The American Dream : The American Dream

The topic of The American Dream has been brought up on many occasions. The arising issue that still ascends is whether or not The American Dream is alive or dead in the United States. The American Dream has come to the generalization of the personal perspective of any individual. The history of The American Dream has always gone back to the common man thinking of their future generations to come and how he will implant a positive outcome throughout it. Many now believe that the ideal plan of The American Dream cannot even be met anymore. Values and beliefs are now being questioned towards the aspect of upward mobility, the cost of education, jobs, and even affordable housing. Referring to an executive editor and vice president of Time Reporting, he states, “combined with a formidable American work ethic, made the pursuit of happiness more than a full-time proposition” (Meacham, Keeping The Dream Alive). This statement is targeted towards the actual definition of what The American Dream actually meant in various societies in the past. Happiness and a full-time of gratitude were critical aspects towards being met because it was the initial reason for this ideal. Some of the key causes and components that affect the way The American Dream is supposed upon today is the basic principles of economics, education, and a downward spiral. These reasons lead to The American Dream being considered in a diverse way with much complexity. The American Dream was different from the past and

The American Dream is indefinable. There is no one set of words or characteristics that the entire population assigns directly to its definition. With the American population consisting of people of various races, ethnicities, ages, classes, and genders, it seems trivial to even attempt to attribute a single definition to the concept of the American Dream. It is this inability however, to be confined within one single meaning, that allows for the American Dream to govern the desires and goals of the large and diverse American population. And, regardless of all of the heterogeneity within society, the American Dream is generally a goal of all American peoples. In examining this idea, I began to think about the specific meanings attributed to the American Dream for different types of individuals. I broadly outlined the American Dream for myself, to represent the belief in hard work as a pathway to success and raising oneself in society. Consequently, this higher position in society allows for the possession of increased amounts of power. My definition however, neglects to take into account the certain other societal constructs that could possibly have a decisive role in how to both define and achieve the American Dream for the wide variety of people who pursue it.

American Dream: Noun, the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American. That is the definition of the American dream according to Dictionary.com, but the American Dream is more than a definition, but a way of life for many. Millions of immigrants come to our country in search of this “American Dream” including my grandparents but more and more are disappointed. So does the American Dream exist? Has it ever existed or has it all been an illusion?

Following the Reconstruction Era, from 1877 to 1920, the United States of America was undergoing industrial, political and social change. The United States industrialized, with sweeping technological developments bringing the country into the “modern era”. During this time, the country faced many challenges due to its “Open Door Policy” that led to the largest influx of immigration the country had ever seen. Also, African-Americans struggled to attain the freedoms brought about by the passage of new laws and amendments and Native Americans faced relocation to reservations. Ultimately during this Gilded Age, the poor grew poorer and faced a life of hardship and drudgery while the rich grew richer and seemingly lived an easier life. As a result, the “American Dream” was unattainable for most. At the heart of the American Dream is the idea that all citizens are born with equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that all citizens can feel secure in knowing the government, of the people, will work together to protect these rights and secure justice. None of these values were upheld for the citizens of the United States from 1877-1920. African-American citizens were deprived of their human and democratic rights. Furthermore, justice for African Americans was non existent as southern states devised loopholes to keep them serving a life of servitude. Native Americans were deprived of their human rights and security because the government prioritized

Is the american dream still possible and was it always possible for everyone the american dream was this great idea that everyone can retire at a certain age always have a job. And not matter what race or country you come from or what you looked like but it wasn't always like this and still isn't.

Throughout the vast country that is the United States, many people, unique as they are, have one common goal and want that is the same. For lots of those individuals, that goal is just to get around the immense amount of challenges that one day brings upon them. For many, they will do whatever it takes to provide financially for themselves and or their family, in an attempt to build supportable and desirable lives. This concept is known as the American Dream. In Barbara Ehrenreich’s, Nickled and Dimed and John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the American Dream is an everlasting concept that is perceived differently by both of the book’s main characters. Although these two pieces of writing were written in different eras, the characters

I believe that the American Dream is alive and dead. I also believe that humanity will never reach a point where everyone has an equal opportunity in everything as we crave power and not good will. Those who are rich will continue as so and those who are poor will most likely not improve. However, I also believe that one can achieve happiness through any situation they are put in. That being said, it requires gargantuan amounts of strife to put oneself in a certain mindset to see the positive in life. While still being naive and young I have traces of optimism for the future; as a result, I refuse to accept that the American Dream is dead. But as life sets in and I develop a more realistic perspective, it is becoming an ever more

The American Dream is made up of many different aspects and ideas. Like moving up the social , escaping poverty , freedom ,equality , pursuing our interests and passions , opinions and safety. Most of the dreams are different for an individual depending on their situation.

The American dream, the once great aspiration for all red white and blue ruffians regardless of background- racial or economical- has always existed with a degree of falsehood- at least for the majority of Americans. In times of great crisis it has been rallied behind, serving the communal need to move forward for something, anything . But despite protecting it, from harsh winters and gunfire, from powers foreign and abroad, this faux hope has done little for even the best citizens of this great nation. The American Dream is an almost entirely false promise, whilst some still have a decent shot at this alluring American golden ticket, immigrants, people of color, the poor, to them it seems to have always been out of reach.

The idea of the American Dream can be first traced back to a book called The Epic of America by author James Truslow, where he states, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better, richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” This idea of better opportunity really summarizes the goal of many early American immigrants as they traveled from faraway lands in hopes of a better future. Many would say this idea of prosperity is the American Dream; a better place for everyone’s own success, however, success is largely dependent on individual skill and ability. As we look more in depth of the idea of the American Dream, we notice the flaws within itself both

“American Dream” has a long history, originally refers to the Puritan immigrants belief in freedom to create, dreams and desires. However, as in the new continent and the west in the process of development, the “American Dream” gradually evolved the yearning and pursuit of success, including the pursuit of wealth, class and love. In American, people always think, through your diligently work that you will be able to change their social status, live a life of rich people in the United States. But by the 1920s, the “American Dream” began to slowly become decadent, all the positive meanings are later replaced by hedonism, extravagance and waste. All the dream about the treasure, equal status and

The development of urban communities, and their consequent rot because of a free enterprise request took after by endeavors to reestablish city life alongside a departure of those with means and/or fitting skin color helped by arrangement instruments. With the racial isolation got as a result (or perhaps item) of the chain of occasions would compress the appointed readings more or less.

Former President Barack Obama “Called for an America where no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from, no matter what your last name is, no matter who you love, you can make it here if you try” (Kenworthy 1). Don’t we all wish it was that easy? As a matter of fact, the vision Barack Obama painted is exactly what's holding the majority of Americans from pursuing the American Dream for many generations. America the land of opportunity, where dreams ought to be reality is not so promising for many. With high hopes of concurring the American Dream, for most individuals and families is not possible because of circumstances they face. This has been an ongoing problematic dilemma for different ethnic and social groups in America for numerous years, even today. Brandon King, the author of “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold”, claims that the American dream is “more alive and important than ever and that it is the key to climbing out of the great recession, overcoming inequality, and achieving true prosperity” (611). King proclaims that the American dream is a watered-down version of its old self and believes that people are no longer interested in going from rags-to-riches but instead, preferring a more stable, middle-class lifestyle, which allows them to save money for the future and have a secure employment (611). Indeed, King is right about the American dream being alive. In fact, research confirms that the American dream is alive, but it's limited to many due Discrimination, excessive barriers preventing the Dream from becoming reality and the lack of equality and opportunity for everyone.

Millennials,millenials,millenials is all I hear about my generation; all I hear about my generation is how clueless and crazy we are about how the world works and that we will never make it like our ancestors before us. I never hear anything good words spoken about millennials and that needs to change. Us millennials hear you and believe me, we are trying our best to change this stereotype. The American dream has always been what everyone desires- a little perfect family, house, and neighborhood.

Throughout the vast country that is the United States, copious amounts of people, often different from each other, have one essential goal that is the same. Often, this goal can be to conquer the many obstacles that the world presents them, in an attempt to be deemed a successful and valued member of society. This ambition that drives people to have a desirable, supportable, and successful life, that is achieved by hard work, dedication, and the ability to overcome a series of roadblocks, is known as the American Dream. In Barbara Ehrenreich’s nonfiction book Nickel and Dimed and John Steinbeck’s Novel, Of Mice and Men,the protagonists define the American Dream, however, there definitions are quite different, while still having hints of similarities. The meaning of the dream is based largely on the time period in which these books were taken place. A constant, however, is the characters wanting to gain independence. In both texts, the journey to achieve the dream is one that features a plethora of obstacles, such as monetary, civil, and medical, which illustrates that the want to become self sufficient is a purpose that remains consistent throughout both books, even though the dream evolves as time moves on.