Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life

Throughout American history, the ideal of self-reliance has progressively detached the self from its social and cultural contexts. This self-reliance, rooted in American traditions from Puritan to republican and articulated most famously by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the 19th century, has evolved to focus more and more on individualism, especially under the influences of utilitarian and expressive individualism.

Many Americans express a strong orientation towards self-reliance, viewing economic independence as a foundational aspect of their identity. The importance of work in self-identity reinforces this orientation. However, the main significance of work varies: Americans see it as a means to economic success, a pathway in a career signifying progress and social standing, or, in its noblest form, a calling that integrates the individual’s work with a broader community and moral purpose.

The transition to adulthood in American culture typically involves leaving home and, symbolically, leaving the church, highlighting a journey toward individual autonomy. Leaving home is seen not just as a physical departure but as a journey towards economic and personal independence. Likewise, leaving the church does not necessarily mean abandoning religious institutions but represents the expectation of personal spiritual autonomy, wherein one’s religious beliefs are a choice rather than an inheritance.