is ways of demonstrating respect
(Donaldson, 2016). More often than not boundaries usually are drawn via social distance, eye
contact, and facial miens. Different types of relationship usually necessitate various codes of
behavior. Failing to follow the protocols is widely seen as rude and could alienate those are
unaware of them.
The German-Americans have many cultural beliefs such as; crossing one's fingers means they
are lying. The German-Americans have different connotations to the crossing of fingers. In case
you make a promise to someone and you keep your fingers crossed it means that you do not
intend to keep the promise. Another belief is no eye contact while clinking glasses. Other beliefs
are that of religion. The dominant religion is Christianity with a population of seventy
identifying themselves as Christians.
Marital relationship
The marital relationship of the German-Americans has lasted longer since the rate of divorce
cases is low. Each German-American individuals who are involved in the relationship should
appear physically at the Standesamt for the civil ceremony. Being in relationship affords the
rights to the couples which civil partnership does not (Donaldson, 2016). Married couples enjoy
the benefit in the areas of health pension insurance, tenancy, and even pensions. When it comes

GERMAN-AMERICANS 4
to the tax relief the married couples usually receive some form of benefits with those in the civil
partnership do not (Donaldson, 2016).
Friendships
German-American culture usually aligns people with German and American traditions in
increasing friendships and comprehending together with cultural exchanges (Baltzell, 2018). The
German-American society offers cultural occasions for instance recitals, guest speakers along
with social events (Bungert, 2016). Several of the annual events are a picnic that is held in
August and Oktoberfest which is organized in September and it is hosted by the German-
American society all year round. Furthermore, the society offers Saturday language lessons ever
since 1964 that is definitely dedicated to spreading the German language along with culture
among the learners of any age (Zolfagharian, Azarpajooh & Tenger-Soydemir, 2015). In
addition, you will find German-American friendship outreach programs open to everyone built
with the aim of giving individuals opportunity to learn about Germany and understand their
culture alongside with the Germans and residents of the other nations (Kendall, 2017). This
functions as a bridge to get over ethnic variations and make new friends.
Perceptions/value of education
Education has been regarded as an important instrument to the social control and has been
recognized throughout the story of mankind. Access to quality education is crucial to the
German-American individuals. These individuals they have a deep respect when it comes to the
education, credibility, social status, as well as the levels of employment an individual, could
reach which usually depends on o the educational achievements. German-Americans have taken
pride in the educational system and more so in the field such as craftsmanship and technology.

GERMAN-AMERICANS 5
German-American places a lot of significance when it comes to schooling. As a functionality of
the states, the university level is achievable to many learners (Goldberg, 2016). The financial
status of the student does not have an effect when it comes to schooling since the public schools
are free of charge to the university level and there are scholarship opportunities to the bright but
less privileged students (Bungert, 2016). There is a great perception that is played in education in
the German-American cultural group as the education of the students start at the age of six and
when they reach to the fourth grade they are separated to the various schools.
The role of religion/spirituality
Majority of the German-American cultural group are Christian. However, twenty percent of
these populations do not belong to any religion at all. There is atheists group that make a percent
and those who keep their belief practice less and less (Nagata, Kim & Nguyen, 2015). There are
numerous Christians who tend not to think about the Sunday services any longer. Some of the
churches have forfeited moral authority and yet the influence on the Christianity prevails in their
socio-cultural heritage right down to the holiday calendar or even the crucifix which is shown in
various classrooms (Wimmer, 2015). Nonetheless, the region has played a major role in this
cultural group. One way is that religion has build bridges and it motivates individuals to take
action on behalf of the others and also for the sake of the environment (Greene, 2017). Many
have neglected this potential but religion has been able to accomplish. Another aspect is that
religion holds the potential for the justice, peace as well as the creation of the integrity. Through
religion, it is able to shape the German-Americans identity. It links individuals with one another,
across the cultures and nations, income groups along social backgrounds.
Health care practices and customs

GERMAN-AMERICANS 6
All cultures have their own systems of the health beliefs to describe on the cause of the illness,
treatment, and technique to which patients perceive education as having ethnic significance to
the information that is provided and the willingness to utilize it (Muste, 2016).
Customarily, German-Americans merely believe they are sick if the disease interferes with their
capability to work. Hence, they seek biomedical health care late in the illness. Whenever
German-American determines on the illness requires the doctors visit, the doctor is normally
someone they understand or even they have heard from a friend (Hofmann, 2015). The doctor is
somebody who is reliable (Hofmann, 2015). German-American people are very personal and
modest. The healthcare needs are taken to make sure that procedures which necessitate undress
are effectively explained. On the custom practice, they think that the supernatural ailment is
brought on by God which usually seems suddenly without any warning.
Immigration Experiences
German-American cultural group has encountered immigration experience which is bad to
experience as an immigrant (Doyle, 2015). These individuals had come to America for reason
such as religious persecution, and racial tension and the largest was for purpose of freedom. This
freedom to live where they wanted, own property and be part of the government (Bungert, 2016).
As an immigrant these individuals their land was taken away by the white people; their identity
was stolen and their culture was not allowed at the time (Doyle, 2015). It was extremely difficult
for coming over to American as they were to first to abroad the first boats which came ashore at
the Jamestown (Doyle, 2015). Individuals were pushed like animals and many became sea sick
(Sullivan, 2016). From one of the account there came descriptions of the unsanitary bathrooms.
Experiences with racism and discrimination

GERMAN-AMERICANS 7
In the USA there is no generally accepted definition of racism and discrimination. There are
various dimensions as well as manifestations of the racism and German-Americans have
encountered this issue (Bungert, 2016). It can be spontaneous or they can be organized. This
cultural group has encountered violent racist acts, racist remarks as well as discrimination in
everyday life (Fogleman, 2014). Unlike the previous period racism and discrimination, today has
been justified not with the biological aspect but rather by culture (Greene, 2017). There has been
the formation of the groups based on the various cultures, nations, as well as religious affiliation.
German-Americans have encountered racism and discrimination at every level in the society. At
the work, looking for an apartment on perhaps in the political matters (Greene, 2017). Other
areas where they have experienced racism and discrimination are in the identity checks by the
law enforcement. Racial profiling, where people are chosen for the police checks on the basis of
the external capabilities has been common and prevalent police practice in the USA.
Career development/ career choice experiences
German-Americans have ventured in various new perspectives not only in science and medicine
but also for the personal scientists in their future careers. This has been possible since the young
researchers decided to venture into the fascinating new fields. The studies covered in school
usually range from different areas. The learners usually decide on the course of their studies in
specializing in one given area, however, must decide in embarking on their course whether they
want to train in different subjects. Most of the German-American has a wide interest in
Technology and Craftsmanship careers. The universities which this group tends to hold a
tradition to the qualitative education, excelling infrastructure and curriculum. The degree they
attain is recognized internationally, which has offered them a good start to the international
career choices. This gives them an opportunity to give back to their home country, from

GERMAN-AMERICANS 8
experience and the knowledge they gain through working from one organization to another in the
USA.
Parental-child relationship
The relationship between parent and their child is crucial to German-American society since it
preserves the safety and simultaneously provides for the nurture of reliant people. With this
specific reason, this cultural group has presented parent-child relationship a special legal
contemplation (Zolfagharian, Azarpajooh & Tenger-Soydemir, 2015). Furthermore, the local,
state and federal governments they have become more involved with this relationship, especially
if the child was neglected or mistreated. Furthermore, it has also been discovered that the parent
functions have shifted over the time, and the regulation also has moved with these kinds of
changes. The legal rights that were earlier the sole province of the father have been shared with
the mother and in general, the law aims to treat the parents equally.
Conclusion
German-Americans cultural group is the American immigrants of German origin. This group has
accounted as the largest group of America who has German ancestry. In this research essay, it
has explored how this cultural group occupied America; various themes have also been
discussed. These themes topic have focused on German-Americans group. The interest to discuss
this cultural group was generated by desire to understand segment of immigrant society. The
research has been insightful and has increased knowledge of this cultural group and through the
research; many would be enlightened and enriched in understanding German-American as one of
numerous cultures.

GERMAN-AMERICANS 9
References
Abramitzky, R., Boustan, L., & Eriksson, K. (2018). Cultural Assimiliation During Two Ages of
Mass Migration.
Baltzell, E. D. (2018). Judgment and Sensibility: Religion and Stratification. Routledge.
Benner, B. (2017). Mit Pulver und Blei: Radical German-Americans and the Ideological
Struggle of the American Civil War (Doctoral dissertation, Pennsylvania State
University).
Bungert, H. (2016). The Singing Festivals of German Americans, 1849–1914. American Music,
34(2), 141-179.
Donaldson, R. P. (2016). A Peculiar Mixture: German-Language Cultures and Identities in
Eighteenth-Century North America.
Doyle, P. J. (2015). German Immigrants, Race, and Citizenship in the Civil War Era.
Fogleman, A. S. (2014). Hopeful Journeys: German Immigration, Settlement, and Political
Culture in Colonial America, 1717-1775. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Greene, J. (2017). RACE, IMMIGRATION, AND ETHNICITY. A Companion to the Gilded
Age and Progressive Era, 137-148.
Goldberg, M. (2016). Arts integration: Teaching subject matter through the arts in multicultural
settings. Routledge.
Hofmann, A. R. (2015). The American Turners: their past and present. Revista Brasileira de
Ciências do Esporte, 37(2), 119-127.
Kendall, J. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of American Immigration and Ethnicity. Reference
Reviews, 31(5), 14-16.
Muste, C. P. (2016). PSCI 348.01: Multicultural Politics in the United States.
Nagata, D. K., Kim, J. H., & Nguyen, T. U. (2015). Processing cultural trauma: Intergenerational
effects of the Japanese American incarceration. Journal of Social Issues, 71(2), 356-370.
Sullivan, E. P. (2016). " A Revolution in the Public Mind": American Anxiety and German-
Americans in New York State during the First World War. Past Tense: Graduate Review
of History, 4(1).
Wimmer, A. (2015). Race-centrism: a critique and a research agenda. Ethnic and Racial Studies,
38(13), 2186-2205.

GERMAN-AMERICANS 10
Zolfagharian, M., Azarpajooh, H., & Tenger-Soydemir, Y. (2015). Immigrant Consumers:
Ethnic Identity, Religiosity, Materialism. In Ideas in Marketing: Finding the New and
Polishing the Old (pp. 611-611). Springer, Cham.