The American Dream

Could a doll really live the American Dream? Barbie is a popular doll and has been for more 50 years. She has had plenty of dream homes and cars. Mostly importantly she has had over 130 occupations ranging from an astronaut, to architect, to presidential candidate, the doll can do anything. She is living the American Dream. According to Dictionary.com, The American Dream was “first recorded in 1930-35” (Dictionary.com). The American Dream is everyone in the United States of America having equal opportunities to make achievements, prosper, and be happy with their quality of life by working hard. Unfortunately, some citizens must work harder than others. This is because, the American Dream was created not

The ‘American Dream” has historically been one of the driving concepts in what success was supposed to look like in America. Many individuals and families from all over the world migrant to America simply because of this picture perfect “promise” of success and happiness. The “house with the white picket fence” mentality has been wildly spread throughout our society and as a result, a misconception about America has been created.

Imagine coming into a country not knowing much about its culture and much less its language, where the social barriers are already enough of an obstacle to hobble around, but money must be earned, and children must be supported. This sounds insane, almost, but the hope of the American dream in my parents’ minds kept them steadfast in their wish to live it, and here I am today, writing this essay for UT Austin because of it. Growing up as a first-generation American citizen in a family where Russian tradition builds the foundation of the house presented me with a wide variety cultures and a unique point of life, especially in the eyes of my ever so curious classmates.

The American Dream is in favor of a certain group of people.It is structured in that because of many different factors. Many individuals are challenged daily by trying to accomplish the American Dream. They work more than normal to obtain their dream of success.This is a good thing that these other people try to achieve this goal more. Education,money, and housing are the main aspects of the American Dream. If a person does not achieve one of these then they do not achieve the dream persay. Only the white man in America has the ability to achieve the standards of the American Dream due to racism.

Yes: the "American dream" of one day owning a home is still alive and well among Millennials. Let me explain: The "American Dream" embodies the right to seek happiness, work a job and to buy a home; which allows each of us to feel safe and relaxed, support having a family, stability to pay off bills and one day retire; contribute and act within society, with the aim of being able to do the things that make us happy. It is an idea that aligns with the conscious of the Millennial generation for the fact that it reflects the need to own a space in the world whilst acknowledging the fact that each individual has a responsibility for that space and there are real consequences for owning this space.

Dreams are something one works hard to achieve, but  sometimes it’s impossible for them to come true. People, nature and life in general can get in the way of someone’s dream and makes it harder for them and others to achieve their goals. In the book, Of Mice And Men, the author, John Steinbeck, has many characters whose dreams fail due to the conflict of other characters. For example, when Lennie kills Curley’s Wife, George and Candy’s dream of owning a farm disappears. Steinbeck’s message in his book is that dreams don’t always come true and can fail when it’s least expected. The most pitiable character in the book is George because not only does his dream of owning a farm fail, but he also loses someone he cares dear about.

In the early 20th century America started to greatly expand in many ways: economically, politically, and by expanding their military. Spreading the America Dream by Emily S. Rosenberg, explains that America was expanding in these ways throughout the book, making America more of a developed nation. Emily argues that America is becoming more of an imperialistic nation by advancing our economic system, expanding our military, and persuading people to conform to the American way.

Platt mentioned how the American Dream has made a negative effect on how Christians live. For example, Platt says, "We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with (page 13)." Platt continues talking about the American Dream by saying, "We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us because, after all, this is whom we are most comfortable with (page 13)." Lastly, Platt says, "… we may not actually be worshipping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshipping ourselves. (page 13)."

The ”American Dream” has been re-defined – in many ways. A spouse with 2.5 children standing in front of a two-story colonial in a quiet neighborhood is not everyone’s dream. Some people make a conscious choice not to bring children into the world. Some millennials want the right to marry whomever they chose – male or female. Some people prefer city living to suburban life. And, in today’s economically stressed times, some millennials have opted for alternative living arrangements to put their money towards actually living life – travelling, volunteering/donating, socializing, and/or advanced learning.

America is a place where people go to receive more rights and opportunities for themselves or their children .The American Dream is being able to living a happy and retire without having to worry about money. People should also save enough money for their kids to have an easier start. America still supports the American dream because if you work hard, you can be successful. America is a place where many immigrants go for freedom and the opportunities that it has to offer. The United States also limits the restriction from certain rights from the government, stated by the Bill of Rights. The United States does still provided access to the American Dream by being successful from hard work, better start for immigrants, and the Bill of Rights.

Although we would like to believe that the “American Dream” was built upon ideas that all humans are treated equally, with justice and liberty for everyone, it is simply not true. Our Constitution was built on the ideas of a singular group of people, the elite white males in the United States, and what was most advantageous for them. “But in its own language, the Declaration of Independence limited life, liberty, and happiness to white males” (Zinn 69). The society we live in today and its ideals that we live upon were created for the benefit of a small percentage of people, within a country of many ethnicities and different social classes.

The “American Dream” is an idea which is commonly interpreted as working towards a dream or aspiration one has until it has been achieved. This idea is so significant in American society because it encourages people to elevate themselves in society and to aspire to become something great. In theory, this concept is a great model to live by and to encourage a nation to propel themselves into their own unique ideas of success. Even if it is difficult and there are many barriers that exist and have existed, those who have continued to pursue a passion or movement have always seemed to succeed. American culture is full of real and fictional “Rags to Riches” stories because it is always a real option and possibility to pursue in American society. Many of the people who have their own rags to riches stories include Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, and Oprah Winfrey. From any limitation which anyone has faced, there always has seemed to be someone who has risen up from those struggles and prejudices in order to fulfil their interpretation of the American Dream. Many people are able to fulfill the American Dream from many backgrounds, but all had the same ambitions to pursue ones dream.

The “American Dream” has always been seen as climbing the ladder of success. Over a hundred years ago, for immigrants, success was making it to America. For following generations, it was men working hard and women being diligent homemakers. In more recent generations, success meant both males and females getting a college education. But now, success looks different. Success is the pursuit of your own happiness - whatever form that takes. For some, it is status and money. In order to be happy they need to feel fulfilled by those two things. Others view travelling and enjoying their youth and freedom as happiness, and therefore successful. These views of success and the “American Dream” are now in terms of experience, not the ability to provide for your family. These differing goals showcase what people value now compared to in past generations.

Yes, technically the American Dream is still possible. The American Dream is still alive and obtainable. Many people have a definition of what the American Dream that is obtainable in their minds. People all have unique individual lives. There is not ‚one’ Dream. We all adapt our dreams so one day they will not be seen as dreams anymore and we could possibly achieve them. But will this moment ever happen? Is it only a pipe dream or can it actually reach reality?

In a documentary film, Kelly and Tony are a young couple who are second generation immigrants from Laos. Kelly became pregnant after graduating from high school, and she and Tony struggled as they took on the adult responsibilities that parenting their young son, Andrew, required. Furthermore, Tony wanted Kelly to stay home and take care of the baby and help his parents after they moved into Tony’s parents’ house. On the other hand, Kelly had the dream of continuing her education and attending college, but their circumstances with the baby wouldn’t allow her to pursue that goal. Tony didn’t seem to understand the picture Kelly had in her mind of living the “American dream”, what living the American dream meant to her or the goals that were important to her in achieving that dream. Kelly has no support from anyone to help her pursue her dream. Laotians are seemed very much entrenched in their traditions and culture, but younger generation are fast becoming adapted to the American way of life.