The American Dream is a term that has been used in American society for generations. Although, many people do not actually know where it came from, why it is said, or what it means. The American Dream was created in the early 1930’s and the original definition was the ability to achieve prosperity and success for each man regardless of his skill or upbringing. In the present day, this definition has changed a bit and is not so easily achieved by everyone due to the separation of classes. The American Dream is the hope to achieve the ultimate level of happiness in life despite the amount of work it may take, however it cannot be achieved by everyone. The idea of the American Dream was created by James Adams in the 1930’s during the Great Depression.
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In the United States, 400 people have as much wealth as half of the country’s population’s assets combined. (Kornbluth) This is insane considering the majority of the money these rich people are holding is not needed and is simply pocket change for these big-time billionaires. Likewise, these rich people are not spending enough of their hefty paychecks. The top 1% will invest their money in places other than the United States to acquire the best return, not realizing that they are hurting the rest of this country’s economy. (Reich 401) Then, there is less money for the workers to spend and therefore nothing to keep the economy going. Even if there was more money given to the working class, they still would not be able to achieve the dream. The little bit of extra pay would help them temporarily, but in the long run, would do little to nothing to create their financial stability needed to fulfill the American …show more content…
Sam Walton, the creator of Wal-mart, “grew up in a pretty hardscrabble time” in the Great Depression. (Packer 351) His father only worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., so he was not from a privileged upbringing. Jay-Z also achieved the dream, coming from a African American minority family and living in a cramped apartment building. (Packer 356) Along with some other individuals, these men both climbed the social class ladder and defied the odds against them. Though this may be true, the dream is definitely not attainable for all. The United States may look like an easy place to succeed, but it is far from it. It is a fact that fewer than one in five men surpass the economic status of their fathers. (Mantsios 391) The chances for success are very slim, and even so, earning more than their father does not necessarily mean that they are living the American Dream. One must become financially stable and be in a position to provide for their family continuously to actually live the American
In the United States, 400 people have as much wealth as half of the country’s population’s assets combined. (Kornbluth) This is insane considering the majority of the money these rich people are holding is not needed and is simply pocket change for these big-time billionaires. Likewise, these rich people are not spending enough of their hefty paychecks. The top 1% will invest their money in places other than the United States to acquire the best return, not realizing that they are hurting the rest of this country’s economy. (Reich 401) Then, there is less money for the workers to spend and therefore nothing to keep the economy going. Even if there was more money given to the working class, they still would not be able to achieve the dream. The little bit of extra pay would help them temporarily, but in the long run, would do little to nothing to create their financial stability needed to fulfill the American …show more content…
Sam Walton, the creator of Wal-mart, “grew up in a pretty hardscrabble time” in the Great Depression. (Packer 351) His father only worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., so he was not from a privileged upbringing. Jay-Z also achieved the dream, coming from a African American minority family and living in a cramped apartment building. (Packer 356) Along with some other individuals, these men both climbed the social class ladder and defied the odds against them. Though this may be true, the dream is definitely not attainable for all. The United States may look like an easy place to succeed, but it is far from it. It is a fact that fewer than one in five men surpass the economic status of their fathers. (Mantsios 391) The chances for success are very slim, and even so, earning more than their father does not necessarily mean that they are living the American Dream. One must become financially stable and be in a position to provide for their family continuously to actually live the American