America can be defined in many ways- Home of the free, Land of the brave, the Land of opportunity. As a nation, America has illustrated resiliency through hardships, as well as the importance of a great deal in effort. Although, is the american dream achievable for all or simply just a dream? Here is the truth about our nation: the presence of opportunities may influence an individual 's hope for the future, but the overall culture of a family or community affects the extent to which an individual takes advantage of the opportunities given. I believe everyone has a chance at achieving opportunities, despite the differences of each and every environment. Whether an individual is born in America or coming from another country, the significance …show more content…
However, overtime, America’s attitude toward the American Dream has changed, which is hindering success. We can all agree that wanting to be successful while having a hopeless mindset contradicts the purpose of hard work. Many Americans are pessimistic, carrying negative mindsets that make it harder for them to achieve greater things. Based on an article “Is the American dream really dead?”, Carol Graham found that “poor people in the US were 20 times less likely to believe hard work would get them ahead than were the poor in Latin America, even though the latter are significantly worse off in material terms”. These people live in poorer conditions and come from a country that grants them less opportunities. If these citizens are proven to be more optimistic than Americans, it is clear that there is an issue with how we view the world. In America, many individuals stress more about the gap between the rich and poor; who has it all and who doesn’t. Graham continues to state that “being poor in a very wealthy and unequal country-which eschews social support for those who fall behind- results in especially high levels of stress and desperation”. As someone is struggling to keep up with society’s expectations along with many other struggles, it may be difficult to remain positive. But if Americans focus and aim toward the right things, this …show more content…
On the road toward the american dream, there will be ups and downs, which is why having a positive influence and guidance is a major foundation for success. In an article written by Jim Demint, “America, though challenged, still the land of opportunity”, he describes the lessons he has learned through his early life experiences, coming from a struggling family. Demint states that “while we pulled our weight, the more we did, the more we felt we could do and more confidence we gained”. Growing up in a single parent household, his mother showed him the importance of hard work and personal responsibility, which opened up more opportunities in the long run. Many people believe that certain living environments do not provide support or the ability to excel further in life, but what they do not realize is that guidance can be given; a positive model to look up to will always be found. It is not a matter of where you are placed on the social ladder or where you are from, but who is willing to seek guidance. Raised in Southern Ohio, J.D. Vance emphasizes the struggle of young individuals who live in tough communities and the lack of upward mobility. Vance explains in his TED Talk, “America’s forgotten working class”, that his grandmother made a big impact on his success, reminding him to “never be like those losers who think the deck is stacked against them. You can do anything you want to”. It is important to find someone who is
In the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” by Gabriele Muccino, the main character had a hardship in life to get a job. However, he worked harder than others to achieve the position in the work place. He was successful in the movie due to his hard work. He had a great work ethic that helped him succeed and achieve the American dream. Just like the main character in the movie, there are many people in American society who works extremely hard to achieve the American dream and to make the society better.
Only a small group of people have the skills it takes to solve the puzzle that is the American Dream. This belief can be seen
To Be an American One Must Be Determined To be an American you don’t have to be born in America or white. America is the most diverse country in the world. One thing all Americans share are how determined they are. To be an American is to be determined in the American enlightenment, American romanticism, American realist, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn all shared this common characteristic.
The American Dream was created for all to be equal with the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A dream is a series of thoughts on possibilities one can attain, hence, only one can choose to believe in the American Dream and if it’s achievable. In particular, Steve Tobak’s article called The American Dream is Alive and Well focuses on the opportunity Americans have unlike others and that the dream is attainable by all who work for it. A book by John Winthrop called City Upon a Hill implies that all men are capable of anything if they put God first. The American dream should make life fuller for all, provide happiness, and lead every American to believe they can do anything.
The American dream is not as easy as people say it is. The American Dream is being able to afford the necessities you need, without having to struggle and suffer just to put food on a table for their families. People think it’s easy to live the American Dream, but little do they know that there are people out there struggling to support their family. The American Dream is difficult to achieve but very possible if people could find the opportunity and available to them.
Was made in 1996, post-Cold War era, where individualism was a rising ideology. This meant that an individual's self-worth was determined by their goals and achievements as opposed to being predetermined by God. With this came the “American Dream”, a growing ideal where equal opportunities are provided to all Americans to achieve their goals and
The American dream is having equality, a voice to be heard and stability in one’s life. However, the American Dream is just that, a dream. It cannot be attained because of the power of our government, the ignorant minds of others and the constant want for more. What should be trivial factors in life, such as: race, gender, social class, wealth, etc., all have a significant effect on the impractical American dream. the “TED Talks” video proves this.
Author Robert McKinnon in his work, “Moving Up: The Truth about Getting Ahead in America” has discussed factors that affect our chances of achieving the American Dream. In the article, "Moving Up: The Truth about Getting Ahead in America" Robert McKinnon argues that “it is easier to stay at the top then it is to rise from the bottom.” Throughout the article McKinnon illustrates the three most important factors when it comes to moving up in the social class to achieve the American Dream this includes: mobility, hard work, and the fate of our birth. Although McKinnon proved all these factors to be vital when it comes to living the American Dream, I believe that hard work is the most important when it comes to achieving the American Dream.
The American Dream is so essential to our country as it is an honor to reach your goals and make it a reality. The American Dream is the national ethos that people’s lives would be better and more abundant with many opportunities. The American Dream was more accessible to attain back in the days, however, changed over the years. Although the “American Dream” is still possible, many people, minorities are affected by the lack of improvement in social mobility in our society. The American Dream is still alive by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and by obtaining it through perseverance and hard-work.
In the novella Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck makes an underlying innuendo of an unachievable , often hoped for “American dream”. In today’s society we are constantly chasing the next big thing. Our society is always yearning for something more. Of Mice and Men teaches us that constantly wanting more and never being satisfied will lead to unhappiness and chaos in the future. Steinbeck includes the ideals of wealthiness, hard work, and the American dream to often throw in a type of “hard working mentality” that shows how America is positive in many ways.
The United States of America is a big, powerful and wealthy country in the world. The division of class, individuality, religion, and race are but a few of the embellishments within the society. The blend of these numerous diversities is the crucial ingredient to the modern nation. America has been formed upon them, with that said the “average American”- have a single means in common; a single concept; a single goal; the American Dream. The Dream consists of a seemingly simple theory; success.
Annotated Bibliography Cohen, M. (2014, April 26). The American Dream is now just that for its middle classes – a dream. The Guardian, p. 00. “The American Dream is now just that for its middle classes – a dream” by Michael Cohen explains the perception of Americans towards the decline of the middle class. The article details how the middle class was viewed before the elections of President Obama, and how it’s viewed after the creation of the Affordable Care Act.
No matter who you are or where you have come from, you have undoubtedly heard of the American Dream. The idea that no matter who you are or where you have come from, you can do whatever it is you desire in America. What was once one the main driving forces for immigrants to flock to the new world, has slowly changed over the years, but still holds its value in the eyes of those who are looking for a promising new place to live. The American dream might not hold the same awe inspiring sound that it once did, but for many generations before ours it was a beacon of hope that helped build the foundation that the United States was built on. And, still, today the American dream might not be as achievable as it once was, but it is still an important
The American dream is always an opportunity for anyone in this world, but the way they you achieve the dream is what really matters. Anyone seeking the American dream has a lot of work on their hands. Some people want this dream because in their own country they do not have safety or freedom. Some people also wants this dream because in their lives they do not have happiness, so they look towards this "dream" to help them financially.
Impossible Dreams The meaning of the American Dream can be seen as ”A uniquely American vision of the country consisting of three central ideas. The American dream consists of a belief in America as the new Eden- a land of beauty, bounty, and unlimited promise; a feeling of optimism, created by ever expanding opportunity; and a confidence in the triumph of the individual.” Using this definition of the so called “American dream”, it seems to be a great representation of it at first, until you realize it includes everyone as the individual. From the beginning of the Civil war to the end of the War to End All Wars, the American Dream wasn’t possible due to the treatment of the Native Americans, the inequality between women and men, and the false promises given to the immigrants coming to our country in their time of need.