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Equal opportunity in America essay
Equal opportunity in America essay
The American dream of equality
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Response Paper : "The American Dream Is Leaving America" Nicholas Kristof, writer of "The American Dream Is Leaving America" asserts his belief that our once great nation which produced some of the greatest scholars, and some of the most revolutionary ideas and documents has begun a slow decline into mediocrity where our educations are concerned. According to Kristof, this downward spiral is a result of the growing gap between social classes. Upper class citizens are able to afford better schooling for their children. While lower class citizens have a harder time baring such expenses. Therefore their children are usually unable to gain higher education. Our nations mission for equal opportunity is gone. The real victims of our social inadequacy …show more content…
I have students, based on their home environment, who walk through my door everyday knowing that without an education they would have nothing. It breaks my heart but knowing that I have made a difference in their life is a reward in itself." Students need teachers like Tamara, and many others, to keep this dream alive. On the other hand, successful contractor, Joe Mitchell, argues, "No, I do not think an education is necessary. I never went to college and I turned out just fine. I now own my own business where I am my own boss which allows me time to do the things I love." Joe is a good example of someone who didn 't need a college education to earn a career, but sadly enough, that isn 't the case for …show more content…
We are told our entire lives that we must go to college to get an education so we can grow up and be able to afford everything we need in life. Only the rich, or those lucky enough to earn a scholarship, go on to college in hope of fulfilling that dream. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left behind to make work with what we have. Kristof writes, "The basic element of the American dream is equal access to education as the lubricant of social and economic mobility." So, the answer here is, yes, the American dream is
In the article The American Dream: Slipping Away? by Susan Neuman I found many things interesting to read, some even shocking. When Neuman speaks about a study done that found that middle and upper middle class families use a child-rearing strategy called concerted cultivation while working-class and poor parents use the strategy of natural growth, I realized that my mother definitely used natural growth. Neuman states, “These parents generally have less education and time to impress on their children the values that will give them an advantage in school. Their children often spend less time in the company of adults and more time with other children in self-directed, open-ended play” (pp. 166).
“Michelle earned six small scholarships, two of which are renewable for next year, and took out a federal loan. She also works 16 hours a week in the financial – aid office at the university.” (61). With Wallechinsky providing Michelle and her mother’s story it helps many relate or agree of the high payment for our education. Immigrants come to the U.S hoping for an education and opportunities. To have opportunities, for example jobs, a family, and social mobility an education is needed. Our education is the key to many of our dreams but on the other hand it’s one of the main things holding many back. That doesn’t mean that all people have given up for example Wallechinsky states, “Middle class respondents surveyed say they take responsibility for their own financial destiny and believe that they will succeed or fail based on their own efforts. Still, many are downsizing their dreams” (61). This states that many have positive mindsets that believe that the effort and determination to work is the reason for their financial status. But by them downgrading their dreams it shows how our effort and hard work isn’t going to make wages get higher. However, David Wallechinsky has a point to question the existent of the American Dream as many blame
The American Dream can be accomplished with the right tools. In “The American Dream” by Martin C. Jischke he states,“ I represent just one of many millions of Americans whose lives and futures have been changed by the power of education” (74). Jischke’s
Although people think that they have a different dream for everyone else it actually results back to the same thing. The definition of the American dream is the “Ideal that every U.S citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative” (Google.com). But what the article is trying to say is that there is no American dream, the dream itself was made up. The promises that were to come forth once you’ve accomplished the dream are actually false, we live in a time where even if you go to college you aren’t promised a job right away, college students have gotten into the mindset now where they are not expected to get a career in their field right away or even have a job right away once they graduate. But the way they depict the dream is that once you have gotten the proper education, then you will have the perfect life because you made yourself a better person and now you will be rewarded because you
In the book “They Say I Say”, Brandon King writes an essay bringing multiple perspectives on what Americans golden way of living is. The “American dream” is what most American citizens all strive for. Early settlers came in to try to achieve “the dream”. Those who already lived in America choose to stay because of its grand possibilities. The United States of America is the only place in the world where you have the rights to freedom of speech. What is the American dream? It used to be said that you could come to America and go from rags to riches; you could come with nothing and achieve everything you ever wanted. Take a second and think. We all ponder upon, is the so called “American dream” dead or alive? This has been a steamy topic
In America many Americans face struggles with money, which makes it harder to achieve the American dream. In the story “Is The American Dream Still Possible” by David Wallechinsky is about the financial problems Americans face. In Wallechinsky story, he stated “many Americans are struggling squeezed by rising cost, declining wages, credit card debt and diminished benefits with little left to save for retirement.” This quote supports that money is a major problem in the average American’s life. Also in the article “Is the American dream a Myth?” by Ronald Brownstein, talks about how income is a crucial to the American dream. In paragraph 10 Brownstein says “ That less progress has been made in developing programs that effectively prepare lower-income students to apply for college.” In this quote it helps to see that if you have a lower income it’s harder to get into a college and if that dream has to come with education money is a big problem. The American dream is harder to achieve if money gets you through life,
...ion, for instance, can send their children to public or private universities. Thus leaving children whose parents lack the monetary access to only attending community colleges or just completely putting a halt to their educational process. This lack of mobility for children who cannot further their education, according to Bernstein’s study (2003), “[puts] a lid on the intergenerational progress that has long been a mainstay of the American experience” (p. 95). Bernstein’s research indicates a flaw to the American Dream because it does not provide an equal opportunity for the children of the poor, and without education they cannot move upward in the economic spectrum.
While all Americans have the right to an equal opportunity to live their American Dream, not everyone is given their equal opportunity. The American Dream has become the American Daydream. Everyone wants a good education, financial stability, and the freedom to choose their own lifestyle. Realistically, it has become a vision that lies far in the distance, just out of reach, where it remains for most. But it all depends on the person you ask. The American Dream is individualized, meaning everyone has a different view on what they think the American dream is. Some have a more optimistic view, saying things like “The American Dream is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive, and passion, it’s possible to achieve the American Dream” (Tommy
To do what makes oneself happy. The American Dream is represented in many different ways and every person lives and chases a different version of the American Dream. Chris McCandless lived his American dream by walking alone into the wilderness of Alaska. The song written by Toby Keith, “American Soldier”, shows the price some pay for their dreams and ours to come true. Jay Gatsby died trying to acheive his dream and get the girl he loved, but died happy because he had pursued her until his death. The band All Time Low wrote a song called “The Reckless and The Brave” that brings a new light to how we go about achieving our dreams. So I believe that the American Dream is all about doing what will make you the happiest in the end.
Everybody has their own definition of living the “American Dream” and although they have their own definition, they all end up saying the same things. A big house, a family, enough money to feed their family and do other things around town, a job, success, peace, love, and happiness are all things that qualifies one for living the American dream. Some people however, do not believe in the American dream because it is hard to achieve even if you are taking all the right steps to achieve it. In these two articles “What is the American Dream in 2016”, and “The American Dream is Alive – These People Prove It”, you will be able to identify both attitudes towards the American dream.
Comparing the perspective of the American dream in the 1920’s to the American Dream in the 1940’s and present day seems to be a repeating cycle. The American dream is always evolving and changing. The American dream for present day is similar to the dream of the 1920’s. An Ideal of the American life is to conform to what our society has determined is success. Money, materialism and status had replaced the teachings of our founding fathers in the 1920’s. A return to family values and hard work found its way back into American’s lives in the 1940’s. The same pursuit of that indulgent lifestyle that was popular in the roaring twenty’s has returned today for most Americans, many Americans are living on credit and thinking that money and the accumulation of material items can solve all problems. Through film, literature, art and music, an idealized version of what it means to be an American has changed from money, materialism, and status of the 1920s to hard work and family values of the forties.
The American Dream, recognized as being the earning of a college degree, the owning of one 's own home, taking vacations and experiencing upward social mobility, is a very important belief that helped create the success that America is today. Many people believe that anyone who works hard and has determination can achieve this American Dream. In this day and age, experiencing the American Dream is believed to no longer be as available to Americans as it once was. The economy and corporate America have had a strong impact on the availability to reach this state of success. Everyone wants to live the American Dream, whether they know it or not. I have never met a person who did not want to become successful. Even I had a strong belief that the
One of the reasons that the American Dream is still alive is that there are so many opportunities everyday. Most public schools provide students with the necessities they need to succeed, so it is up to them whether or not one decides to use those necessities to achieve a goal. Most students in high school have an idea or dream of what they want their future to be like after high school. College is an example of an American Dream, where student loans, scholarships, graduation coaches, and the ability to re-take the ACT are many opportunities to help one reach that goal. Some may choose to study abroad, which can be obtained affordably by getting a job or raising funds.
The Ending of the American Dream Since the early colonization of America, the American dream has been the ultimate symbol for success. In retrospect, the dreamer desires to become wealthy, while also attaining love and high class. Though the dream has had different meanings over time, it is still based on individual freedom, and a desire for greatness. During the 19th century, the typical goal was to settle in the West and raise a family. However, the dream progressively transformed into greediness and materialism during the early 20th century.
What is the American Dream, and who are the people most likely to pursue its often elusive fulfillment? Indeed, the American Dream has come to represent the attainment of myriad of goals that are specific to each individual. While one person might consider a purchased home with a white picket fence her version of the American Dream, another might regard it as the financial ability to operate his own business. Clearly, there is no cut and dried definition of the American Dream as long as any two people hold a different meaning. What it does universally represent, however, it the opportunity for people to seek out their individual and collective desires under a political umbrella of democracy.