amyyu
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Post by amyyu on Feb 1, 2016 3:58:52 GMT
Although the American Dream is far more attainable that ever with the advancement and increased use of technology, many people believe it to be harder to achieve due to what the modern American Dream has evolved into. To start off, the original American Dream is traced back to James Truslow Adams, who defines the American Dream as having opportunities for all according to their individual achievements and hard work. In those days, the American Dream was something that could be reached regardless of social status and solely based on one's own dedication and perseverance. Based on the original definition of the American Dream, one would think that it would be easier than ever to attain this extremely sought after dream with the immense amount of resources and decrease in discrimination prevalent in today's society. In fact, the exact opposite proves to be true. The difficulty in which many Americans have in attaining their ideal lifestyle has been largely due to the evolution of what is considered the American Dream. Over time, people have become a lot more materialistic in outlook and more focused on goals that are impractical and far too extravagant. These newly formed unattainable ideas come from what is often seen on reality shows on TV, movies, and magazines that portray flawless faces and figures. Today, the popular media has become extremely important in the American way of life and has led to many people lusting over the lives of their favorite celebrities. Due to this, many people now aim for items that are signs of wealth and those that "should" make them happier. These items vary from expensive cars to brand name clothing to the newest released iPhone. This new dream of living in an enormous home with all the newest gadgets is one that largely differs from the conventional American Dream, and because of this, many people believe it to be a lot more difficult to fulfill their version of the perfect life. Since society's values and ideals have changed and become centered more on materialistic items, this new definition of the American Dream has become seemingly a lot harder to achieve.
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Zachary Lloyd
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Runnin thru the six with my woes
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Post by Zachary Lloyd on Feb 1, 2016 13:10:44 GMT
I agree with the idea of materialism, and I also want to add that I feel that this trend of favoring those with property as successful dates back even further, near to the roots of the so-called American Dream. When our country was first created, the only ones who could vote were white males who owned property. Why was this? To answer, or attempt, at least, my own question, I would like to point out a certain political view that predominated at the time of the creation of our country. The idea was simple: keep power in the hands of those who will do good with it, or otherwise to elect the 'right' leaders. From literally the start of the formalized American Dream, there has been a powerful inclination to those who hold a certain property or item over those who do not. To round it all out, materialism can be crushing. Whether you are a voter in 18th century America or a recent immigrant to the greatest country god has ever created upon this earth (/s  )then you have likely felt put down by this recurring concept of materialistic dominance. Those with the stuff have always succeeded you in society, no matter what the time period. I am confident this makes getting to the top very difficult. Well, that's all. There is a lot more to say about this, but I will leave that to someone else. |
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Post by jkeeney on Feb 4, 2016 14:09:35 GMT
I agree with both points mentioned and want to also say that the American Dream in today's society has been made harder to achieve. Competition among everyone for jobs and things of that nature have made it increasingly harder to stand out. From childhood we have been taught that we have to be the best of the best to make a name for ourselves or that we have to be the best known individual in our profession to actually make a decent living. Even as a high school student there is pressure to be better than everyone else and to get into the best college possible in order to be successful in life. This also applies to what was mentioned above in that people think that material items make you successful. As we know though, that is not necessarily the American Dream. As long as you have made your way higher than you originally were, you have achieved that dream but people today have made it into a game of who has the best things in life.
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Post by crandallethan on Feb 4, 2016 14:29:59 GMT
Wow Jessica that's a great point! As time goes on and the bar gets set higher and higher the American Dream has altered and become more difficult. Before, it was based on rags to riches and now unless you are blessed with some insane amount of talent or certain attribute, it is hard to achieve the Dream without some kind of higher education ($), phenomenal luck ($), or come from a better situation than most ($). The American Dream has become more and more a dream because the window as to who is qualified to even pursue such heights its closing. In today's society the American Dream is possible but the odds are very much not in your favor.
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Post by elizaneights on Feb 5, 2016 5:19:13 GMT
I agree! Celebrities definitely make the expectations of what people should achieve much higher. Normal people see celebrities like the Kardashians making millions of dollars doing pretty much nothing and society sees that as success, which is not attainable for most everyone unless you are very lucky. I feel like today's society tends to be more materialistic and less focused on hard work, making it very hard for anyone to succeed. Those who do want to work hard to attain the American Dream tend to turn to education to be successful. This can be a problem because the people who have the most money get the best education and are the most likely to make even more money. In addition, those who do work very hard to get a good education get burnt out quickly because the standards are set so high and everyone is competing to reach an impossible goal.
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Post by briwiegand on Feb 8, 2016 0:21:13 GMT
All of the topics brought up in this topic are on point! I agree that the dream has become very materialistic and hard to achieve in society. There's two spectrums. One is the pressure that famous people put on us like the Kardashians showing the extreme luxurious lifestyle that's almost impossible to attain. The other is the extreme success that comes from hard work (education, etc). One of the things I like to point out is above the fact that becoming famous is as easy as jumping onto the back of a wild grizzly bear and forcing it to do Pilates, becoming successful in business can be just as hard.
There's a ton of schooling that goes into getting a doctorate (just one way to be successful). This schooling costs money. Like a lot of money. This leads to student loans. This leads to sadness. College has become so expensive that students spend years paying off these loans. And yet in school, the only way to success that's drilled through our brains is going to college. Which leads to stress over grades. Which leads to our wonderful lives as high school students. The American Dream for a student, is essentially either go to college and become in debt or try to achieve fame. Both are extremely difficult paths and prove that the almont unattainable nature of the American Dream.
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)then you have likely felt put down by this recurring concept of materialistic dominance. Those with the stuff have always succeeded you in society, no matter what the time period. I am confident this makes getting to the top very difficult.
