Argumentative Essay On The American Dream

Two words that inspire much conversation, thought, and even tension are the words American Dream. What is it? How do we achieve it? Is it even possible? Back when our country was first founded, the idea of the American Dream was people looking for a “new life” would come America to gain more opportunity. A very important document to our nation is the Declaration of Independence. This document highlights the concept of the American Dream when it declares, “All men are created equal” and also when it states the inalienable rights of each man are, “ life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” Equality, life liberty and happiness are significant points in the dream every American seeks to achieve.

The home of the brave and land of the free was the perfect sounding place to many immigrants from different places. They came to America because they wanted to escape their poverty, government, war or previous life to achieve the american dream they hear about. The American Dream has changed the last few decades whether it was for good or for worse. Alex Tizon, Gary Soto and Sherman Alexie tells us about the dream that everyone used to seek out but will also tell show how much has changed from the past to the present.

It seems that over the decades, the “American Dream” has changed along with the generations who follow it. After the “Great Recession”, the housing crisis which triggered a financial crisis, and millennials have changed their point of view about homeownership. This change created another definition for the “American Dream”, because more opt out to rent versus buy, and some don’t bother with houses at all and prefer to live in apartments. This is all due to rising student debt, risks associated with owning a home, and the fact that homes are often suited for families and it’s been proven that millennials are pushing back the age for conceiving children.

Through everybody’s eyes is their own version of the American Dream. Whether it’s the stereotypical dream with a good job, a family, and a house with a white picket fence, or it could be just getting by at the end of the month financially. The American Dream doesn’t have a specific image but rather a particular mindset. Lots of people have a goal in their life that they have to work hard to be successful towards that goal, but in most cases that goal may be unrealistic.

America; the land of the free and the home of the brave. A liberal place that invites all to partake in the prosperous fruits of freedom and equality. One controversial amenity that America is known for is the American Dream. With the tools America provides its citizens, any of us can achieve the American Dream, and as long as 1 person is still able to achieve that dream, it will live on.

What is the American Dream? For most, it can be summed up in three words: comfort, happiness, and future. It is the term used to describe the 'perfect' lifestyle that most American citizens and immigrants wish to achieve: a loving family, stable financial status, and the opportunity to save for their family's future. It is described as "the belief that hardworking Americans" can live comfortable lives and provide for their children's future "and still save enough to live comfortably after they retire" (Wallechinsky 64). Rising costs of living (including healthcare and insurance costs), an unstable job market, and skyrocketing prices of higher education are making the ideal lifestyle look a lot less achievable. The ideal American life is not still accessible because those who come from a privileged life or are able to get a high-wage job can achieve it, but because of the change in the economy and job market, it may not be accessible to all.

Jon Meacham Once said “The American Dream may be slipping away. We have overcome such challenges before. To recover the Dream requires knowing where it came from, how it lasted so long and why it matters so much.” America was founded on the sweat of our ancestors trying to create a nation of freedom, that freedom wasn’t achieved without their sacrifice and goal to achieve the greatest nation on earth, they achieved that goal. Ever since America was founded the idea that we have the best nation on earth and the only place on earth that's “truly” free has been shoved down our throats so hard that we start to believe it even if it’s not true. Every American has responsibilities to their country, those responsibilities responsibilities are simple and include respect for one another in the form of representing our Natives culture,

Despite James Truslow Adams’ claim that,”life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”, there is not equal opportunity for all Americans to strive for the American Dream. Many Americans are in social or economic situations that affect their access to a good education, proper healthcare, and many other factors that are essential to their success. Without equal access to these opportunities it is near impossible for one to achieve the American Dream.

America is the land of the free, home of the brave. A saying integrated into songs, and used in many American’s conversations throughout their lives. A phrase that shaped one of the main ideas in the “American Dream.” America is the land of opportunity, prosperity, and freedom with honest hard work. But, how many Americans are free when they are forced to exploit themselves just to make it through each day without starving? Every day, thousands of helpless Americans find themselves chained to a lifestyle that strips them of their human and American rights. However, the ones depriving these people of their chance at living out the American Dream are not the people getting reprimanded. It is the victims of human trafficking that are often

Various novels have introduced the American Dream and its importance in succeeding long term goals. Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun, had given a different standpoint on the dream; that the American Dream is not equally accessible to all Americans. Many believe that the dream is a gateway to a lifetime of riches and various opportunities to achieve one’s goals. If this is the definition to which we view the American Dream, we are not confirming that the dream is equally accessible to everyone in the country. The American Dream is not equally accessible to everyone living in America because of the racial discrimination, income rates, as well as the evolution of workplaces.

Who do you think was the first dreamer who ever dreamt of the American Dream? Was he or she even American? Looking back in history you will find that it was mostly immigrants from places like Europe and Ireland who were coming to America, packing up everything in hopes of getting a taste of this “American dream.” All these different people from different places coming to achieve the same, “dream,” does not seem very likely. However all these people had their own reasons for coming to America, and with that each of them had their own “dream.” Although in today’s society advertisements and television shows portray an American dream that everyone can get behind in order to sell their products, and get views. They highlight an American dream of having three things, having lots of money, a nice house, and a college degree from a prestigious school or university. My American dream doesn’t require those things. In fact I believe that the American dream is dying because of the fact that there is too much importance around money, materialistic things, and college degrees.

“ I don’t believe that the American Dream should be reserved for those who are born into the elite or somehow have been given an advantage over others. My growing-up experience is probably the most important thing that guides my priorities and my work today” - Ken Salazar. The American Dream was a powerful statement that many people believed to be true since it was first established in 1931. It states that “it is a dream of a land in which life should be better, richer, and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” - James Truslow Adams. America is the land of the free and you should accomplish what you want in life based on what you, alone, can accomplish. Surowiecki states that the American Dream

The pursuit of happiness is the American dream that every immigrant envisioned and sought. The dream has soured and devolved into a nightmare for most Americans. The United States’ debt is currently in the trillions of dollars. Average American households are also in serious and debilitating debt. The cost of living in American has sky rocketed in recent years, but the minimum wage did not follow suit. The American people were forced to take out loans and credit cards to charge basic living expenses like food and gas. It costs around $250,000 to raise a child from birth until their eighteenth birthday. It does not include the ever-growing college tuition. Unfortunately, a college education does not mean that a person will be successful in a

America was formed by those who wanted a new beginning. Whether it was religious, political, or social, the colonist saw America as a place to live the life they wanted. Over time America boomed, and the modern world invaded their safe haven. Instead of a place for individual goal, the American Dream became the generalized goal for all Americans- money, success, and happiness. Ironically, this country has been known to be stingy from before the Revolutionary War (hence the whole No taxation without representation. ) Progressing with the gold rush and then the major shift from agriculture to factories, the American Dream flowed through all that lived in America without even having to mention it. Despite differences on how it is achieved, Americans see money as the key to everything and without it there is no dream.

Close your eyes and imagine where you will be in 10 years. Most of you see a husband or wife, a few kids, a house and a steady job. Sadly, for 30 of you this dream is no longer a possibility. In America today, only 63% of people own a home, and 36% of those people are in debt $60,000 or more. (Saez) Only 27% of you will own a home without becoming crippled with debt. The other 73% must go out and find a new dream or face a dream that will never become a reality.