The American idea that hard work was to be esteemed distinguishes us from Europeans who (1)_____ their gentlemen of leisure. For us, hard work (2)_____ idleness was the way (3)_____ distinction. Now, (4)_____, like many other traditional values, hard work is coming under (5)_____. In academic journals, conferences and classrooms, the idea of hard work is considered to be another of those notions that the dominant forces of our society (6)_____ on the rest of Us. It (7)_____ advances white-male interests (8)_____ any woman or minority foolish enough to buy into the dominant value system will find out. In a recent survey, high-school students in the United States and Japan were asked to (9)_____ factors that (10)_____ to success in the classroom. Of the Japanese, 72 percent listed hard work first (11)_____ only 27 percent of Americans agreed. Many factors contribute to the devaluing of hard work. Thinking that self-esteem is crucial, many parents and teachers (12)_____ to point out the student's failing, even laziness. To make matters (13)_____, Americans place an unusually high value on the idea of innate ability. And (14)_____ inevitably deemphasizes the role that hard work plays in success. (15)_____ if our students fail to see that hard work (16)_____, it is because we are telling them time and again, that it (17)_____. If we want young people to esteem hard work, it is UP to us to show them its worth, its strength and its significance in everyday life. And while we are at it, we should make sure they know there are many ideas to which we can all (18)_____. The notion that these values cannot (19)_____ class, race more than the idea of hard work. It can call into question (20)_____ there can be an American creed—a public philosophy for us all.