10 American practices considered freedom but others disagree
What Americans proudly label as freedom often looks, from the outside, like a costly set of trade-offs that few other countries are willing to make.
Watching the United States from the outside feels like watching a blockbuster movie where the plot twists keep you guessing. While the spirit of liberty is contagious, some versions of it leave the rest of the world scratching our heads in confusion. Concepts that locals defend as essential rights often look like unnecessary burdens or strange paradoxes to those of us looking in from across the ocean.
We see a nation that champions individual choice above all else, yet that very choice often limits the collective good in ways that feel restrictive rather than liberating. From how you pay for doctors to the way you get to work, the American definition of freedom is distinct and occasionally baffling. Here are ten practices that are celebrated as liberties in the States but spark intense debate and disagreement everywhere else.
Employment Without A Contract
The concept of at-will employment is marketed as providing flexibility for both the employer and the employee. You can quit whenever you want, but your employer can also show you the door for no reason at all. This lack of security creates a precarious existence in which a livelihood can vanish instantly without the cushion of a notice period.
In many other countries, contracts protect workers from sudden dismissal and provide stability for families. Job security feels like a luxury in the States rather than a standard right, making it hard to plan for the future. The freedom to be fired on a whim is one liberty most of us are happy to live without.
The Right To Bear Arms Everywhere
To an outsider, the sight of civilians carrying firearms in coffee shops or grocery stores is jarring and fundamentally frightening. While many Americans view gun ownership as the ultimate safeguard against tyranny, much of the world sees it as a source of constant danger. It creates an atmosphere in which personal safety is privatized rather than guaranteed by the state.
The numbers paint a stark picture that is hard for non-Americans to comprehend or accept as normal. According to the Pew Research Center, about thirty-two percent of U.S. adults say they personally own a gun. That level of weapon proliferation makes the daily walk to the store feel like a high-stakes gamble to visitors.
Choosing Your Own Doctor And Plan
The American healthcare system is often praised for offering choices, but the complexity is a massive headache for anyone used to universal care. You have the liberty to pick a provider, but the price tag attached to that choice is often terrifying enough to keep you home. The freedom to choose an insurance plan feels less like a privilege and more like a confusing administrative chore.
The cost of maintaining this market-based freedom is astronomically higher than in any other place on the planet. Data from the Commonwealth Fund indicate that the U.S. spent nearly 17.8% of its GDP on healthcare in 2021, roughly double that of other developed nations. We wonder if the freedom to choose is worth the risk of bankruptcy.
Tipping For Almost Everything
Leaving a gratuity is seen as a way to reward good service and exercise your power as a consumer. However, this practice shifts the responsibility for paying a living wage from the employer to the customer. It creates an awkward dynamic where a server’s livelihood depends on the generosity of strangers rather than a steady paycheck.
This custom is becoming exhausting even for locals who are used to adding twenty percent to every bill. A Bankrate survey found that 63% of U.S. adults hold a negative view of tipping. Whatever freedom exists in deciding how much to tip is overshadowed by the guilt and pressure of the transaction.
Driving Everywhere You Need To Go
The open road is a classic symbol of American independence and the ability to go anywhere at any time. Yet, being unable to walk to a shop or take a train to work feels like a strange form of captivity. Reliance on a car for every single task turns driving from a joy into a mandatory and expensive burden.
The statistics on commuting habits reveal how isolated this mode of transport is. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 68.7% of workers drove alone to their jobs in 2022. Public transport is often unavailable, leaving people trapped if they cannot afford a vehicle.
The Hustle And Grind Mindset
Americans work incredibly hard, and there is a sense of pride in long hours that confuses my European friends. There is a cultural belief that you are free to earn as much as you want if you hustle enough. However, this often leads to burnout and a life where work leaves no room for actual living.
The lack of mandated time off is a shock to anyone coming from a country with guaranteed holidays. The United States is the only advanced economy in the OECD that does not guarantee paid annual leave for its workers. Burnout appears to be a feature of the system rather than a bug.
Absolute Freedom Of Speech
You can say almost anything here without legal repercussions, which is a powerful and rare liberty. While liberating, it protects hate speech and verbal abuse that would be illegal in many other democracies. This absolute approach often prioritizes the right to speak over others’ right to feel safe and respected in public spaces.
It is a double-edged sword that creates a very loud and often hostile public square. Protecting every voice usually means amplifying the most harmful ones in the room, drowning out reasonable debate. Many observers argue that speech without responsibility is just noise.
Filing Your Own Taxes
The government knows what you earned and likely knows what you owe, yet they require you to do the calculations yourself. It is a strange freedom to be responsible for complex calculations that could land you in trouble if you get them wrong. In many jurisdictions, the tax authority issues a bill or refund, and the process is completed in minutes.
The existence of a large industry dedicated to tax preparation complicates this system. This annual ritual is a headache that many other countries solved years ago, saving their citizens time and stress. The liberty to file is really just the liberty to make a mistake.
The High Cost Of Higher Education
Universities in the States are beautiful, massive, and incredibly well-equipped with amenities. But the price tag attached to a degree can cripple young adults for decades before they even start their careers. The freedom to choose a top-tier school is often reserved for the wealthy or those willing to take on massive loans.
The scale of the financial burden placed on students is staggering and affects the entire economy. The Education Data Initiative indicates that total U.S. student loan debt has reached $1.814 trillion. Starting adult life in the red is a heavy burden to carry.
Homeowners Association Rules
You buy a house to own your land and live exactly how you please. Then a board of neighbors tells you exactly what color you can paint your front door and how high your grass can be. It is a paradox of ownership in which you pay for the property but surrender control to a local committee.
These associations are meant to protect property values, but they often feel like petty dictatorships. You possess the property, but you surrender your actual freedom to the neighborhood watch. It is the most specific irony of American housing liberty.
15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
Love is a complex, beautiful emotion that inspires profound behaviors. We express our love in various ways, some universal and others unique to each individual. Among these expressions, there are specific actions women often reserve for the men they deeply love.
This piece explores 15 unique gestures women make when they’re in love. From tiny, almost invisible actions to grand declarations, each tells a story of deep affection and unwavering commitment.
