The American Dream, what exactly is it? Is it a physical or mental thing? Is it a thing at all or is it just a concept that seems to be instilled deep within the hearts and minds of every American? The American Dream, according to James Truslow Adams in 1931, explains the American Dream as, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.” In the Declaration of Independence (though not directly stated) the American Dream is mentioned as, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” So what exactly does that all mean? Is life better and fuller for everyone and does everyone in this country have an equal opportunity? Some would argue yes and some would argue no. It just depends on who you are asking.
In the 20th century, the American Dream was seen as a white picket fenced house in the suburbs, a car, a wife and kids (for men), and of course, man’s trusted companion and best friend, a dog. Maybe, if you were lucky, a small boat and the potential to vacation in some exotic vacation spot or to even have a vacation home at the beach. It meant having a good job and being able to support your family. Typically, the American wife was a stay at home mom and did house chores to support the family while the husband was at work. Baseball and football games were the staples of the American lifestyle and one was capable of having a good paying occupation without having to attend college. Of course, throughout the course of history these roles and quite frankly, these ideals have changed.
Today, in the 21st century, woman typically work in occupations that mainly men only occupied until recent years. Today, it is also almost nearly impossible to have a decent paying occupation without attending a four year college and then at the end of those four years, most who graduated are now indebted up to their eyeballs for too many years to come. Owning a home now seems more difficult than ever and homeownership in America is down to roughly 63% in 2015 .Many Americans today rent their homes because buying just doesn’t seem like a financial possibility. Buying a car also seems like something that just is not possible whatsoever. In 1966, just 50 years ago, the average car costed roughly $2,600 and the average price of gas costed only 32¢. In 2016, the average car costs $33,500 and the average gas price nationally costs just over $2, which in fact is the cheapest the average cost of gas has been since 2009. Credit card debt is also another major setback for many American families and the average credit card debt an American will have is roughly $15,675. The average middle class American might even work two jobs just so that their family can be financially secure.
With all of these numbers and facts staring us right in the face, having that small boat or vacationing in an exotic part of the world or even having a small little shack at the beach seems so far out of reach for the average American today in 2016. Americans today seem so lost and seem to have abandoned the ideals of the American Dream since they struggle on a day to day basis to just pay bills and buy food for their family. Instead of striving for something better, many Americans simply accept the fact that they will never become financially successful and never strive to reach the potential that they are destined to achieve as an American.
So is the American Dream dead or alive today in the 21st century? Can we revive it or should we totally abandon it as an outdated belief that isn’t meant for us today? Should we blame the system or even politics or the economy for the death of this dream?
With all of these negativities and hard to swallow facts for me, an 18 year old college kid, the future in America looks so gloomy and hard to see. However, I believe that I am an old (young) soul here to make a difference in this world and bring America back to the glory she once enjoyed. I do not believe that the American Dream is dead. I believe that this dream is a dream that can be revived and brought back out of the shadows. America needs to work together and help each other get back on its feet. This country was built on the principles of opportunity for all and I can guarantee that if we all work together to rebuild America, she can be restored to the glory of the country that defeated the world’s greatest military force even though the odds were not in her favor; won two world wars; put a man on the moon, and created technologies that changed the way that we live to this day and continues to do so.
The American Dream is not dead, just asleep and we need to wake it up. The American Dream isn’t a dream, it’s a way of life. It is loving this country; watching sunsets/sunrises on the beach with the love of your life; drinking beer with good friends and family; visiting the countryside on the weekends or tailgating for your favorite sports team. It’s enjoying the simple things in life and not taking them for granted. It’s all about seeing an opportunity and taking it because something is better than nothing.
Yes we are worse off than we have been in recent years and it is much harder to live than it ever has been but no matter what, never lose hope for the future. Just because things look gloomy and dark right now; even on the darkest nights, morning always comes and a brighter day is ahead for this country. The American Dream is inside of everyone and it is capable of being achieved for every American from coast to coast. All you have to do is take a leap of faith and follow your dreams and that white picket fenced house, nice car, good job, and loving family is out there just waiting for you. God Bless America.
-Conall Seamus Smith 10/24/2016
