The Changing American Dream

The Changing American Dream

The American Dream has changed tremendously over the past 85 years and continues to change. What was once the American dream in the 1900s is no longer the same American Dream in the 21st century. Many people do not even believe the American dream exists anymore. I am going to write about the original meaning of the American Dream and how it has and will be perceived in the future. Looking at the past direction of the American dream, there are many different directions it can take due to the current political position, the economy, and the social conditions in the United States.

There are four different parts of this paper. The first part is the original meaning of the American Dream and how it inspired many Americans.

Then I will write about the current political issues that are surrounding the American Dream in 2016. Next, I will discuss how the economy affects the American Dream, and Lastly how the current social conditions in the United States affect the American Dream. The American Dream that I will be using is that of a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals (Democracy, Rights, Liberty, Opportunity, and Equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers (Smith, Roberts, J, 2006)

The Declaration of Independence promised a forcible statement that stated “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. Years after this in 1931, the American dream was coined by: James Truslow Adams, who is an American writer and historian. Adam wrote “The American Dream is that dream of land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement it is a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of each birth or position” (Adams 1931: 404). The American Dream rests on the belief of having humble roots and a normal living in the standard of time. This dream has driven not just Americans, but immigrants from all over, to come to the United States to start a new life and to achieve success. It has molded the country’s image and brought strong national pride in the United States.
While there are different outlooks on the American Dream, when it was coined the intentions were not to live a high class life, but to give one the hope and ability to achieve what they are capable of in hopes of living a prosperous life for one’s family. Although the American Dream was coined in a different time than we live in now, it has held different definitions for every American. In the 1900s there were different economic situations, social conditions, and a different outlook on politics. While this dream built itself off of living in the suburb, which became the imagined land of opportunity. During this time living in the suburbs was only attainable for the elite, and now with new hope this suddenly changed. During the war the chances of everyday Americans living on their own was slim due to a poor economy. New hopes were seen as the war came to an end and many Americans had the opportunity to acquire the suburban homes equipped with an automobile and a private yard. White male workers found it difficult for advancement in factories, which led to a new vision. This vision was the ability to buy a car, household materials, buy a house, and to have all of the possessions to run a household. In today’s world there are many issues that affect one’s ability to achieve this dream that has molded the American people for years.
The concept of The American Dream as many of Americans know it now is used by politicians to win over the constituents trust and campaign support.

Many Americans now believe the American Dream is born out of greed and desire as they think everything should just be given to them. Today politics is a dirty world where money and promises can almost buy anything. Many politicians have their own agendas while running for office. As we all know there are two political parties in the United States who are trying to make America believe in The American Dream once again. When examining the Democratic party, it is clear they support unions and union contracts which provide more money for the everyday worker so they can achieve a piece of The American Dream. This means unions promise work and income for people who are in the union and pay union fees. The Republican party believes in the pursuit of opportunity and has defined America from the very beginning. This is a land of opportunity and The American Dream is a dream of equal opportunity for all. In 2016, there are many Americans who feel as though the Republican party is only looking out for the rich and leaving everyone else behind. However, the Republican party is fighting for the original coined definition of the American Dream. The set of ideals (Democracy, Rights, Liberty, Opportunity, and Equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children,

achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers. Without the push to make a better life for yourself and your family you are letting them down. However, many Americans are starting to believe the American Dream is no longer alive and was only a theoretical dream. As politics play a major rule in the American Dream, so does the economy.
In 1931, the middle class prosperity was the dream of many Americans. This was the goal everyone desired so severely. When I was younger my parents and my teachers always told to finish high school and attend college. If we achieved this, we would be set for our future and have the necessary requirements to start our career. As a senior who will soon be graduating, I fear the future because of our countries economy. Back in the 1900s, there were not many people who chose to attend college which made it easier for them to start a career. Today in 2016, there are so many college graduates all fighting for the same jobs with the same degrees. Undergraduate degrees are no longer enough and to out yourself ahead of others a master’s degree or even higher is needed. With all of this schooling comes college debt that will take years to pay back. The United States has 19 trillion dollars of debt that just keeps growing and without a plan to fix our economy who knows what they future will hold. If the economy keeps moving like this and more jobs are lost many people will recognize the American Dream is unachievable. I will continue believing if one works hard enough they will be able to provide for themselves and their family even when times are hard. There are jobs out there but people do not want to work them because they feel they deserve better. Although they might actually deserve better and have the skills and knowledge for a more prestige job, the economy is bad and unemployment does not last forever. Lastly, there are certain social conditions that make achieving the American Dream difficult.
As James Adams said, “the opportunity for each according to ability or achievement it is a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of each birth or position”.

Today there are still many inequalities among men and women. Not to mention the continuing inequalities of different races in America. Women are still not treated as equals in certain work places. Men are guaranteed equality as the Declaration of Independence states. As the United States was built off of this document, it has caused many problems with inequality since the day it was written. Even in 2016 many people of different skin color are treated differently regardless of what color skin they have. Many people only associate racism as Caucasians treating people of color poorly. Although this may be true, Caucasians are simply looked over for certain things. I have firsthand experience with this kind of racism against Caucasians when filling out an application for scholarships and reading the requirements it is clear that if you are a female and someone of color you have more opportunities for scholarships and a better chance of getting them over some who is Caucasian. Another issue I may point out is the if you are in a low-income family you also have a better chance of getting a scholarship. Even if someone has a middle-class family that does not mean you have money to send someone to

college. All of these reasons listed in the above text simply show why the American Dream is changing or is only an unachievable dream.
In Conclusion, the coined American Dream from James Truslow Adams seems to have changed over the past 85 years. As stated before the political issues play a huge role in someone’s prospective of the American Dream. Each political party has their own idea and platform of the American, which makes coming together as a country very difficult. With a failing economy and millions of people who are in debt, this gives no hope for their future. Lastly, the social conditions have followed the American Dream over the years. While there are still some inequalities in the United States, I believe we have come a long way from where we once started. My definition of the American Dream still holds truth to me, I too see the flaws and issues surrounding the concept.