My American Dream

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American Dream: what is your definition of it? Does it involve money? Does it involve love? Does it involve healthiness? People have different definitions of what they would want in their "American Dream." First of all, let's define American Dream. American Dream is what you would consider a "perfect life." It can be full of happiness, money, love, food, cars, whatever you desire; everyone has a different opinion. One person?s American Dream may be totally different from someone else?s; that is what makes us all individuals. Robert Wuthnow writes about different people?s American Dream in his essay "Having It All." Throughout Wuthnow's essay, it seems that not too many people are truly living out their American Dream. Many complain about having to work to much, not enough time with the family, not enough pay, and so on. My American Dream would include a good job and lots of money, spare time for my family and I, and most importantly, healthiness.

First, money is very important in my American Dream for obvious reasons. Money gets you food. Money gets you shelter. Money gets you nice things. I believe that money, lots of money, is a big part of everyone?s American Dream; everyone including myself. When most people think of money the first thing that comes to mind is luxuries; however, money is needed for the bare necessities such as food and shelter. But how do you acquire money? Through a good job of course. Having an enjoyable, good paying job is extremely important. I am a firm believer that if you enjoy what you do, you do not have a job, you have a career. Many Americans also include jobs and money in their American Dream: ?Throughout much of our nation?s history people pursued the American Dream by...

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..., many people think about having millions and millions of dollars; however, they fail to consider the little things that can truly make you happy. Little things such as family and friends, and most importantly, good mental as well as physical health. If you are healthy but live in poverty, you are not truly living your American Dream. If you are a millionaire but are dying from a disease, you are not truly living your American Dream. So what exactly does it take to live a ?perfect life?? That is a question that has no right or wrong answer; it simply depends on whom you are asking. Enjoyable job, plenty of money, spare time, and healthiness define my American Dream; what is the definition of yours?

Works Cited

Goshgarian, Gary. The Contemporary Reader. 6th ed. New York: Longman, 1999.

Wuthnow, Robert. ?Having It All.? Goshgarian 498-504.

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