Years ago, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. In recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression, unemployment and interest rates have skyrocketed. The “American Dream” is an idea that was once a commonly accepted ideology in this country. It has since become only a fallacy. The “American Dream” is no longer an attainable idea, only a fantasy. The “American Dream” is not a true dream that will ever be equally attainable by everyone. The American dream is the general belief that American Citizens all have an equal opportunity to succeed socially and economically, regardless of any predating circumstances. This idea has been accepted as possible by the majority of citizens in this country. This “dream” cannot be true, as there are multiple discriminations in this country, which make it impossible for everyone to have the same chance to succeed. Biases against racial minorities, women, and citizens from lower social classes are examples of just a few reasons that everyone does not have the same chance to succeed in our current economic and social system in America, resulting in unequal chances to achieve “the American Dream.” One major factor that decides how successful someone will be is determined by race. Although by law, discrimination due to race is illegal, this does not completely deter racial discrimination. This is especially true concerning the American dream, as it proves the chance for success is not the same for everyone. Studs Turkel records Stephen Cruz’s oral retelling of his story of discrimination. Stephen Cruz is a Mexican-American who is discriminated against due to that fact. Although he does receive a well paying job, he knows he only received t... ... middle of paper ... ...xts for Critical Thinking and Writing. 8th Edition. Ed. Gary Columbo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2010. 304-319. Print. Rather, Dan. The American Dream: Stories from the Heart of a Nation. New York: Harper Collins, 2002. Print. Stoops, Nicole. “Education Attainment in the United States: 2003.” Current Population Reports. U.S. Census Bureau. Economics and Statistics Administration. U.S. Department of Commerce, June 2004. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. Terkel, Studs. “Stephen Cruz.” Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. 8th Edition. Ed. Gary Columbo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2010. 366-71. Print. United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Public Information Office. Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010. 13 Sept. 2011. 20 Oct. 2011.
The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold? written by Brandon King discusses what the American Dream is, how it has evolved, and how to live it to the fullest. He writes that the American Dream in the past meant to live a wealthy, materialistic life, however the American Dream today is to live in stability. The American Dream also has the potential to be viewed from multiple perspectives as everyone is different and have their own opinion as to how live the American Dream. King also addresses that inequality is the main problem according to many; the government is only making the rich minority wealthier, ignoring funds for the lowers classes. The American Dream will never die as long as planning ahead and proposing policies to sustain economic growth are tirelessly acted upon.
The American Dream has always been a driving force in the lives of Americans. It has become a foundation of ideals and hopes for any American or immigrant. Specifically, one of the ideals that always exist is the dream of America free of class distinction. Every American hopes for a society where every person has the opportunity to be whomever he or she desire. Another ideal in the American dream is the drive to improve the quality of life. As one’s idea of the American Dream gets closer and closer, often times political and social ideals of America cause their American Dream to take a turn for the worst.
The American Dream is something that anyone no matter their background, social standings, or ethnicity can improve their life through hard work.
The American Dream provides Americans hope that if they work hard, they will eventually be successful, no matter how penniless the person. To understand the construction of this topic, there is a need to understand the circumstances involved. The Epic of America, The narrative in which the American Dream was constructed, was produced in the nineteen thirties. During this time, the Great Depression was at the height of destruction, and the new president Franklin D. Roosevelt created the “New Deal,” which inspired newly-found hope. In his Second Inaugural Address, he voiced his vision for the expanded role that the government would take in American's lives by stating, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little” (Franklin D. Roosevelt). This began the facade of hope towards the impoverished folks attempting to achieve success. In reality the optimism and dedication given towards this dream is disproportional...
The American Dream was derived from the United States Declaration of Independence which states that, “All mean are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (US 1776). This means that every person has equal opportunity
There are various individuals throughout the world who believe that the American Dream cannot be achieved by all people. Those who agree with this view believe that our culture contains too many roadblocks and obstacles. Some of these obstacles include prejudice, poverty, and social inequality. Another view on this matter is that others believe that America is the “Land of Opportunity”. They also believe that if you can believe it, you can achieve it. Back in the early 20th century, The American Dream meant something to people; nowadays it is a term that various people loosely throw around. The American Dream is not realistic because it is not attainable to everyone like Cal Thomas presumes and although education, budget cuts and lack of employment may seem of some concern to only a small group of people, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about the status of the economy.
The American Dream is known to be a hope for a better, richer, happier life for all citizens of every class. For almost all Americans, this entails earning a college degree, gaining a good job, buying a house, and starting a family. Although this seems wonderful, a large amount of the American population believes that the Dream has changed immensely because of increased prices in today’s society, the price of tuition being highly unaffordable, as well as the unemployment rate skyrocketing and weaker job growth. While some American citizens believe it has changed, others believe that the American Dream has not changed, but point out it is harder to obtain.
The American Dream has changed; it is no longer the same as it was fifty or even one hundred years ago. Today, people not only search for prosperity and wealth, but they also search for happiness, equality, and determination. The American Dream is for everyone, not just the rich. The term “The American Dream” is a term used to describe the American way of life in general. It is a noun stating “the idea that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Dreams are not limited to just one social class, everyone has a different version of the American Dream but they all work together in a community to create an organized, working society. A dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or idea that is open to anyone.
The American Dream is so important to our country and especially for our generation to take seriously. The American Dream is the opportunity to reach the goals one sets for themselves. It is about having your dream job and life you have always fantasized about. The dream is also about having freedom and equality. The American Dream was much easier to attain a few decades ago compared to today. However, it is still possible. The economy was better fifty years ago than it is today. People are in greater debt now and the United States is in higher debt than it was fifty years ago. The American Dream is still possible despite the lack of improvement within social mobility in American society over the past years. The American dream is achievable by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and that lifestyle is obtainable through hard work and perseverance, even in light of obstacles such as racism. “The American Dream is still achievable, however, the good news is that people at the bottom are just as likely to move up the income ladder today as they were 50 years ago” (O’Brien 1). The ability to attain the American Dream is hindered by race, the middle class, and giving up facing adversity.
The American Dream, what does it mean? Does it mean wealth, education, a brand new start? Will it have opportunities for all? As James Truslow Adams said in 1931, “Life should be better for richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” The American Dream is routed in the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming “all men are created equal” with the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” America does not provide the American Dream to the “tired, the poor, and the huddled masses” due to the unequal opportunities and the treatment of the lower class compared to the upper class.
There is a sagacity in our states that the American Dream is not what it originally used to be. Study has revealed that it’s quite hard for juvenile or youths Americans originating from poor households to move to middle life status. Thus, many American citizens believe that the decline in economy mobility is leading to an increment or rise in income inequality. Income inequality has revealed a huge impact towards achieving the American dream; the rich keep getting rich while the poor get poorer (Clough, pg 15). Initially, the American dream was a realization towards the economic problem solution but frankly all this has changed. We can say there is such thing as the American Dream still existing. In my essay, I will illustrate more on the American
"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven 't had the advantages that you 've had” (Fitzgerald 3). Many people are born into situations that statistics say are bad for being able to achieve the American dream. Nick reveals this very early on in The Great Gatsby with this thought-provoking quote. Not all people are born with the same advantages as others. There are many factors--including race, poverty, and a lack of education--that have held people back from attaining their goals in this great country. Despite the perception that Americans can move from rags to riches to live the American Dream, the trials and obstacles that underserved and minorities have to overcome reveals
The American Dream is a dream that no matter what race you or what social class you are born in you are still able to achieve it no matter what. Many believe that the American Dream doesn't exist and that you cannot achieve the American Dream, however they are wrong. America provides access to the American Dream because people who make sacrifices are able to become successful, people are able to become closer to God, and people are able to get a better education.
With America actually being seen as the land of assurance, the American dream is usually associated with the freedom and opportunity of gaining prosperity, recognition, power, triumph, and contentment. On the surface, this dream appears virtually delighted, offering individuals the exceptional hope of accomplishing success despite of one’s race, religion, or family history. The American Dream is accurately what it seems to be the chance of perfect lying nearby the corner. However, the actual nature of this dream prohibit the pleasure of the victory one has earned, as the desire is always demanding one to work a slight harder and gain a slightly more.
One reason the American dream is still deferred is because many undocumented people have limited living standards. Most undocumented people have dreams like everyone else. The only difference is that undocumented people limit their dreams. For many undocumented people "honesty, hard work and strong determination” (Freeman, 21) will not make the American dream available to them. Since not all jobs are available to undocumented people, they have jobs with low pay.