What is The American Dream?
Do you believe that with hard work and determination, you can achieve success and improve your life in America, regardless of your background or circumstances? If so, you believe in The American Dream.
The term American Dream is seen everywhere—featured in films, TV shows, newspapers, political campaigns, speeches, and even in sports.
It is a concept that has been woven into American culture, and most people worldwide have heard the term, either in English or translated into their own language, as a symbol of opportunity and success.
In an article published by the Pew Research Center, Gabriel Borelli wrote the following about The American Dream:
“The American Dream is a century-old phrase used to describe the idea that anyone can achieve success in the United States through hard work and determination. Today, about half of Americans (53%) say that dream is still possible.”
The Foundations of The American Dream
The American Dream is one of the most well-known and enduring concepts in the United States, often symbolizing the notion that hard work, determination, and equal opportunity can lead to success and prosperity.
It represents a national ethos that has shaped the cultural and political identity of the country for hundreds of years.
At its core, The American Dream promises that all citizens, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to achieve their ambitions.
Rooted in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the dream hinges on the idea that “all men are created equal” and that each has the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
However, over time, the meaning of The American Dream has evolved significantly.
Historical Evolution: Shaping The American Dream
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Colonial & Frontier Experience
Historically, The American Dream emerged from the colonial and frontier experience, where Americans believed that unexplored lands and vast resources could provide endless opportunities for success.
This notion was embodied by figures such as John Murray, who in 1774 remarked that Americans were always in search of better lands, even if they had already settled in seemingly ideal locations.
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19th Century – Europe
The dream took on new dimensions during the 19th century, particularly with the mass immigration waves from Europe.
For many immigrants, the United States represented a place free of the rigid class structures that dominated Europe. In America, social mobility and political freedoms were seen as accessible through personal effort.
This was further cemented by the California Gold Rush, where the belief in instant wealth became a defining aspect of the American psyche.
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20th Century – the Term ‘American Dream’ is Born
The 20th century marked the formalization of the term “American Dream.” Historian James Truslow Adams popularized the phrase in his 1931 book Epic of America.
He described The American Dream as more than material success. It was about a vision of social order, where everyone could achieve their fullest potential, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
Adams emphasized that the dream was not merely about wealth but about an inclusive society where individual talents and perseverance were valued.
The Role of Materialism and Social Order in The American Dream
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Linked to Economic Success
Despite Adams’ assertion that The American Dream was not solely materialistic, over time, it has come to be associated heavily with economic success.
Homeownership, upward mobility, and financial independence became central symbols of achieving The American Dream.
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Hoover’s Presidential Campaign
In a 1928 advertisement for Herbert Hoover’s presidential campaign, the phrase “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage” was used to promise widespread prosperity.
This slogan is an example of how The American Dream was often seen in materialistic terms, symbolizing the belief that economic success and consumer goods were key markers of a better life.
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Post World War II
The iconic image of a house with a white picket fence, representing stability and prosperity, was deeply ingrained in the American consciousness, especially in the post-World War II period.
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Social Equality & Justice
However, alongside this material focus, The American Dream has also retained its roots in social equality and justice.
This aspect of the dream was notably highlighted during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Martin Luther King Jr., in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, connected the African American struggle for equality to the broader American Dream, calling for a nation where individuals were judged by the “content of their character” rather than the color of their skin.
Social Mobility – a Shifting Reality
While The American Dream has long been associated with the belief in *social mobility, data from recent decades suggests that *upward mobility is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve.
* ‘Social Mobility’ refers to the ability of individuals or groups to move up or down the social and economic hierarchy (socioeconomically), often across generations. ‘Upward Mobility’ means rising socioeconomically, typically through improved income, education, or occupation.
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US Lagging
Studies indicate that the United States now lags behind many European countries in terms of social mobility. For example, the U.S. ranked 27th in the 2020 Global Social Mobility Index.
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Income Inequality
This decline in mobility has been accompanied by a rise in income inequality, challenging the core promise of The American Dream that hard work will lead to success.
Belief in The Dream Continues
Despite these challenges, surveys show that many Americans continue to believe in the attainability of the dream, although with varying levels of optimism.
According to a 2024 Pew Research poll, 53% of Americans still believe The American Dream is attainable for them, while 46% do not.
However, belief in the dream is not uniform across different demographic groups. Younger generations, African Americans, and Asian Americans tend to be more skeptical of the dream’s attainability than older, white Americans.
Economic Challenges and Disillusionment
The economic challenges that have led to increasing disillusionment with The American Dream are numerous.
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Owning a Home
The cost of homeownership, once a central symbol of the dream, has skyrocketed, making it difficult for many Americans to afford homes.
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Wages, Education, and Healthcare
At the same time, wages have stagnated for much of the working class, while the cost of education and healthcare has risen.
These factors have led many to question whether the traditional vision of The American Dream, with its promise of material prosperity, is still realistic in today’s economy.
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Wealth Gap
Another economic factor contributing to disillusionment is the growing wealth gap in the United States.
Scholars like Joseph Stiglitz have pointed out that income inequality in America is one of the highest among developed nations.
The concentration of wealth among a small elite has led some to argue that The American Dream is no longer accessible to the majority of Americans, but only to those who are already privileged.
Wealth Gap/Inequality vs. Income Gap/Inequality: Wealth Gap/Inequality refers to the difference in total assets (such as savings, property, and investments) owned by individuals or groups. Income Gap/Inequality refers to the uneven distribution of earnings or wages among individuals or groups. In short, the wealth focuses on how much people have, while the income is about how much people earn.
Cultural and Racial Perceptions
The American Dream means different things to different people, especially across racial and ethnic groups.
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White Americans
For white Americans, the traditional concept of the dream — defined by financial success and homeownership — continues to hold sway.
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Minority Groups
Minority groups, however, often define the dream in terms of personal achievements and overcoming systemic barriers rather than material wealth.
For example, immigrants frequently view The American Dream as an opportunity for a better life, even if that means modest financial success compared to others.
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Race and Ethnicity
Race and ethnicity also play a significant role in determining how individuals view their chances of achieving The American Dream.
According to the 2020 Pew Research survey, Black Americans are more likely than whites to believe that systemic barriers stand in their way. They also express a greater degree of skepticism about the fairness of the economic system, which they see as rigged against minorities.
The Future of The American Dream
As The American Dream continues to evolve, it is becoming clear that its meaning has expanded beyond the material aspirations that once defined it.
Increasingly, people are redefining the dream in personal terms. For some, it is about finding happiness and fulfillment, while for others, it is about achieving financial security or raising a family.
According to a 2023 private survey, modern Americans now place more value on personal well-being, such as secure retirement and financial independence, than on material symbols like large homes or expensive cars.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, The American Dream remains a powerful symbol of opportunity and aspiration, but it is also a concept that is deeply affected by economic realities and cultural shifts.
While it continues to inspire people both in the United States and around the world, its traditional promise of financial success through hard work is increasingly being questioned.
As America grapples with its economic and social challenges, The American Dream will likely continue to evolve, reflecting the changing values and priorities of its people.