American Work Ethic

I chose to find a contemporary example that shows a vision of America surviving today of De Crevecoeur's ideals in reference to his view on the importance of hard work. In letters IV to VIII De Crevecoeur describes the Quaker people, society, the lifestyle in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, and highlights the importance of hard work in order to achieve what is his view of a wholesome lifestyle in America. It is evident that he values hard work in order to obtain a new and just lifestyle, and that a mans work must be his own;

"We are all animated with the spirit of an industry which is unfettered and unrestrained because each person works for himself." 

De Crevecoeur conveys that one would not be living appropriately in America if they were to have people do their work for them and then reap the benefits, which he implies is how work is administrated in Europe. He exemplifies this in letter IX when he writes of slavery,

"Day after day they drudge on without any prospect of ever reaping for themselves; they are obliged to devote their lives, their limbs, their will, and every vital exertion, to swell the wealth of masters, who look not upon them with half the kindness and affection with which they consider their dogs and horses."

De Crevecoeur's hard working ideals are still a fresh vision of America today as shown on the CNNMoney website that recently released an article on the worlds the hardest working countries. The United States placed seventh with an average annual hours of 1,798 and an average annual wages of $54,450. The article states that four out of five American employees work at lead 35 hours a week, and is the only developed nation not to guarantee workers vacation rights, paid sick leave or maternity leave. When reviewing this article it is clear that De Crevecoeur's ideal of a hard working country is still evident today in modern America as it was then.

Source: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/news/economy/2013/07/16/10-hardest-working-countries/7.html