Wikipedia’s definition of the AWOL “The American way of life is an expression that refers to the "life style" of people living in the United States of America. It is an example of a behavioral modality, developed from the 17th century until today.” The AWOL can be interpreted in many different ways. When first asked what the AWOL is I never thought about it before or what I meant to my life style. Going around and asking people on the streets and some family members what the AWOL meant to them opened up my eyes. According to my data lots of people think differently when I asked what they thought the AWOL is, there was never one same answer. “The AWOL is so different and can be classified in different ways that you can’t have a typical AWOL.” –Katie Abdul I agree because I got such a variety of answer.

Several of the answers I got from asking what the AWOL is related to having to work to support your family. For instance when I spoke to interviewee #4 and my father the answers were the same. Both people expressed that working to support your family was a hassle. Interviewee #4 seemed to say that working everyday made where is his comfortable. Wile on the other hand my father replied “the AWOL … get up to go to work, to make a better life for your family. Aim for a piece of the pie.” Unlike interviewee #4 my father seemed to be trying to aim for more than just stay where he is. I wasn’t so sure how this related to the AWOL but I’m guessing that work became such a big part of their life that their AWOL got warped around work. This relates to another thing that people mentioned about the AWOL and that is opportunity.

(Cartoon of man stressing over work)

When I interviewed Tim and George they both related the AWOL to having opportunity. Lots of people mentioned opportunity but they really had a lot to say. Even though both of them had the same topic they managed to be different. Tim a teacher said that America and opportunity go hand in hand. He also said a positive thing about the AWOL is that “people can change their situation; people can take advantage of opportunity.” Like him George had a similar but somewhat different. He is a working college student so his views are different. George said “AWOL is to take advantage of opportunity it helps your life style and makes you happy. Americans don’t take advantage of opportunity. Minorities and immigrants take advantage of that opportunity.” The difference in the answers is that Tim said Americans can take advantage of opportunity and George said that Americans should take advantage of opportunity but they don’t. Both answers make sense from there different points of view.

(Man taking opportunity of what America offers him)

Whether the American Way Of Life is Working hard or taking advantage of the opportunities given to you there are many different ways that one person can classify the AWOL. The people around me on the streets and in my family all have different view of the AWOL.