Condition of the American Dream in the United States

The American dream is one of those aspects that make the United States a unique country. However, in recent years the American dream has become less realistic compared to the years after the American dream as concept was born. Events surrounding the previous 2008-1009 seem to be a contributing factor to Americans becoming disconnected from the American Dream. This paper looks at the extent to which achieving the American dream is possible in the United States and how concerned people should be about it.

The American dream’s history dates back to the great depression when America was undergoing serious economic challenges. During the great depression, Adams came up with its definition. Adams defined it as a land’s dreams in which life needs to be better, fuller and richer for everyone and presence of opportunities for all according to achievement or ability (Zheng 203). Achieving the dream is possible if people believe in it, stop relying on government and with the right planning and the right economic policies that encourage growth.

Fulfillment of the American dream can also be possible if people stop relying on politicians in order to make it to the next level as far as their financial position is concerned. People who replace individual initiative with a politician who belongs to any party in order to improve their life are considered to be more than dreaming (Thomas 569). In fact, politicians who constitute government have been a setback to the achievement of the American dream. By over regulating, overtaxing, encroaching, expanding and overspending through government, a mentality of entitlement has been created among government addicts in the country (Thomas 569). It is not possible to instill initiative among Americans especially if such a situation has already been created.

This is due to the effects that such a government has had on a number of people in America. The situation has resulted into erosion of personal accountability, individual initiative and self reliance (Thomas 569). Under these particular circumstances and with such a government, it is not possible for the American dream to be actualized. To extent to which the dream can be achieved depends on the degree to which people decide not to wait upon government to meet their needs. Instead every person in America should take effort to improve their lives despite whether or not the government has stepped in.

Achieving the American Dream is possible in the United States if people can be able to believe in their ability to improve their present state of life. The promises of the American dream are evident based on the beliefs of racial minorities and immigrants (Ghosh 2). Future generations can achieve this dream depending on how the present generation confronts the challenges facing the American dream. The American dream is intact only if people believe they have an opportunity of improving their lives for the best compared to how they are today (King 577). There are a lot of people with potential but they are not able to move to the next stage because of their lack of belief in creating wealth.

The American dream is not only relevant to the present generation but it is also relevant for the future generations. It is the same beliefs that people have in relation to achievement of the American dream which will enable future generations to have hopes of achieving the American dream. There should be reliance on the American dream’s values which emphasize that any person can move from hardship and be able to achieve success (King 577). King views this as the better alternative compared to interfering with enterprises that enable job creation and growth to be achieved in America.

The extent to which achieving the American dream can be possible during difficult economic times has to do with policies and planning. The great recession is one of the most challenging economic periods that America has gone through in recent years. In light of the great recession, there is a lot that can be done to ensure achievement of the American dream. Lessons that can be gained from the great recession have been emphasized by King. The American dream can only be kept alive through a number of measures given by king and which are derived from the lessons learned during the great recession.

Enacting policies through which economic growth can be sustained and saving in order to plan for the future are two ways in which the American dream can be kept alive (King 578). King’s stand suggests that achieving the American dream can only be possible if the economy is stable and conditions enable people to save their money. People can only save money if there is economic stability in families and which can be attributed to a well performing economy. Such an economy needs to enable people have incomes that will ensure they can save.

There should be concern on various issues and which touch on the American dream and how it needs to be achieved. These issues point to the difficulties which are bound to be faced in relation to achieving the American dream. Despite raised hopes about actualizing the American dream, there are a number of concerns raised by people from different walks of life in America. It is these concerns that can negatively hamper efforts meant to address achievement of the American dream. First of all, people in America should be concerned about the education system. The government’s school system is monopolistic. The effects of such a system seem to shift the American population more away from achieving the American dream than towards it. The poor remain locked in government schools which are failing (Thomas 569). Education can be one of the most significant channels through which the American dream can be realized.

However, failing schools play an ineffective role in ensuring that this is possible. They produce graduates who perform poorly in important subjects compared to graduates from other nations (Thomas 569). Based on such a revelation, it is evident that there should be a lot of concern for students coming from poor backgrounds. This is because they cannot access quality education which will enable them to address their future needs. This is in terms of them acquiring good jobs or gaining knowledge which will enable them to start their businesses.

Secondly, there should be concern in relation to the aggressiveness with which the American people or those who immigrate to America pursue the American dream. In the present times, people seem to have lowered their goals and their expectations in relation to the American dream. Today, a majority of people do not prefer a transition from rags to riches (King 573). This is true to an extent as reflected by lack of entrepreneurs such as those in the past who were able to start business empires.

Preference for middle class level of lifestyle is evidence of lowered expectations. People instead prefer a middle class lifestyle which is stable and characterized by concentrating on employment that is secure and saving money in consideration of the future (King 573). This is a worrying trend considering that the picture coming out of this situation depicts a nation that is not intent on reaching the ultimate peak of the American dream.

Concern should also be directed at unrestricted liberalism. It has been seen as a major obstacle to the American dream. The true means of realization of the American dream are eroded in society due to unrestrained liberalism (King 577). As a result of this revelation liberalism needs to be checked so that America can take steps forward in ensuring its people achieve the American dream.

Conclusion

In conclusion, from the findings presented in the essay, a number of issues in relation to the American dream emerge. Achievement of the American dream is possible if people believe in their abilities and stop relying on politicians to improve their lives. Policies meant for economic growth meant and encouraging saving for can also keep alive the American dreams. However, in order to effectively address the issue of the American dream it is necessary to address concerns such as a monopolized government education system, unrestricted liberalism and the low expectation people have in relation to the American dream.