OVERVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN IDENTITY AND THE INFLUENCE OF AMERICAN CULTURE
It is evident, that since the introduction of American culture in 1945, the Australian way of life has changed, in terms of entertainment and consumerist values. The growth of globalisation has led to the influence of pop culture worldwide, which is manifested through films, television, fast food, clothing and other consumer goods (Levin Institute, 2014). Concerns raised about Australia losing its national identity because of the outside influence of American culture is misleading, as American culture isn’t having an effect on Australian identity because people don’t absorb culture passively; rather, they engage in it through a process of cultural exchange (Reardon, 2012).The influence of American values in Australia has helped develop the national identity and culture of Australia as a whole. The lifestyles changes of consumerist values, such as supermarkets, the ‘Australian Dream’ and shopping centres, are a materialistic aspect to life, but are a key feature to the modern Australian way of life. Other entertainment industries, such as television and film, have also been heavily impacted by American culture, which has helped Australia to forge their own industries and develop imagery to project to an Australian audience that demonstrates uniquely Australian values, lifestyles and cultural choices. Each of these aspects influences the overall Australian identity and cultural mindset. The American influences, in the particular the areas of entertainment and consumerism, have evidently affected Australia in a positive way. The everyday life of Australian’s have evolved in terms of what they have access to watch, to eat or to buy, but the values of the nation as a whole have continued to be uniquely Australian. The worldwide phenomenon of globalisation has created an open global economy that is constantly evolving and driving social and cultural change, therefore forging a pathway to a new and forever-changing Australian identity (Hywood, 2003).