Is the American Dream Achievable or Just a Motivating Slogan

I. Introduction

Many people's lives are built on the principles of the American Dream, which has always been the core value of American culture. The culture suggests that everyone can become successful and wealthy if they work hard and struggle. Traditionally, this ideal has motivated millions of people to follow their dreams in the United States of America. However, in the present generation, the reality of the American Dream has received criticism regarding its accessibility. When relations are economical, inequities rise, and social barriers remain, one has to wonder if this song is actual or just ridiculous. This essay contends that the so-called 'American Dream' is a rallying call for many people in modern America because of the entrenched prejudices of economic discrimination, mutating social relations, and the very nature of work and achievement.

II. Body

A. Historical Perspective

The idea of the American dream started in the early part of the twentieth century. In his book "The Epic of America, published in 1931, James Truslow Adams referred to the American dream as such: the belief that life is to be better, richer, and fuller for everyone, with the promise of a better future for every individual if one works hard" (Enikő, 2021 p 8). This vision was born with the images of the American dream, which was associated with the opportunities in American society for a person ready to work and struggle. Currently, the American Dream has taken different dimensions over decades due to the changes that have occurred in the economy and society. Undoubtedly, the period after WWII, mainly the 50s and 60s, was the 'Golden Age of Capitalism'; for many, the American dream fell within their reach. However, the monetary policies that emerged in the 1980s did not address social factors, such as deregulation and tax cuts for wealth holders, and started to distance the poor from the rich (Foster & Clark, 2021, p 6). It refers to the advances in the tech industry, which again shifted and changed the economy from one angle to another. At the moment, people consider the American Dream differently. The idea still has cultural relevancy, although many citizens of the great States remain skeptical about it. According to Riggio (2021 p 2), “40 % of lower-income adults believe that the American dream is out of reach compared to 5% and 3% of higher-income adults.” This is a sign that the American dream is largely dependent on income.

B. Economic Realities

Income disparity is the main challenge hindering citizens from achieving the American Dream in the contemporary world. There has been a social inequality where the poor have continued to become poorer while the rich have grown more prosperous. The upper tenth of one percent of Americans own more assets than the lower nine-tenths of one percent of the same people (Foohey & Martin, 2021, p 482). This accumulation prevents people from changing their status in society, especially from the low-income bracket, and ensures they become wealthy. Costs such as the current cost of living and education intensify economic inequality. On this account, the cost of housing has immensely increased in the recent past across the countries and, more profoundly, in the urban centers where employment opportunities abound. At the same time, the level of expenses on the credit formation and the cost of education have been relentlessly rising. The National Center for Education Statistics also states that public four-year institutions' average tuition and fees rose by 213% between 1989 and 2019 (Foohey & Martin, 2021, p 482). Such obligations halt people's ability to better their lives and transition to a higher class.

C. Social and Structural Barriers

Racial and gender differences also work against the implementation of the American dream. These reports confirm a form of racism and sexism in the manner that education, employment, and income are provided. For instance, while male full-time, year-round workers' weekly wages are $717 on average, Black and Hispanic employees have lower median weekly earnings compared to white employees. “Data from the U. S. Census Bureau shows a slight decrease in the disparity of family wealth for black and white families. The median net income of white families reached $ 188,200 in 2019. This is 7.8 times greater than that of a typical black household, $ 24,100” (Broady & Hester, 2021 p 9). All these can be rooted in structural injustice that hinders the possibility of realization of the potential of minorities. Equity is another concern, and it has been observed that the quality of public education in wealthy areas is higher since schools are well-endowed. This leads to a cycle of deprivation in which children from low-income families are provided with low-quality education, thus restricting their chances for the future (Foohey & Martin, 2021, p 482). Rising costs of tuition and student debt cripple low-income and minority students, particularly students studying in colleges and universities.

D. Cultural and Psychological Factors

Change has also occurred concerning one's identity as a successful person. Previously, the primary goals in people's lives were 'to own a house, perfect employment, and be economically stable.' Current success is much more blurred and affected by social media, which often offers a glamorous and consumerist way of living. This shift can lead to unrealistic expectations, resulting in inadequacy and failure (Riggio, 2021, p 12). The circumstances stemming from pursuing the success story of the American Dream can cause specific psychological effects. It is because the daily chase for success can take its toll on one's mental health and trigger stress and anxiety disorders, for instance. Foohey & Martin (2021 P 469) discovered that persons who feel they do not live up to their own or social standards are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues. This goes to show that risking our health is a result of pursuing our dreams and that there is a need to maintain a balance between the dream and health.

III. Counterarguments

Social reality proves the American Dream is possible, and many examples can be mentioned. These relevant and inspirational narratives of arriving immigrants who developed their businesses through dint of sweat and gall can go a long way in glorifying the aspiration one can achieve in the United States of America. For example, technology has birthed so many billionaires right from scratch. Thus, the spirit of entrepreneurship is an essential factor that characterizes the American economy. America is still a country of opportunities for individuals with ideas and visions to polish and develop, and it continues to be the world's innovator. “A baby boomer cited that his grandmother who is an interior designer, is a role model in Archiving the American dream because she is in a position to travel the world and interact with famous designers. High-profile jobs and luxury lifestyles have become crucial to some people’s idea of success. These examples all revolve around money, affluence, and material items” (Riggio, 2021, p 12). Thus, it can be concluded that the American Dream remains a reality for those who have the guts to sacrifice everything, including their jobs, and start a business.

Rebuttal

Unfortunately, success stories are still the exception to the norm despite the concept being well-accepted. Arguably, for every success story of integrated housing, many others encounter insurmountable challenges. This realization is essential because systemic barriers keep similar opportunities from becoming a reality for many people. One must understand that being an entrepreneur means the businessperson embraces high risks and does not have a hundred percent chance of making the enterprise succeed. New start-ups suffer from high mortality rates, and the existing business environment is inaccessible for any company. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic affected many small businesses, forcing their closure as a sign of vulnerability in the business world (Foohey & Martin, 2021, P 14). Though the government and community initiate respective programs, they also have a restricted scope and effectiveness. The impact of such initiatives is usually limited due to limited funding and excessive bureaucratic procedures. However, these programs cannot, on their own, deal with the root causes of the problem that sustains the cycle of discrimination.

IV. Conclusion

In conclusion, the desire denoted by the American Dream is still present in the population, but the possibility of achieving it in the current meaning is still not present. There are threats, such as systemic economic inequalities, which see certain groups in society locked out of the job market and specific social barriers, and finally, the changing nature of success in employment and general society. Solving these problems will necessitate another changing policy, increased education and healthcare spending, and a shift of people's paradigms regarding true success. Thus, by looking into the barriers above and overcoming them, it may be possible to move towards the vision of America as a country where the American dream is attainable for everyone.