Susan Sontag suggests that there is a significant gap between the ideals that American society promotes, such as family values and traditions, and the actual experiences of individuals. Despite the frequent celebration of these cultural themes by politicians and public figures, the reality is that American culture often undermines family life and traditional values. Instead, it fosters a focus on individual identities that align with broader themes of distinctiveness and innovation.

This contradiction highlights how the rhetoric surrounding family and tradition is often superficial, as the forces at play in contemporary society may erode the very foundations they claim to cherish. As lifestyles shift toward embracing diversity and change, the traditional structures once deemed essential are being redefined or neglected altogether, indicating a profound transformation in what it means to belong and to maintain familial connections.