Americans believe that individuals must learn to (36)
, on themselves or risk losing free- dom. This means (37)
both financial and (38) independence from their
parents as early as possible, usually by age 18 to 21 It means that Americans
(39) they should take care of themselves, (40)
their own problems, and stand on their own two feet.
This serf-reliance continues today as a basic American (41)
. This is perhaps one of the most difficult (42) of
the American character to understand, but it is (43)
important. Americans believe that they must be self-reliant in order
to keep their freedom. (44) , they may not be free to do
what they want. (45) . Even if they are not
truly self-reliant, most Americans believe they must at least appear to be so.
In order to be in the mainstream of American life--to have power and
respect--individual must be as seen as self-reliant. Although receiving
financial support from charity, family or the government is allowed, it is never
admired. Many people believe that (46) .