The American Dream is the idea that anyone in the US can be successful through hard work and lead a happy life. It has been broadened to include freedom, fulfillment, and relationships. However, critics argue that inequality prevents everyone from achieving it. The concept dates back to the 1600s and is often described as an average life. Some see it as an opportunity to improve on the past, but discrimination can inhibit success. Personal fulfillment may be more important than wealth or property ownership.
The term “American dream” is used in many ways, but essentially it is an idea that suggests that anyone in the United States can be successful through hard work and has the potential to lead a happy and successful life. Many people have broadened or refined the definition to include things like freedom, fulfillment, and meaningful relationships. Someone who achieves their version of the American dream is often said to be “living the dream”. This concept has come under criticism, because some people believe that the structure of society in the United States prevents everyone from such an idealistic goal. Critics often point to examples of inequality rooted in class, race, religion, and ethnicity that suggest the American dream isn’t attainable for everyone.
History
The idea of an American dream is older than the United States, dating back to the 1600s, when people started having all sorts of hopes and aspirations for what was a new and largely uncharted continent for European immigrants. Many of these dreams centered around owning land and establishing a thriving business that, at least in theory, would increase one’s happiness. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, authors wrote frequently about the idealistic American dream, codifying the concept somewhat and ingraining it in American society.
Stereotypical dream
The American Dream is often described as perfectly average. For example, some people might say it’s about being married, having two kids, and living in a three bedroom house with a white picket fence. Rather than being based on great wealth or success, this version of the dream may be based more on avoiding things like poverty and loneliness.
Improve on the past
Some say the American dream represents a desire to live a better life than the previous generation and that there is a legitimate opportunity for that to happen. The desire of many parents is for their children to lead a happy life. This is especially true among immigrants, because many of them have fled under extremely difficult circumstances to their home countries.
criticisms
The idealistic view of the American dream often ignores discrimination based on a person’s race, religion, gender, and national origin, which could inhibit their ability to achieve specific goals. Critics also point out that many versions of the dream equate prosperity with happiness and that happiness is possible without wealth or even in poverty. For some people, the American Dream may be more about personal fulfillment than financial success or property ownership.
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