Question

There is a lot of talk about whether or not the “American Dream” is still a reality in the United States. What is the American Dream? To what extent, in your opinion, is the promise of this dream still true?

Answer 1

American Dream is regarded as the national ideal of the United States of America, which supports that any person irrespective of his or her birthplace or class can achieve his or her aspired success in a society blessed with upward mobility for everyone. It is said that the American Dream is obtainable via sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, instead of chance. In other words, American Dream stands for equality of opportunity for every American for the attainment of his or her highest dreams. The term "American Dream" was framed by a writer and historian, namely James Truslow Adams in his 1931 best-seller book namely, "Epic of America." It is important to note that homeownership and education are considered to be the ways for realizing the American Dream. The Dream was framed by the Founding Fathers to spur a prospering society. To help Americans achieve this dream, a government, more specifically, The Declaration of Independence, was framed that protected the specific right for everyone.

With time, the materialistic basis of the American Dream gained supremacy. The U.S. history testifies for the change in the definition of happiness. The dream started defining protection of opportunities for the acquisition of material objects. Greed-based attainment of happiness was not achievable, which was proved by the stock market crash of 1929s and the Great Depression of 1930s. Post the Depression, the concept of the American Dream was thought of as an attainment of material gains. For President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the attainment of happiness was defined by decent housing, a good job, education, and health care. President Truman's Fair Deal extended the term to the concept of entitlement. In other words, if an American worked hard and followed rules, the government was expected to guarantee financial security, education, health care, and a home to that American. It is important to note that the two former U.S Presidents namely, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush related homeownership to the Dream. In 2008, Hillary Clinton had put forward her American Dream Plan, which comprised of homeownership, college, retirement, and health insurance for children. Obama attached the Dream to health care with the Affordable Care Act.

It is important to note that the Great Depression and the escalating income inequality caused only injuries to the materialistic aspect of the American Dream, not the Dream itself. The promise of the American Dream is still true because the concept of the Dream has started reflecting the values of the country. An example towards the fulfillment of the promise is the attention to the key concepts like a meaningful life, contributing to community and society, valuing nature, and spending time with family and friends. To realize the American Dream, it is important to turn back to the vision of its Founding Fathers that also included the right to clean air, water, and plenty of natural resources.