Symbolic Interactionism: The American Dream

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In order to effectively interpret the research and information provided by interviewees, I will be looking through the lens of symbolic interactionism. As defined in You May Ask Yourself, it is, "a micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people's actions" (Conley 2015). In terms of the American dream, this way of thinking perpetrates itself through shared meanings and the motivation of the assumption that the American dream is plausible. "The American dream's endurance attests to most Americans' insistence on the dream as an ideal, if not as a reality (Cohen-Marks 2011: 825)." Ever since the unification of the colonies in 1776, the dream has lured millions across waters, mountains, …show more content…

Although most Americans continue to believe working hard is the most important element for getting ahead, they no longer believe that it guarantees success (Hanson 2010: 570). "Lack of thrift, effort, ability, motivation, and self-control are the most popular explanations for poverty among Americans. Thus, inequality is justified and the Dream can stay alive in the context of one of the wealthiest nations with one of the greatest wealth divides" (Hanson 2010: 571). Instead of one undifferentiated American dream to collectively strive towards, there are several interpretations which pertain to differing social locations. This is because of the inequalities of advantages and disadvantages across generations produced by cumulative institutional processes and an unfair opportunity structure (Pallas 2008: …show more content…

Those who find themselves in a lower position in the stratification system are less likely to be enthusiastic about the opportunity of fulfillment (Starks 2003: 207). One group struggling is the increasing Latino population in America. Samuel Huntington, a Harvard political scientist, warns, "immense and continuing immigration from Latin America, especially from Mexico poses the single most immediate and serious challenge to America's traditional identity. There is no Americano dream. There is only the American dream created by an Anglo-Protestant society" (Cohen-Marks 2011: 825). In order to reduce one's struggle, they are forced to conform into dreaming in a foreign culture. This creates confusion, and a reduced sense of comfortability due to the poor hospitality of the

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