Final answer:
U.S culture's focus on individual achievement encourages students to build self-awareness and self-esteem through education and societal values, differentiating it from collectivist cultures that prioritize group welfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
U.S culture emphasizes individual achievement so much, students are expected to develop self-awareness and self-esteem by enculturation and education in school settings. This stems from the value placed on individualism in American society, where independence and personal achievement are seen as paramount. In contrast to collectivist cultures, where group welfare is prioritized, American culture and educational institutions focus on fostering individual talents and abilities, believing that everyone has an equal chance at success, based on hard work and talent rather than on extrinsic factors like inherited wealth or societal values.
It is a common belief in the United States that people control their own social standing through their choices and efforts. Schools play a significant role in reinforcing this belief by promoting the idea that the highest rewards go to the "best" individuals, be it in academics or athletics, thus instilling the concept of personal excellence as a key to achievement.