3. VALUES AND SKILLS IMPORTANT TO SURVIVAL ON THE FRONTIEREMPHASIS ON SELF-RELIANCE AND HARDWORKPRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSPHYSICAL STRENGTH AND HEALTH WILLINGNESS TO EXPERIMENT, TAKE RISKS, AND BEING OPTIMISTIC

4. VALUES AND SKILLS IMPORTANT TO SURVIVAL ON THE FRONTIER

5. Emphasis on self- reliance and hard work; Practical knowledge and skills; Physical strength and good health; VALUES AND SKILLS IMPORTANT TO SURVIVAL ON THE FRONTIER

6. Willingness to experiment and improvise with new ways to do things; Optimistic belief in themselves and the future; and Willingness to take risks to build a better future. VALUES AND SKILLS IMPORTANT TO SURVIVAL ON THE FRONTIER

7. EMPHASIS ON SELF-RELIANCE AND HARDWORK

8. Being isolated required individuals and families to take care of themselves and survival depended on hard work. EMPHASIS ON SELF-RELIANCE AND HARDWORK

9. Hard work continues to be a strong American value. Americans work long hours, take short vacations, and believe that hard work should be rewarded. EMPHASIS ON SELF-RELIANCE AND HARDWORK

10. Self-reliance continues to be important. Young Americans want to be independent as soon as possible; all Americans value being able to take care of themselves and do not want to be dependent on others. EMPHASIS ON SELF-RELIANCE AND HARDWORK

11. Republicans believe that this means small and limited government; Democrats believe that the government should help those who cannot help themselves and that the government should help guarantee that everyone has an opportunity to succeed. EMPHASIS ON SELF-RELIANCE AND HARDWORK

12. PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

13. Survival on the frontier depended on individual knowledge and skills. However, growing wealth and the need for specialization in the work place has reduced the need for such knowledge and skills for survival. PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

14. Nevertheless, Americans continue to value practical knowledge and skills. This is reflected in the growth of hobbies, self- improvement programs, and the growth of evening classes and community colleges. PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

15. Political support is reflected by support for education at all levels. PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

16. PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND HEALTH

17. Without physical strength, endurance, and good health people on the frontier could not defend themselves and complete all the tasks needed for survival. PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND HEALTH

18. The emphasis on physical strength continues in the popular culture with our admiration of sports heroes and movie stars who portray these characteristics. PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND HEALTH

19. This value is reflected by the broad interest in participation in sports, exercise, and outdoor physical activities. PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND HEALTH

20. In President Obama’s new health care law there is an emphasis on prevention and wellness; Republicans oppose the law and are trying to repeal it. PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND HEALTH

21. WILLINGNESS TO EXPERIMENT, TAKE RISKS, AND BEING OPTIMISTIC

22. All of these characteristics were necessary to survive on the frontier and continue to be a part of the American culture. WILLINGNESS TO EXPERIMENT, TAKE RISKS, AND BEING OPTIMISTIC

23. The value of “getting it done” is reflected in the American interest in experimenting; if one approach does not work try something else. WILLINGNESS TO EXPERIMENT, TAKE RISKS, AND BEING OPTIMISTIC

24. President Kennedy defined space as “the last frontier” and challenged the U.S. in 1961 to go to the moon within 10 years. Americans were optimistic that it could be done. WILLINGNESS TO EXPERIMENT, TAKE RISKS, AND BEING OPTIMISTIC

25. Technology remains an exciting frontier. Americans always elect the candidate for President who shows the most optimism about the future. WILLINGNESS TO EXPERIMENT, TAKE RISKS, AND BEING OPTIMISTIC