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There are many cultural differences between the United States and France. Some of these are simply social and others are cultural. The differences include different freedoms that have been given to French teens and not to Americans. Some of these include; drinking, driving, school, and many others that are not as obvious. Education in France is really different than in the US.
You need a high school degree for almost anything in France. Even some of the burger flipping jobs require a degree of some kind. Consequently education is taken very seriously and it is very difficult. Students in middle school will go to school six days a week, and it is not uncommon to stay until four or five in the evening.
They study all the time, and also many different subjects. They are required to take at least two foreign languages, some take even more. French students usually know what field they are going into by the time they leave middle school. This allows them to go into a more specific high school, and get classes that are more angled towards there future. In the US. It is very common for students to not really have an idea of what they are going to do as the receive their diploma at graduation.
Before a French student leaves middle school he has to take a very hard test, in the subjects of; French, math history and geography. They also have to take even a harder one to get out of high school. This test is called the Bac. They are first tested on French at the end of there eleventh grade and then the next year they have to take another which covers math, science, history geography, ECT... This test is very hard and it is done through out the country all on the same day.
The pass rate has risen in the last couple of years to 65 - 70 %. This percent to many is a little too high. They feel that the test should be a bit harder. In the United States there is a cultural, and maturity coming, this happens when you turn sixteen and you receive your driving license. This allows you to receive a lot of independence at a very young age.
Then you can participate in another piece of American culture, going out on dates. In France teens cannot get their license before the age of eighteen, they also have to go to a driving school. This is very expensive, getting your license in France can cost more than a thousand dollars. Not every family is willing to shell out that much, so many people wait till they are older. When a French teens get their licenses they are obligated by law to place a red A on the back of the automobile so that people know that they are new drivers. Also they are not allowed to drive as fast on the roads as the other more experienced drivers.
The concept of dating doesnt exist, in fact there isnt even a true word for a date. Instead French teens go out in groups. There are many things for the youth to do such as, one of the favorites is to go out to a caf and have a drink with some friends. Since the drinking age in France is sixteen or there about, many french teens go out with their friends for a drink.
Since the age isnt as exaggerated in France as it is here there is less of a hip about going out and getting drunk. It isnt as cool as it is here and consequently there isnt as much of a problem. There are many cultural differences between the two countries, some are on the surface, others take a little more exploration. Some of the differences include; driving, drinking and education.
Some of the differences are due to the culture and others due to priorities, and experience. Each culture has definite ups and downs.
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Research essay sample on Cultural Differences Between French And America
