What Is the American Dream?
The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society in which upward mobility is possible for everyone.
The American dream is believed to be achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance.
Key Takeaways
- The term "American dream" was coined in a best-selling book in 1931 titled Epic of America.
- James Truslow Adams described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."
- The American dream was aided by a number of factors that gave the United States a competitive advantage over other countries.
- Homeownership and education are often seen as paths to achieving the American dream.
- Though the definition of the American Dream has changed to mean different things to different generations, it's undoubtedly part of the American ethos, and likely always will be.
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American Dream
Understanding the American Dream
The term was coined by writer and historianJames Truslow Adams in his best-selling 1931 book Epic of America.He described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."
Adams went on to explain,"It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motorcars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."
The idea of the American dream has much deeper roots. Its tenetscan be found in the Declaration of Independence, which states: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
In a society based on these principles, an individual can live life to its fullest as they define it. America also grew mostly as a nation of immigrants who created a nation where becoming an American—and passing that citizenship to your children—didn't require being the child of an American.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the American Dream
Advantages
Achieving the American dream requires political and economic freedom, as well as rules of law and private property rights. Without them, individuals cannot make the choices that will permit them to attain success, nor can they have confidence that their achievements will not be taken away from them through arbitrary force.
The American dream promises freedom and equality. It offers the freedom to make both the large and small decisions that affect one’s life, the freedom to aspire to bigger and better things and the possibility of achieving them, the freedom to accumulate wealth, the opportunity to lead a dignified life, and the freedom to live in accordance with one’s values—even if those values are not widely held or accepted.
Thebooks of post-Civil War writer Horatio Alger, in which impoverished but hardworking teenage boys rise to success through pluck, determination, and good fortune, came to personify realizing the Dream.
The American dream also offers the promise that the circumstances of someone's birth—including whether they were born American citizens or immigrants—do not completely determine their future.
Disadvantages
Terming it a "dream" also carries with it the notion that these ideals aren't necessarily what has played out in the lives of many actual Americans and those who hope to become Americans. The criticism that reality falls short of the American dream is at least as old as the idea itself. The spread of settlers into Native American lands, slavery, the limitation of the vote (originally) to white male landowners, and a long list of other injustices and challenges have undermined the realization of the dream for many who live in the United States.
As income inequality has increased substantially since the 1970s, the American dream has begun to seem less attainable for those who aren't already affluent or born into affluence. According to U.S. Census family income data, real family income began to grow much more among the top income group than among other segments of American society.
These realities, however, do not diminish the luster of the American dream as an ideal and a beacon to all nations.
Pros
The American dream promises freedom and equality.
The ideals of the American dream are motivating, including the freedom to be in charge of one's own life.
Cons
The reality of the American dream often falls short of the idea itself.
As income inequality has increased, the American dream has seemed less attainable.
How to Measure the American Dream
Today, homeownership is frequently cited as an example of attaining the American dream. It is a symbol of financial success and independence, and it means the ability to control one’s own dwelling place instead of being subjectto the whims of a landlord. Owning a business and being one’s own boss also represents the American dream fulfillment. In addition, access to education and healthcare havebeen cited as elements of the Dream.
Homeownership has steadily increased over time in the U.S., reflecting a key aspect of owning your own property as a sign of achieving the American Dream. For example, the homeownership rate at the end of 2020 was 65.8%, reflecting an increase of 0.7% higher than the previous year. Entrepreneurship has always been important to the U.S. economy too. In 2019, small businesses created 1.6 million net jobs alone.
Owning property, one's own business, and carving a life of one's own making is all part of the American dream, and the U.S. as a first-world country also offers the benefits of pursuing these passions, without having to worry about basics such as accessing good education and healthcare.
Special Considerations
In her book Spreading the American Dream: American Economic and Cultural Expansion, 1890-1945, sociologist Emily S. Rosenberg identifies five components of the American dream that have shown up in countries around the world. These include the following:
- The belief that other nations should replicate America's development
- Faith in a free market economy
- Support for free trade agreements and foreign direct investment
- Promotion of a free flow of information and culture
- Acceptance of government protection of private enterprise
The American dream was aided by a number of factors that gave the United States a competitive advantage over other countries. For starters, it is relatively isolated geographically, compared to many other countries, and enjoys a temperate climate. It has a culturally diverse population that businesses use to foster innovation in a global landscape. Abundant natural resources—including oil, arable land,andlong coastlines—generate food and income for the country and its residents.
“The American Dream” has always been about the prospect of success, but 100 years ago, the phrase meant the opposite of what it does now. The original “American Dream” was not a dream of individual wealth; it was a dream of equality, justice, and democracy for the nation used in the early 1900s The phrase was repurposed by each generation, until the Cold War, when it became an argument for a consumer capitalist version of democracy. Our ideas about the “American Dream” froze in the 1950s. Today, it doesn’t occur to anybody that it could mean anything else.
What Is the Original American Dream?
The phrase “American dream” was often used by Progressive-era reformers of the 1900s. Rather than exalting the pursuit of wealth, they sought to tame monopoly capitalism and protect workers and communities from robber barons. This concept was popularized by writer and historianJames Truslow Adams in his best-selling 1931 book Epic of America.He described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."
What Are Examples of the American Dream?
Examples of the American Dream include owning your own house, starting a family, and having a stable job or owning your own business.
Is the American Dream Still Achievable?
It's widely debated if the American Dream is still achievable, and what that achievement even entails. Indeed, today, many people wonder if they can keep up with rising housing costs and interest payments on loans needed to purchase things like homes and cars. Moreover, American's need to save for their own retirement and pay large out-of-pocket costs for healthcare and higher education, which can leave families saddled with high-interest debt that is hard to crawl back from.
What Is the American Dream in Dr. Martin Luther King's Speech?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech referenced the concept of the American dream by stating: "I have a dream that one daythis nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.'" Since the early 1960s, Dr. King had pondered and preached about how African Americans didn't get a chance to access the reality of the American dream because they were not truly equal to white men and women. Ultimately, Dr. King's "American dream" was equality.
How Has the American Dream Changed?
Over time, the American dream has shifted from an ethos of equality and solidarity to one of individualistic competition to succeed materialistically, fueled by consumption. In the 1990s and early 2000s, mortgage company Fannie Mae began promulgating the notion that buying a home was a cornerstone of the American Dream, and use the term prominently in ads selling home loans. This ideology led to the housing boom and ultimate bubble that popped ultimately, leading to the 2008-09 financial crisis.
The Bottom Line
The concept of the American dream is still one of the most uniquely "American" ideals—the ultimate idea that any individual should be able to pursue their dreams and build the life they want if they put in the hard work. This motivating drive influences the economy with entrepreneurship and individual ambition, infusing a romantic notion to anyone trying to be successful in the United States. Though the definition of the American Dream has changed to mean different things to different generations, it's undoubtedly part of the American ethos, and always will be.
FAQs
What is an example of the American Dream? ›
Examples of the American Dream include owning your own house, starting a family, and having a stable job or owning your own business.
What is the American Dream short answer? ›No less an authority than the Oxford English Dictionary defines the American dream as “the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.”
Who is a great example of the American Dream? ›John D. Rockefeller is a positive example of a person who achieved the American Dream. He came from a low socioeconomic background and worked hard to become one of the richest men in America.
What is the American Dream and how do you achieve it? ›The American Dream is the national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals including representative democracy, rights, liberty, and equality, in which freedom is interpreted as the opportunity for individual prosperity and success, as well as upward social mobility for oneself and their children, achieved through ...
What are the 3 American Dreams? ›The original “American Dream” was not a dream of individual wealth; it was a dream of equality, justice and democracy for the nation.
What is the American Dream of today? ›The American dream today is having a sense of community while achieving financial success regardless of their initial social status. Everyone should feel included and have endless opportunities. While the American dream is always evolving, this is a dream that remains consistent over time.
What are aspects of the American Dream? ›This set of ideals – which includes notions of individual rights, freedom, democracy, and equality – is arguably centered around the belief that each individual has the right and freedom to seek prosperity and happiness, regardless of where or under what circumstances they were born.
How did the American Dream affect people? ›THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM
The American Dream has been a long-time model of prosperity for both American's and people around the world. “The charm of anticipated success” has brought millions of immigrants to America, looking for equal opportunity and a better life.
For many people the American Dream defines the American identity. The American dream means individualism, gaining control of one's life, and the pursuit of happiness and upward mobility. However, the American Dream is not a universal concept that ensures success and equality.
Is the American Dream still alive today? ›There are 420 counties where the American Dream is alive and well: places that are both prosperous and conducive to upwards economic mobility. Seventy-two percent of the country's most prosperous counties fall into this category, supporting the correlation between prosperity and mobility.
What is an example of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby? ›
Gatsby's love for Daisy led him to achieve extravagant wealth. In the sense of rising up social rank and obtaining financial success, Gatsby achieved the American Dream. Despite the wealth that Gatsby achieved, Fitzgerald conveys that materialism of the American Dream does not guarantee happiness.
Is the American Dream happiness? ›Happiness is a core part of the American dream. As the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence reminds us, the pursuit of happiness is one of our unalienable rights, alongside life and liberty.
What is another word for American Dream? ›| good life | bed of roses |
|---|---|
| life of Riley | hog heaven |
| easy street | comfort |
| luxury | the good life |
| good fortune | well-being |
The American Dream is the pursuit of prosperity and opportunity that drives people to push their own limits and persevere in order to lead successful lives and achieve whatever goals they set.
What is the American Dream quotes? ›“The American Dream belongs to all of us.” “The faith that anyone could move from rags to riches – with enough guts and gumption, hard work and nose to the grindstone – was once at the core of the American Dream.” “The American Dream is a phrase we'll have to wrestle with all our lives.
What are the two faces of the American Dream? ›The American dream, in other words, has two faces: the one communally egalitarian and the other competitively elitist.
What are the main themes of American dreams? ›The American Dream theme encompasses crucial values, such asfreedom, democracy, equal rights, and personal happiness. The concept's definition varies from person to person.
How the American Dream has changed? ›If people fear that the American Dream is dead, it is because the concept has changed from the idea that everyone can improve their life through hard work to the idea that everyone can become a millionaire through virtually no work. The American Dream as first conceived, however, is still possible.
How does education affect the American Dream? ›American education is essential to achieving the American dream and it molds our American values into what they are today. Getting a good education helps get you a better job and better quality of life.
Is the American Dream a topic? ›The American dream is an interesting topic that one can discuss from various perspectives. If you need to write an essay on the American dream, you should understand this concept clearly.
What is the definition of dreams in life? ›
A dream can be described as a series of images, thoughts, desires, or emotions that pass through your mind. It's a wonderful thing you can create in your imagination, most often related to your future. It's something you wish and hope to achieve someday. It's aspirational rather than tangible.
What are the positive effects of the American Dream? ›People are therefore encouraged to work hard and their efforts are rewarded through better pay and/or career advancement. The American Dream therefore contributes to the growth of the country's economy since when individuals pursue and achieve their dreams; the economic outcomes of the country are improved.
What four values underlie the American Dream? ›Four values permeate the American dream: achievement at any cost, intensive individualism, universalism (everyone should succeed), and the fetishism of money (Messner & Rosenfeld, 1994/2003, pp. 62–65).
Does the American Dream mean different things to different people? ›Is the American Dream Different for Different People? Yes, in a word. The concept, originally popularized in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, has been redefined by successive generations—and indeed differs from person to person—though it usually includes some notion of access to opportunity.
How does social class affect the American Dream? ›From the founding of the United States to the present day, socioeconomic status has played a critical role in achieving the American Dream. Because the lower class has fewer resources and facilities than the rich, the lower class remains behind, digging themselves into a hole no matter how hard they try to escape.
Why is the American Dream important to understand American history and culture? ›The American Dream was now something not only brought into the minds of all social classes, it was something that was attained and experienced by the majority of Americans. This prosperity helped to bridge the gap between individual identity and the identity of the social community as a whole.
What does Fitzgerald say about the American Dream? ›F. Scott Fitzgerald believed, due to his own personal experiences, that the American dream was a cruel mistress whom presented all peoples with opportunity, yet even with success made happiness constantly out of reach.
What is the American Dream Oxford dictionary? ›/ði əˌmerɪkən ˈdriːm/ [singular] the belief that America offers the opportunity to everyone of a good and successful life achieved through hard work.
In what ways is the American Dream still alive? ›Small businesses are essential to the U.S. economy and keep the “American dream” alive, as they provide jobs for veterans, women, and other minorities, and they also put money back into their communities through paychecks and taxes.
Is the American Dream a journey? ›Americans understand that the American Dream can mean different things to different people, but there is a consensus that the Dream is always driven by hope for the future. It's not a given, either; 87% of Americans strongly agree that in order to live the Dream, you have to work for it.
Is American Dream in trouble? ›
The $5 billion development has struggled financially since the coronavirus pandemic. It missed four $7 million payments on a $1.4 billion construction loan in 2020.
What is the American Dream in The Great Gatsby summary? ›The American Dream and its initial status as a symbol of hope for success and a better life is blurred into a symbol of getting rich. This ideal, this dream, is essentially corrupted. The character of Gatsby symbolizes a corrupted dream: his wealth is a solution to his problems and his incorruptible love for Daisy.
What is the American Dream in The Great Gatsby essay? ›In the novel The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald Grant, Gatsby's true American dream is to be with the love of his life, Daisy. The American dream that Gatsby is chasing is a possibility in today's world because Gatsby is chasing love, which doesn't change throughout the different time periods.
What is the American Dream in The Great Gatsby quizlet? ›The American dream is about people having the opportunity to succeed, its not just about money or possessions. During the 1920s the dream of freedom and success was replaced with the dream of money. What is Gatsby's dream? Gatsby's dream is of obtaining Daisy and going back to how they us to be.
What is another way to say American? ›Yankee (or Yank) is a colloquial term for Americans in English; cognates can be found in other languages.
What are synonyms for America? ›- Land of Liberty.
- land of opportunity.
- New World.
- the States.
- U.S.
- US.
- U.S.A.
- USA.
achievement. nounsomething completed successfully; goal reached. accomplishment. acquirement. acquisition.
What was the purpose of the American Dream Speech? ›"I Have a Dream" is a public speech that was delivered by American civil rights activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In the speech, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States.
What is the negative American Dream quote? ›"The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream."
What is the American Dream immigrants quote? ›“The American dream belongs to all of us.” “Our nation is the enduring dream of every immigrant who ever set foot on these shores, and the millions still struggling to be free… this idea called America, was and always will be a new world.”
What is an example of the American Dream in Of Mice and Men? ›
In Of Mice and Men the American Dream is symbolized by George and Lennie's desire for their own piece of land. They momentarily believe if they work hard and save their money, they can afford to buy a home and work only for their own upkeep rather than someone else's.
How did the American Dream impact society? ›THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM
The American Dream has been a long-time model of prosperity for both American's and people around the world. “The charm of anticipated success” has brought millions of immigrants to America, looking for equal opportunity and a better life.
Daisy represents the American Dream in The Great Gatsby because for one, she is rich, which is the promise of the dream, or at least the promise of the potential people have. Both wealth and Daisy are sought after but not everyone can attain either. Daisy is also from a family of high standing.
What is the American Dream for candy? ›The Plan is Set
Candy's American Dream was to accompany George and Lennie on their journey to have their own land, and tend to farm animals.
This dream is very important to the men because it represents freedom and having control over their own lives, which they do not have while moving around looking for work.
Is the American Dream a social problem? ›The American Dream is a social issue because it over-emphasizes the role of the individual in their pursuit towards success without acknowledging social constraints; such as socioeconomic, racial or gender inequality, which can inhibit certain groups of people from achieving that same dream [please note that my use of ...