1. French and American Realities
French Society
French and American Realities

2. Structure of French society differs from U.S.
origins and history
role of the state
judicial systems
Importance given to the other cultures
Diverging and opposing worldviews
Let’s discuss the societal characteristics that divide these two worldviews…

3. Multicultural or Monocultural
France welcomes foreigners if they will assimilate to French culture
Modèle républicain= French universalist attitude that requires that EVERYONE is treated exactly the same
U.S. has history of assimilationist thinking— ”melting pot”
Currently, U.S. values pluralism and promotes diversity--”stew pot” or “salad bowl”
Multicultural or Monocultural

4. Assimilation into French culture
French language and French educational system are two main vehicles of assimilation
Beurs – French-born children of North Africans who migrated to France after WWII
Torn between Muslim family culture and French social pressure to assimilate
Islamic headscarf conflict in schools –France’s difficulty in dealing with nonassimilated cultural practices
Assimilation into French culture

5. Universalism, Egalitarianism and the Principle of Differentiation
Universalism= a republican value that informs the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
French call this the social protection system, labor laws and other important areas of social life
The government enacts laws that give each individual access to the same rights and privileges.
Universalism, Egalitarianism and the Principle of Differentiation

6. French do differentiate with social origin, even while cherishing egalitarian principles
Social origin affects options for education, career choice, and advancement
Power and authority remains with the aristocrats
In social settings and in the workplace, relationships between superior and subordinates are clearly established and respected.
Class distinctions

7. Justice American law is based on English common law
Magna Carta in 1215
common sense of the community as determined by our ancestors.
Depends on tradition and precedent for legal decisions, normally made by a jury of lay people
Judgment is inferred, and compared with similar cases from the past
Justice

8. Justice French law is based on Roman law
Established by the Napoleonic Code, adopted in 1804
Roman law + ideals of the French Revolution
Individual liberty, equality before the law, separation of church and state
Legal judgment is determined by trained judges not a jury; cases compared with written and codified law
Justice

9. What are the four areas of difference?
Read pages 155 – 156 and write down (in your own words) the four main areas of difference between the U.S. an French justice systems.
Take 5 minutes to do this and then share with the class
Choose from the following, read and share:
The Outreau Affair. Pp
A Cockeyed Optimist. Pp
La Délation—Turning In or Reporting Someone, pp
What are the four areas of difference?

10. Perfection The Ideal compared with the Real
Norman Rockwell--American ideals are reflected in his paintings of the ideal man, woman, child, family, community
American beliefs that anyone can achieve anything with enough hard work and determination
Practice makes perfect; If you believe and you can conceive, you will achieve –no equivalent in French language or culture
Perfection

11. Perfection American thinking –dualistic and absolutist
Perfection is an absolute
Traditionally, things are seen as black or white, good or bad, right or wrong, success or a failure
Means—if things go wrong in seeking the ideal, the whole thing becomes a failure
Child not reaching developmental milestones on time!!
Americans feel personally deficient if unable to reach ideal
Perfection

12. Perfection à la française
C’est comme Ça; La Perfection N’est Pas de ce Monde (That’s the Way it is; Perfection Exists Only in Heaven)
Ideal is a goal to aim for, but cannot be achieved
Do your best, achieve what you’re capable of, not great distress or disappointment if failure
Perfect grade 20/20 exists in theory, but not in reality
Perfection à la française

13. Perfection à la française
Not reaching the ideal is normal, acceptable. Does not mean total failure.
Fate plays a part. Other people are involved; forces beyond our control
Expression of resignation common; C’est comme ça, hein?
Discuss wedding day expectations. Pp
Perfection à la française

14. Further characteristics of French Society
Choose from the following and lead discussion in class:
French attitudes towards sex, pp
French attitudes towards money, pp
Authority in crisis in French society, pp
Trust and Distrust, pp
Further characteristics of French Society

15. 1. Describe the French Societal model of Assimilation vs. the U. S
1. Describe the French Societal model of Assimilation vs. the U.S. Societal model of Valuing Diversity and Pluralism
2. Discuss American affirmative action laws and differentiation (granting different rights and privileges for cultural or historical reasons on basis of past oppression or discrimination and why the French would not allow this in their society.
Questions

16. 3. How do the French differentiate in terms of social origin and how does this affect their society. How could an American company in France overcome this barrier?
4. What are four areas of difference between U.S. an French justice systems. Does “guilty until proven innocent” hold in French society?
5. How do Americans and French view perfection differently?
Questions