Rednecks

Rednecks have come to be known as an indispensable and fiercely proud component of the American population. This courtesy of the rednecks of yesteryear, who through their hard work and independent attitudes, paved a gentler pathway for modern day Rednecks to walk today.

Viewed as a class of people with little sophistication and even less desire to develop any, they are strongly loyal to family and home, but mistrustful of governmental authority. They are best known for their outspoken and often times embarrassing, swearing, gambling, drinking, hard working and hell raising way of life. "Redneck" is a word that is spoken in both a derogatory tone of voice as well as one filled with a strong sense of personal pride.

A Little Redneck History 

It all started back in the 17th and 18th centuries with the arrival of a group of hardworking immigrants of Irish, Scottish and Welsh ancestry. These immigrants were country folk and distinctly recognizable by the red tanned skin on their face and neck areas acquired from the many hours they spent working outdoors to maintain their country homes. Hence the term "Redneck" which came to identify this new class of poor white American country folks.

Considered too "uncultured" to be absorbed into mainstream America they were encouraged to settle into areas such as the Appalachian mountain area where they could act as a human shield against the Indian Nations that also resided there. The newly arrived immigrants settled in and did whatever they felt was necessary to insure their survival. 

With the passing of time, the term "Redneck" came to represent not only these original immigrants, but all the poorer lower class white peoples of America. 

From hunting squirrels to running whiskey they made their mark in American history books. Although mistrustful of government bureaucracy, during the War of 1812, the Texas Revolution, the Civil War and the Mexican-American War, rednecks volunteered for duty at a much higher rate than other Americans.   This class of poor white country people had a very strong fighting spirit, and they showed it by fighting and dying, at much higher rates than their upper class American counterparts.

Over time color barriers faded away and red skin on a persons face and neck could no longer be used to identify a Redneck.  The defining characteristics for the term 'Redneck' now arising solely from the reputation of the person in question, the modern day Redneck can be from any race, sex, religion or class,  and are identified only by their distinctive attitude and lifestyle. 
The modern day Rednecks of course, still being best known for their outspoken and often times embarrassing, swearing, gambling, drinking, hard working and hell raising way of life.
 
An essential part of American history Rednecks have come to be known as an indispensable and fiercely proud component of the American population. This courtesy of the rednecks of yesteryear, who through their hard work and independent attitudes, paved a gentler pathway for modern day Rednecks to walk today.

SO EXACTLY WHAT GIFTS ARE SUITABLE FOR MODERN DAY REDNECKS? 

As rednecks tend to be outspoken in their view points, gifts that are one of a kind or very distinctive, tend to match a Redneck's unique personality.

Any gift that is capable of evoking a strong emotional reaction from the receiver, to a Redneck half of the enjoyment of the gift is in displaying  and discussing it with friends, relatives and acquaintances.

As rednecks are very family orientated, gifts that draw the family together, have sentimental value, symbolize ancestry, or that can be used at family gatherings are all excellent choices. Check out Redneck Gift Ideas for possible gift options for that favorite Redneck in your life.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck

http://www.squidoo.com/redneckgifts