The American Dream Reality

Improved Essays
The American Dream is a traditional ideal of the perfect life here in the U.S. This 19th century principle was the reason many Americans strived for excellence and other nations took note on our progress as a society, as a culture. This phenomenon is something our ancestors sought after and took very seriously. Of course, many people have tried to achieve this “dream” for decades and this principle still relevant today. However, many people have realized that it is becoming harder to fulfill today, especially for minorities and immigrants, and will be harder for the next generations to come. This has caused the new generation of Americans to wonder and question if it is real; if it was worth the risk to try to achieve the same dreams their …show more content…
Still, what is the American Dream? Research has shown that it is more of a “spiritual fulfillment” rather than a materialistic success (cite: Attitudes..) Nevertheless, it has never-ending opportunities due to cultural, racial, location and gender differences. For example, the American Dream of an elder, White man from Nebraska would most likely be different than a teenage, Hispanic girl from Texas. Both American Dreams would be completely different than a middle aged man from Mexico. This is the beauty “American Dream,” people are looking for a way to better their lives whether they are different or the same as another citizen. However, with every success there are problems and or …show more content…
Repeatedly studies have shown this systematic and social discrimination of minorities living in America. According to the article, Trends – Attitudes About the American Dream, “Most Americans were satisfied with the opportunity to get ahead in the United States by working hard. There was, however, a growing minority of Americans dissatisfied with this opportunity.” (Citation: Attitudes..) This is no secret for Black/African Americans. For example, Blacks or African Americans have been targets for decades. Many whites believe their failure of achieving anything in life is because they “don’t work hard enough,” when in reality it is more likely to be the lack of proper resources to excel in life. These opinions seem irrational but many think this is the case of their failure to achieve the American Dream, when in reality, according to Thomas Shapiro, “Even when African Americans do everything right - get an education and work hard at well-paying jobs, they cannot achieve the wealth of their white peers in the workforce" (Shapiro et al.,

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    This reader is, Cal Thomas. Mr. Thomas thinks that the American dream can still be achieved. Cal stated in “Is the American Dream Over,” “The rules for achieving the American dream may no longer be taught in and supported by culture, but that doesn't mean they don't work. The rules are known to previous generations: studying and staying in school; achieving at least an undergraduate degree; avoiding drugs that harm your mind and body; getting married before you have children and working hard to stay married as an example to those children and to benefit society; saving and investing for retirement so as not to burden taxpayers and relatives; living within one's means; demonstrating personal honesty and professional integrity, which comes from character developed in one's youth, usually with a sense of right and wrong once imposed by parents and affirmed by culture” (Thomas, 2010, n.p.).…

    • 1912 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Many immigrants all over the world come to U.S every year to seek their American Dream, which is a national ethos of the United States. Moreover, the American Dream is used in a lot of ways but it essentially is a set of ideas that suggest that all people in the USA can succeed through hard work. Moreover, anyone has potential to lead a happy, successful life. A lot of people believe that rising social mobility and success is possible in the U.S for everyone due to the American economic and political system. James Truslow Adams in 1931 defined the American dream as: "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.”…

    • 1927 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The American Dream is to achieve prosperity, success, and wealth through hard work. The ideal of American Dream has powered the aspirations of Americans for generations. However, the dream has now become a nightmare for many Americans. Most young people don’t expect to achieve the same kind of wealth that their parents had in the old days because the American dream has become impossible for most people to accomplish. As the American dream are becoming progressively unaffordable for majority, it’s gradually dying.…

    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In conclusion, the American dream is a promise of freedom and equality in a new and better life. Every citizen either born and raised in America or immigrating to America has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Citizens have to be willing to go through hardships and suffering in life to earn money and work for success. All men and women that actually put in hard work and determination, and do not just take everything in life for granted, will achieve in the future and become successful in…

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    According to Khan (2011), Americans, more specifically, white Americans have gone from the mindset of entitlement, to a mindset of merit. If one did not work for their spot in society, then it is not an accomplishment to be proud of (Khan 2011). Overall, this idea of merit, one must work hard for a better life, is a great thing, but what these white Americans aren’t seeing are the roadblocks that are in the way of minorities and their opportunities to…

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The American Dream varies between each individual. Everyone has a different goal that they would strive to achieve. Some may think the American dream is accomplishing great actions or events, such as obtaining a countless amount of money or living in a mansion. Another perspective is that others would want to get more out of life then what they have previously, such as not being homeless or being financially stable. The American dream can become a reality if the person can motivate themselves to keep going even with one or multiple obstacles in their way.…

    • 1072 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Raisin In The Sun Ethos

    • 1128 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Embedded in the Declaration of Independence in the United States is the American dream. It is asserted that “all men were created equal” with everyone having the right to liberty, life and equal chances in life. In addition, is apparent that the American Dream has been the core guide of Americans and their young ones as they endeavour to rise and transcend barriers in their social and economic lives. This is even more elaborate in the history of America citing the fact that the American Dream acts as the national ethos. Consequentially, the American dream is imminent in the lives of Americans and although its components have adjusted over the centuries, it remains sturdy nationally.…

    • 1128 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Even though it may not always happen, this country tries very hard for many to start on a level playing field by doing things like passing laws that make discrimination of religion, ethnicity, and social class illegal when applying for a job. In this country, it does not matter where someone is from or what family they were born into, but what that individual can bring to the table and provide for their community. That in itself is the American Dream; to build successes that can radiate through the society, benefiting all of us for the…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The American dream is the ideal that every U.S. citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. It is a life of personal happiness and material comfort as traditionally sought by individuals in the U.S. The Death of a Salesman and The Atlanta Exposition Address both tell a story of men striving to achieve the American dream. In The Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman strives to make it rich by being a salesman. We are never told what Mr. Loman is selling and maybe this is so all individuals will relate to him.…

    • 948 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The American Dream is a term used to express the idea that in America, through hard work, someone can attain success and prosperity. The ideas of the American dream have been around for centuries. Everyone has their own version of the American Dream. Some believe the American dream is simply a myth, and some believe it is real. In “The Pursuit of Happyness” by Gabriele Muccino and “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, the authors have different views on the American Dream; Steinbeck believes the American Dream is unachievable while Muccino believes the American dream is attainable but only with hard work and enough ambition.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Jobless Ghettos Analysis

    • 1156 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In the United States, there is the belief that an individual, no matter who they are or where they come from, has the ability to succeed as long as they work hard for what they want to achieve. This belief is known as “The American Dream”. Despite “The American Dream” being a hegemonic belief, in reality it is not true. Within the United States there are systems that uphold inequality. These systems of inequality make it difficult for certain groups of people to achieve the so-called “American Dream” no matter their abilities.…

    • 1156 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Pew Research Team did a series of surveys asking people about racial equality: “The analysis finds that the economic gulf between blacks and whites that was present half a century ago largely remains” (Pew Research Team 630). Based on the surveys that were taken, the majority of people think that racial inequality is still a large issue today in areas such as household income, household wealth, and being above the poverty line. In all of these areas it was found that blacks are ranked significantly lower on the charts than whites. Both texts talk about racial inequality and how that hinders people from achieving the American Dream. Sometimes the people who achieve the American Dream are the ones who you would least…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Is the American Dream Feasible? The American Dream is the belief that prosperity and success are available to all Americans who work hard and are self-determined. Most Americans define the American Dream as earning a college degree, having an advanced job, taking vacations, owning their own home, and experiencing upward social mobility. Upward social mobility is referred to as the movement up the social class ladder.…

    • 1049 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    We all have dreams and goals in life, it doesn 't matter who it is, whether it’s someone poor or wealthy, we all want prosperity, opportunity and equality. The American Dream is not only one goal, we want to achieve, it’s a variety of goals we 'd like to accomplish, but everyone 's dream differs. People such as immigrants have crossed the United States border; left their homelands, families and all they know to live in a country they know nothing about to reach their goals and dreams. People do whatever it takes to make everything they have dreamed of come true because they have sacrificed all they have for a goal or goals.…

    • 1157 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Most people, if not all in the US always want to live the American dream at some point in their lives. But the question is, what is the meaning of the American dream, and how can people achieve this vague and elusive realisation? The American dream is a national philosophy or a belief that specifies the ideal factors such as democracy, freedom, rights and equality that accords every citizen equal opportunity to prosper and achieve their set goals (Glenn, 2002). The foundation of the American dream is deeply rooted in the declaration of independence that assert that “all men are created equal”. In simple terms, the American dream eliminates the artificial barriers to prosperity and promotes upward social mobility for every individual in the US depending on their hard work irrespective of their, social, religious, historical and racial background.…

    • 1562 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays