you’ll need to write a 5-paragraph essay that discusses any of the controversial issue of individualism and defend it in your essay. (Think argumentative essay!). Reference to the following paragraph:

Americans generally believe that people should strive to be autonomous and self-reliant. Most Americans see themselves as separate individuals, more than members of a nation, family or community. They dislike being dependent on other people or having others dependent on them. Some people from other countries view this attitude as “self-centeredness;” others may view it as a healthy freedom from constraints imposed by family, clan, or social class. Members of a traditional society are more likely to regard their role in life as unavoidable and seldom to be questioned or changed. Social and cultural factors may be viewed simply as barriers that need to be overcome in order for them to get ahead. A result of this attitude is the competitiveness of American life. Achievement is a dominant motivation in American culture.