@DarlingRhadamanthus As you will, doubtless, have noted, you and I have moved into a sub-category discussion in regard to American rituals, as opposed to merely Western cultural rituals, and having done so it behooves us to be a trifle more specific in our use of terms. So: I believe that the term American, used in a cultural context, should be self explanatory. As there is multi-culturalism inherent in your response, as well as stated in it, we aren’t using the term “america” in the same context. For you, it seems, from your statements, there isn’t an “American Culture” distinct from the social acretiions of the various groups who have migrated without adopting the cultural tenets of the philosophy that the nation (as opposed to the nation-state) was founded on and are the basis of the culture that was to be America. World of difference, as I’m sure you will agree, between a society and a culture. A society connotes the mere association of individuals and groups for limited purposes and is distinct from a culture on many grounds. Rituals may be enacted within either context but social rituals haven’t, I’m given to understand, the same weight as cultural rituals. Do, please, correct me if you find me to have misunderstood you.
As to your cited examples of familial interaction with the founding – I share such ancestors and my family has been on the continent since before the 1700’s. I would submit to you that that has very little to do with the acceptance of the Culture of America. In mho, there are Americans who have never set foot on the soil of the continent and many who call themselves American who have no idea what that entails. Citizenship plays no part in it, only belief in the principles which distinguish it from any and all other cultures.
That culture has more to do with acceptance and endorsement of the principles of the founding. But I do not wish to digress and so wont.
The rituals you cite are quite common and are not, as you so state, peculiar to America. I agree. However, I would still ask: What rituals are,l and within the context of the sub-category you have chosen to speak of, peculiar to making one a member of the American culture not just the American society? A ritual practiced in a locale doesn’t make the ritual peculiar to the locale or an induction into the culture of the locale.
Has the above made any clearer to you the sub-set of rituals you and I have begun to discuss? I hope so. Perhaps you will , now, be able to see, perhaps respond to, the heart of our sub-set. I look forward to your reply.