The American Dream: Dead or Alive?
Many who see the American Dream as being able to do financially better than their parents may get disappointing results. While those who see it as a chance for freedom, healthcare, 401k plans, and paid vacation are claiming to live the American Dream.
The original vision behind the American Dream was that each generation would be more successful than their parents. However, many Americans claim that they are far behind where their parents were in past generations.
The American Dream has been a driving influence for many immigrants to enter the United States, but Mr. Jillson told the Christian Science Monitor that "Since 1973, median family income has been essentially flat."
The Christian Science Monitor also states that according to a news survey by CBS News, 48 percent of people 17 through 29 years old claimed that they wouldn't be more successful than their parents were, while only 25 percent claimed that they would be better off.
According to a Pew report (the Christian Science Monitor), men in their 30s are bringing home around $5,000 less than their parent's generation. Still, families that include men in their 30s bring home about $4,000 more in annual income than their parent's generation. The reason, women are working.
Our parent's generation typically survived on only the income of one parent, usually the father. Whether women are working because they choose to be "career moms" or not, it seems that many need to in order to support their families.
Some experts say that tallying wage alone is an inaccurate way to gauge income. Our current generation has commodities that our parent's generation did not. We have things such as paid vacations, health insurance, and 401k plans. All of these things should contribute to the total they say.
Still some Americans do not base the American Dream on monetary wealth alone. Many view the freedoms that America provides a good enough example that the American Dream is still thriving. Joseph Nemorin (a legal resident who emigrated from Haiti) told the Christian Science Monitor, "If you come to work, you don't get in trouble ... you should be doing fine, just like me."
There doesn't seem to be one united consensus on whether or not the American Dream has vanished for good. No matter what most Americans think though, the American Dream is still remains a dream and a hopeful outcome for many people around the world.
Peter Grier, "American dream still burns bright for many - but results vary." The Christian Science Monitor. URL : http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0703/p01s04-ussc.html?page=1
Published by Fiona Johnson
If mankind minus one were of one opinion, then mankind is no more justified in silencing the one than the one - if he had the power - would be justified in silencing mankind.- John Stuart Mill View profile
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- The original vision behind the American Dream was that each generation would be more successful.
- Many claim that the American Dream has become a thing of the past.
- The American Dream still remains a hopeful outcome to many people around the world.