The American Dream

[Nicole8188]

I think my vision of the American Dream is similar to element's. Back in the day, America was seen as a place where people could come to be free and live their lives in whatever way pleased them. Nothing was thrown on you, you were free to have your own beliefs and go to school and get whatever jobs you wanted.

Now, I still kind of think it's that, although some foreigners don't see that anymore. In my mind, America allows you to live whatever dream you want to.

[Oz]

No, America lets you live whatever dream fits in with the "collective morals". What if I want to come to America to get pregnant, have abortions and smoke dope? It's just not gonna happen, because it isn't a free society. Not even close.

[sidewayzS13]

i think the american dream differs depending on whether or not you a citizen or a illegal immigrant

[Nicole8188]

Meh...whatever.

Good thing my dream isn't to be a pregnant crackhead...

[RickwithaTbird]

I agree with sv650. I think the American Dream generally refers to the ability to accomplish whatever you want to accomplish. And I think the reason it's called the "American" dream is because back in the day, the only place in the world you could live freely and have no limits to your dreams was America. It's not that all Americans generally have the same dream. Rather, all immigrants dreamt of getting to America and having no limit to their success.
The American Dream.

[Muscletang]

Wikipedia has a nice article here...

American Dream

The American Dream is the faith held by many in the United States of America that through hard work, courage, and determination one can achieve a better life for oneself, usually through financial prosperity. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to subsequent generations. What the American Dream has become is a question under constant discussion, and some believe that it has led to an emphasis on material wealth as a measure of success and/or happiness.

The American Dream today

In the 20th century, the American Dream had its challenges. The Great Depression caused widespread hardship during the 1930s, and was almost a reverse of the dream for those directly affected. Racial instability did not disappear, and in some parts of the country racial violence was almost commonplace. There was concern about the undemocratic campaign known as McCarthyism carried on against suspected Communists.

Since the end of World War II, young American families have sought to live the suburbs that were built up around major cities. This led to the rise of the relatively conservative 1950s, when many pursued the "perfect family" as a part or consequence of the American Dream. This period was shattered by a new generation of young people who embraced the hippie values of the 1960s, denying traditional values such as the American Dream. In modern times, the American Dream is seen as a possible accomplishment, as all children can go to school and get an education. Though the drive to it waned during those years, the dream itself has never died out.

In the 1990s, the pursuit of the American Dream could be seen in the Dot-com boom. People in U.S., as well as the world poured their energy into the new Gold Rush - the Internet. It was again driven by the same faith that by one's ingenuity and hardwork, anyone can become successful in America. Ordinary people started new companies from their garages and became millionaires. This new chapter of the American Dream again became the beacon to the world and attracted many entrepreneurial people from China and India to Silicon Valley to form startups, and seek fortune in America.

Example of the American Dream

A recent example of the American Dream being realized is the case of Tamir Sapir. An immigrant from the former Soviet republic of Georgia, Sapir arrived in America in 1973 and started as a taxicab driver in New York City. Saving up to buy an electronics store, he catered primarily to Russian clientele. Eventually he made contacts with the Soviet contingent to the United Nations in New York, and traded electronics for oil contracts, which he then sold to American companies. Investing the profits in Manhattan real estate, he became a billionaire by 2002, less than thirty years after arriving penniless in America. Like many rags to riches stories, his is a unique one that would be hard to replicate. Yet today Sapir is becoming known as America's "billionaire cabbie."

Criticism

The main criticism is that the American Dream is misleading. These critics say that, for various reasons, it simply is not possible for everyone to become prosperous through determination and hard work alone. The consequences of this belief can include the poor feeling that it is their fault that they are not successful. It can also result in less effort towards helping the poor since their poverty is seen as "proof" of their laziness. The concept of the American Dream also ignores other factors of success such as luck, family, language, and wealth one is born into (although proponents of the dream would claim that starting wealth is irrelevant because of the belief that there is no level of poverty one cannot rise from with hard work). It also fails to take inheritable traits such as intelligence and physical attributes into account.

The American Dream is seen by critics as being somewhat superficial or meaningless.

Particular Criticism

Unequal access to higher education
Wealth retention
Economies of scale
Genetic lottery
Ethical differences

SOURCE


All that aside though what is the American Dream? You must ask yourself though, what is the American Dream TO YOU?

For me, the American Dream is to find a nice paying job that I like, settle down with a nice wife, maybe some kids, and probably most importantly is before I die I know I really accomplished something in my life. Whether it's finacial security, continueing my genes, writing a life changing best selling book, doing some of the things I always wanted to do that most people don't or feel they can't do, or just knowing that I did a good job in life and I'm at peace when I go.

That's me though, your American Dream could be to get drunk and streak every single Super Bowl until you die.