Is the American Dream Still Achievable?
Many modern sociologists are concerned if the American dream is still achievable to all Americans and it is an issue which has been subject to debate in the 21st century. The America of yore was known as the land of opportunities, as it was described as a country which gave opportunities to all in pursuit of success. However, the American dream as perpetuated by pop culture is interpreted as having a posh house in the suburbs, driving fancy cars, having holidays, homes with swimming pools, lawns, and driveways. The American dream according to the pop culture is about the social mobility and personal gratification up the social ladder. For others, it can mean having more time with friends, being connected and living a hustle-free life.
The American dream is still achievable, but not to all Americans as people do not have the same willpower, passion and personal drive for success. Tom Hiller is denoted that the path to success as being long and uneasy, but it takes passion, sheer hard work, and passionfor being successful in life (Rank, Hirschl and Foster 76). However, achieving the American dream has become more robust as globalization has made access to opportunities even rarer. The more people attempt to move up the social ladder regarding education, skill, knowledge; they are needed to have extra skill sets and personal drive to succeed in their area of specialization.
What makes the American dream achievable is because American gives all Americans the opportunities to succeed. America offers freedoms which are protected by law to pursue whatever dream possible as long as it within the confines of what is legal. It gives the citizens the opportunity to succeed on their own terms, be self-sufficient and independent. Being given freedom and access to explore opportunities is an aspect which makes Americans desire to achieve the American dream if they have the personal drive and passion for it.
The American dream has been equated to fame and fortunes, which all agree has become harder to achieve in the 21st century. However, the American dream as perpetuated by pop culture is not how much is the bank, but the aspect of securing the future. This is an aspect which every person in America can achieve because the best things are free. The country has given opportunities for the society to have a social order where everyone will be able to attain full personal stature which they are innately capable (Callahan 269). For those Americans who believe the American dream is not possible, usually peg it to quick get-rich schemes, gender, and racial discriminations as barriers from achieving the American dream.
However, America has given laws and policies which extended rights to women and other minority groups, so that the current generation to be better than the one before it.
To conclude, the American dream is achievable because the American nation has given the ideal that every person can achieve prosperity and success through determination, hard work, and initiative. American reality Tv show host Oprah Winfrey, who is one of the most influential and successful women in the world an embodiment that with determination, anyone can overcome life obstacles and achieve the American dream. If children from African American parentage can become president, children born and raised in poverty can become successful lawyers and doctors, school dropouts can be successful entrepreneurs and athletes, or immigrant children can later become governors, then the American dream is achievable to all.
Works cited
Callahan, William A. "Dreaming As A Critical Discourse Of National Belonging: China Dream, American Dream, And World Dream." Nations and Nationalism 23.2 (2017): 248-270. Web.
Rank, Mark R, Thomas A Hirschl, and Kirk A Foster. Chasing The American Dream. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2016. Print.
Comments