The American Dream

The "American dream" is something that has defined American life since the early 1930's. This idea that America is a land of prosperity and all citizens have the opportunity to achieve richer and happier lives has, in a way, given many Americans a sense of false hope. The image of normalcy behind this dream sends the message that anyone can achieve it.

But what happens if a majority of Americans feel they can no longer achieve the "American dream"? According to a video I watched recently, many average middle class Americans feel as though the current economy has made this seem like an unrealistic goal. One woman described how she used to volunteer at soup kitchens but now visits them herself so she can stretch her $11.00/hour salary to feed her kids. This is consistent with the recent surge in individuals who need food assistance-- 48%-- and increasingly middle class Americans.

This video demonstrates in many ways how the middle class America is "struggling for survival." With the state of the economy right now, it seems to me as though the dream has shifted from trying to move up to trying not to move down. It is apparent to me that the "American dream" is a dream of money since it is dependent upon moving up the economic ladder. So if the majority of America can no longer move up, is the dream still relevant? Will it change to reflect changes in America? Should it?