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An Appalachian is "one who was born, or whose parents or grandparents were born, in one of the counties making up the Appalachian region." According to this definition, provided by the Urban Appalachian Council, Appalachians may consequently be white, Native American, Jewish, Amish, African American, Asian American or Latino. Be that as it may, author Elizabeth Sanders Delwiche writes, "...all definitions of Appalachia are partial, debated, and insufficient."[1]

Cultural traits and values[edit]

Appalachians tend to avoid confrontation, particularly when the confrontation would involve a family member or friend.[2] Because human relationships are deeply valued among many Appalachians, getting along well is favored over direct confrontation with others. This may result in the Appalachian individual politely agreeing with opinions they personally do not hold. The Appalachian people are generally a tolerant and accepting people, and their agreeable nature may be one reason confrontation politics seldom work in the region.[3] This agreeableness does not always extend itself to outsiders who exploit the region and its occupants.[4]
Appalachian culture is familial, with both family and community serving as the primary social unit.[5] "Personal and group identity are based primarily on the family."[6] Family loyalty extends far beyond the nuclear family to blood relatives and in-laws. Kin are responsible for one another, helping each other in times of strife.[5] Families in Appalachia are generally identified in terms of their community, and kin often live in close proximity to one another. Because loyalty runs deep, kin may offer other relatives moral, emotional, and financial support in times of need. There is evidence to suggest urban Appalachians may have a more mainstream American concept of family. That is, family may be understood to be limited to one's nuclear family unit.[7]
Appalachians tend to have an orientation to time that is based in the here and now, combined with a fatalistic view of the future. Religion in the region is traditionally fundamentalist Protestantism, which stresses rewards in the afterlife when times are hard in this one.[8] A general belief that everything will work out for the best on its own pervades.[9]
When facing sickness, be it physical or mental, Appalachians tend to not seek out avenues of care traditionally utilized by mainstream Americans. They are most likely to seek out informal support for problems, and an avoidance of agencies and institutions is common. Help is typically sought first within the family. Mental health issues are frequently viewed within either a religious or spiritual context, and therefore a religious-based healing is often sought out first.[10] Professional treatment is commonly only sought out when the situation has become critical. There is also a tendency to somatize one's problems (meaning an individual may report physical symptoms when the underlying issue is emotional or psychological). A commonly reported physical symptom reported is that of "nerves."[11]
Boasting or bragging, particularly for personal gain, is seen as the individual "getting above" his or her raising.[5] Personal successes can be seen as the individual showing how they are better than their family and community.[9] Being realistic about one's own limitations, and being yourself, are common traits valued by many Appalachians.[5]
A person's social status is based on "being rather than doing" and who a person is related to.[12] Individual's are judged on a personal basis, with little or no regard for titles and credentials. Children are taught from a young age that everyone is equal and that no person is better than another.[3]
Appalachians tend to have an abiding love for their place of birth and an deep sense of pride in their Appalachian heritage. Individuals who leave the area often return as much as possible, and those who do leave often report feeling guilty or melancholy for doing so.[13] One of the first questions a person is asked when meeting an Appalachian for the first time is, "Where are you from?"[3]

Education[edit]

In Appalachia an individual's education may be abandoned if the needs of the family demand it, and children may be kept at home when needed.[14] Parents of Appalachian schoolchildren may not be enthusiastic about career training programs that might impact whether or not their child will remain in the Appalachian region for life.[15] Appalachians are frequently marginalized in the education system of the United States.[16] Academic success is frequently achieved only once a student has assumed a "middle-class school identity," an identity which is often at odds with their own culture. Classrooms that have teachers that push hard and demand a lot out of students are associated with higher success rates in Appalachia.[15]

High numbers of Appalachian youths feel disconnected to school and eventually drop out. In fact, in some cities Appalachians experience a much higher dropout rate than other racial and/or ethnic groups.

Music[edit]

Religion[edit]

Often referred to as "mountain religion,"


Stereotypes[edit]

Appalachians are labeled as passive, clannish people that are complicit in the backwoods of the mountains. They're suspicious of government and big industry. I say, why not? We have for centuries been abused, used, oppressed, but our concerns are seldom addressed by the powers that be. I find Appalachians are also passionate, hard-working, courageous people with a deep love of family and their land. These family-oriented people have become frustrated with the total disrespect we receive from the nation we have lived, fought, and many times died for. Oh, did I mention Appalachians are also terrific fighters, stubborn, and determined people? My people do not back off when we have took all the abuse we can stand. That's where you find most of us now, on the front line of a war for the salvation of Appalachian culture, and we will not back off, we will not compromise, but we will continue to speak about the tremendous destruction of our land and the way of life we hold so dear.[4]

Ozarks or Appalachia

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Delwiche, 13
  2. ^ Bennett and Ames, 140
  3. ^ a b c Cromwell, 62
  4. ^ a b Loeb, 67
  5. ^ a b c d Harper-Dorton and Lantz, 140
  6. ^ Looff, 28
  7. ^ Looff, 28-29
  8. ^ Harper-Dorton and Lantz, 139
  9. ^ a b Frankenfeld
  10. ^ Looff, 9
  11. ^ Looff, 215
  12. ^ Tang and Russ
  13. ^ Keefe, 330
  14. ^ Wagner
  15. ^ a b Sisson, Zacher and Cayton, 855
  16. ^ Wagner

References[edit]

  • Bennett, Linda A.; Ames, Genevieve M. (1985), The American Experience with Alcohol: Contrasting Cultural Perspectives, New York, New York: Plenum Press, ISBN 0306419459, OCLC 12079551
  • Frankenfeld, Mary (July–Agust 2003). "Isolated and exploited, Appalachia is rich in history". Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • Tang, Mei (September 2007). "Understanding and Facilitating Career Development of People of Appalachian Culture". The Career Development Quarterly (56). doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2007.tb00018.x. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Wagner, Thomas E. (1977). "Urban Schools and Appalachian Children". Urban Education. XII (3).
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