What Is the American Dream?
The term "American dream" refers to 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," byJames Truslow Adams,
- 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 idea of an American dream took hold in part due to 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 nation's ethos.
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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 circ*mstances 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.
The American dream now costs $3,455,305—that's the estimated lifetime cost of common milestones including marriage, two children, homes, health care, cars, and education.
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 circ*mstances of someone's birth—including whether they were born American citizens or immigrants—do not completely determine their future.
Disadvantages
Terming the concept 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 original limitation of the right to vote 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. Entrepreneurship has always been important to the U.S. economy, too. From 1995 to 2021, small businesses created 17.3 million net jobs alone.
In addition, access to education and healthcare havebeen cited as elements of the dream.
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; and
- 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.
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.
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.
