Freedom in the United States

Freedom in the United States

Freedom means being able to be completely, one hundred percent yourself without fear that someone will judge or try to stop you.  Today, in the United States, the people are partially free.  People are encouraged to express themselves.  Freedom is often advertised in America.  We label ourselves as the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”  While the United States is somewhat free, we have laws and guidelines that may prevent people from being true to themselves.  For example, gay marriage is not legal in every state.  The laws in our country are necessary.  They help to maintain order and peace.  Even with laws in place, the United States stills reigns supreme as being one of the freest countries. 

“At age sixteen, we had to choose one of three academic dreams: science, commerce, or the humanities” (Zakaria 23).  This quote is from Fareed Zakaria’s In Defense of a Liberal Education.  Here, he is demonstrating how the education system worked in India.  In America, students have the freedom to choose from an extensive variety of majors.  According to Zakaria; in India, they are only given three options.  They are forced to choose a career cluster at a young age.  Paul Krugman believes that education is partly responsible for America’s success and freedom.  He says, “If you had to explain America’s economic success with one word, that word would be ‘education’” (Krugman 122).

Some Americans take their country’s freedom for granted.  They argue that United States is not free enough.  They believe that the country’s unfairness is creeping into their careers.  Gary Gutting says, “Fair treatment for writers and artists is an even more difficult matter, which will ultimately require a major change in how we think about support for the arts” (Gutting 125).  He thinks that certain jobs are given more attention than others.

The United States gives a great deal of freedom to its people.  The country aims to please its citizens and tries to give them as much leeway as possible.  There are laws in place, but these guidelines help to maintain order and safety.  Some American citizens argue that America is not free.  Although the United States cannot grant total freedom to its people, it gives a lot more than other countries.