A Study of American Individualism: Taking Friends as an Exampl

Abstract

Friends are a famous American situation comedy since 1990s. It tells the story of six “common” youths living in New York of the United States including their emotion, career, joys and pains. Based on the study of Friends case, this article analyses the importance of American individualism to American culture, and tells us the reasons why individualism became the core of American culture. It also discusses the concrete embodiment of individualism value in American daily life from the life, career and feelings. This paper understands the importance of American individualism in American culture through current situations of American individualism. It helps us to understand deeply the impact and important significance on American culture which is caused by the American individualism. And helps us to better understand and look at the essence of American society and culture, understand the difference between USA and China. It also contributes a lot to promote cultural exchanges and common progresses between China and America and common progress.