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Post by katecavallo on Feb 6, 2016 15:17:03 GMT
I know we're supposed to only have one original thread, but I thought this deserved it's own conversation, so here goes.
So far in the "American Dream Today" category, all the conversation seems to be circling around the ideals set in place by current Americans. However, it's very important to realize that nowadays the "original" American dream- that being owning a business, maybe making a good amount of money- is still very much so alive for immigrants and prospective American citizens.
How often do you hear of young families, even high school and college students, traveling to the US in search of education and a shot at their own version of the American Dream? To them the American Dream is the little piece of the world that's theirs and theirs only, plus the shot at individual success- nothing flashy, nothing extravagant. So really if you think about it, all this speculation over how to obtain the American Dream and how it's affected by this that and the other thing, are all totally subjective and kind of irrelevant, isn't it?
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Post by hannahcherusseril on Feb 6, 2016 22:39:03 GMT
Kate, I agree with everything you are saying.
I feel like there really isn't a way to define the American dream. There's no way to say that if someone didn't achieve x,y, and z then he/she isn't successful or isn't really living what is considered THE American dream. In my family, I am part of the first generation to be born and raised in America. I have watched my parents and uncles and aunts start from scratch and build an amazing life in America. Their version of the American dream is the comfortable life they are living after years of working hard after immigrating. In today's world, the American dream doesn't necessarily to be all about making millions and having fun all the time. It has evolved from the meaning it held in the 1920s because what the American dream supposedly represents isn't what every person dreams of their life being.
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Post by dgarrett on Feb 7, 2016 2:01:35 GMT
Great ideas Kate and Hannah. I agree with both of you. To me it seem as if the American Dream has evolved throughout the years, and today it is very personalized. Nowadays everyone has a different mindset on their own success, and to them that is their own American Dream. To reiterate that, the American Dream can be accomplished today by completing your own personal life goals, and what those are is up to you.
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Post by tmehta on Feb 7, 2016 4:52:40 GMT
I do agree with everyone that ideals and opinions are changing, but I have a slightly word choice. There isn’t really any formula for achieving the American Dream, but I think that’s because our society’s definition of success has changed, not the definition of the American Dream. The American Dream will always be the idea that with equal opportunities, an American who works hard and perseveres will become successful; I think that, for the most part, that won’t ever really change. But like Dillon, I definitely think that our idea of success has changed. A fulfilling life doesn’t have to mean becoming famous or creating a billion-dollar business; it can simply mean getting your kids through college and having a happy life. It’s great to see that a modern person in America can define success however he/she wants to, and it is in this way that the American Dream has become very personalized. P.S. Kate you can have as many original posts as you want - you just need 1 minimum  |
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Post by ronaldrajan on Feb 7, 2016 23:53:58 GMT
I agree with most of your views, but I'm not so sure I agree with you on the subject that the "American Dream" is completely irrelevant. I think that people that come to America do not just come for work, but for a home and because they agree with ideal of the American Dream. To them, even if they do not fully realize the dream, trying to do it may make them feel more like they belong and like America is their home. So it's not truly about making money and living large, but instead about finding a community to be apart of for the rest of their life.
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Post by sfarmand on Feb 8, 2016 1:27:09 GMT
Tara, I agree with what you said. I think it's fantastic that people's values are shifting and that society is beginning to realize the importance of 'the small things'. Contrary to the materialistic culture of the past, people are placing more emphasis on relationships and fulfillment (or so it seems like it).
Kaitlin, I agree with most of what you are saying, but I disagree that speculation about the American Dream is irrelevant. Although it may not apply to everybody, making generalizations still has value, as it can help us determine what the general population desires or thinks.
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Post by colleenstrohlein on Feb 8, 2016 2:38:13 GMT
Kate, I think evaluating the American dream from other nationality's perspectives is a really interesting idea. Like everyone has said people who immigrate to America have this image of unlimited opportunities and freedoms that are not available in other countries, and it's true, the United States offers more liberties than other countries in say the Middle East or anywhere else. However, when analyzing American literature and thinking about our own family's and peer's idea of the American dream, there's a discrepancy between those and the ideas of people from less fortunate countries. Perhaps due to having been exposed to our American "privileges" our whole life, United States citizens seem to expect more to be considered to have achieved the American dream.
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Post by juliamann on Feb 8, 2016 21:23:20 GMT
Kate, I enjoyed reading your ideas on the American Dream and new immigrants in America. To me, the American Dream is something unique to each person. So I agree that the Dream is subjective, but I do not believe that it is irrelevant. I think that the American Dream is something that keeps people going. Achieving goals can be extremely difficult, especially without an overarching idea keeping us going after we've made small accomplishments. The American Dream is this overarching idea that drives people to succeed. For some people that may mean earning a large fortune and living a luxurious life, but for others it may mean escaping a war-ridden country or getting a chance at education. The American Dream is extremely personalized, but it is also extremely important in giving people hope and direction.
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