The American Dream today PDF

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WHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM? -term was first used by the historian James Adams in 1931in his book 'The Epic of America', in 1931: ''The American Dream is the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement''  to explain what had attracted millions of people of all nations to settle in America -there is no single definition of what the American Dream actually is, as it varies for each American -the American Dream has often been used to inspire and motivate Americans to improve themselves an get on in life; it has also been blamed for creating unrealistic expectations

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE AMERICAN DREAM BASIC IDEA: anyone can achieve anything  with a strong will and hard work, anybody can go “from rags to riches” -set of beliefs and ideals which (in theory) allows every American the freedom to prosper and advance socially and financially through hard work -promise of material prosperity  Americans feel that they can achieve a “better, richer, and happier life” regardless of their race, colour, class, religion -everyone can reach their goals if they really try → realization of dreams with hard work -central promises out of the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness -individual interpretations: fame and fortune or a fulfilled life

INTERPRETATIONS OF THE AMERICAN DREAM PERSONAL DREAM: -freedom and equality, dignity and happiness; safety; upward mobility -self-fulfillment, self-realization, individualism -gain a certain standard of living including economic, industrial and medical progress -reach and preserve personal aims such as family, property, freedom, happiness, health ECONOMIC DREAM: -prosperity and success, rising from poverty to fame and fortune (“from rags to riches”) -if you work hard and play by the rules, you can work your way to the top SOCIAL DREAM: -equality and opportunity, classless society RELIGIOUS DREAM: -religious freedom POLITICAL DREAM: -democracy and justice

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY -he first thing many immigrants saw when they came by ship to New York City during the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, was the Statue of Liberty, which is located on Liberty Island -given to the USA by France in 1886, to celebrate the first 100 years of American independence from Britain -a robed woman holding a lighted torch in her right and a tablet in her left hand showing the date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) -underneath her right foot the remains of broken shackles can be seen -one of the most famous American icons, symbolizing enlightenment, independence, liberty, individuality and freedom

AMERICAN BELIEFS AND VALUES -the American Dream is reflected in basic beliefs and values  give the nation its character and are still shared by the most Americans today FREEDOM -freedom from oppression and individual freedom -Americans regard their society as the freest and best in the world, superior to every other nation -think of their country as a welcoming haven for those looking for individual freedom and opportunity -goes back to the Founding Fathers’ belief that all person are equal and the government has to protect each person’s rights (e.g. freedom of speech, press and religion) EQUALITY -equality of opportunity and equality before the law  does not mean e.g. that everybody has the same standard of living INDIVIDUALISM -originated in the settlement of the West  success of the first Americans depended on their ability to confront hardships and challenges of the wilderness on their own; early settlers had to be self-sufficient, innovative and “able to stand on their own feet”  gave early Americans a firm belief that problems are there to be solved (“can do” spirit) -today: idealization of the self-reliant, self-sufficient, independent individual is still alive -government regulation is often resisted  individual responsibility to make a living and succeed in a competitive society MOBILITY/ OPTIMISM/ FLEXIBILITY -belief in limitless resources is related to the American tradition of mobility  settling the West (“going west”) meant making a fresh start in a land of spaciousness (geographical mobility)

-today: e.g. Americans are prepared to move great distances to improve their lives through a better job -accept social mobility (upward and downward) on the “ladder of success”  relate success primarily to individual achievement and their own flexibility HARD WORK -puritan work ethnic: individual duty to work hard and to show self-discipline -material success through hard work was seen as a sign of God’s favor and good education as a key to prosperity EDUCATION AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT -education as the key to individuals realizing their full economic, social and personal potential -deep influence on US foreign policy  idea of exporting American values of freedom and equality to other parts of the world is seen as a God-given moral obligation PROGRESS -belief in progress and the desire to progress personally by making use of opportunities -a nation’s progress is reflected in its growing prosperity, economic strength and political power -Americans always regarded themselves as a nation with a mission  settling the West was seen as the nation’s “Manifest Destiny” (manifestation that god and his chosen people spread divine principles)  today: spreading democracy and the Western way of life across the world PATRIOTISM -America’s need to absorb a huge number of immigrants led to the necessity to create a feeling of national unity and awareness of being an American -patriotic symbols (American flags, stickers); singing of the national anthem and patriotic songs (e.g. God Bless America) -national holidays (Thanksgiving, Independence Day) intensify the sense of national pride

THE AMERICAN DREAM TODAY -very critical and negative view of the American Dream nowadays (A.D = illusion) -Critics see the American Dream as a clever political and economic marketing strategy  they want people to get away from selfish individualism/ materialism and return to community spirit and social responsibility AMERICAN DREAM IN ECONOMIC TERMS -huge gap between rich and poor  makes it increasingly difficult for the poor to realize the Dream -the role of state welfare and political intervention in helping weaker members of society remains controversial -Affirmative action: widely practiced policy of supporting blacks and single parents (especially in education and work schemes) -middle class suffered enormously from the economic crisis of 2008 and the years of recession  many people became unemployed and then lost their property  present generation doubted that it would be better of financially than the previous ones; put a crack in the optimism of the American Dream  work ethic and values system of the Puritans became endangered as working hard did not automatically result in financial well-being AMERICAN DREAM IN SOCIAL TERMS -classless society has never become reality -huge diversity in income and lifestyles LOWER CLASS: refuse to join a competitive, success-orientated society; see themselves as losers in the race of success; see America as an uncaring state MIDDLE CLASS: often works long hours, takes on several jobs with hardly any holidays in order to be able to live the American way HIGH CLASS: the rich enjoy the benefits of material success -good education is often a perquisite for upward mobility  costs of higher education leave many no choice but to stay where they are

AMERICAN DREAM IN ETHNIC TERMS: -many minority groups feel they have been denied the opportunity to live free and equal rights -various minority groups cope differently with the pressure on the individual in a society which is marked by the ambition to succeed NATIVE AMERICANS have mostly never fully adapted to the white lifestyle and system of values AFRICAN AMERICANS have split into a small prosperous middle class and an impoverished underclass Rapidly growing HISPANIC COMMUNITY (many illegal immigrants from Mexico): often exploited as cheap workers on farms and in private households small but growing ASIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY: mainly academically educated, highly qualified professionals; earn salary far above the national average

AMERICAN SOCIETY -vision of America as a “melting pot of nations” has never become reality  foreign immigrants give up their national identity/ way of life/ culture/ language and form a new nation -since 1960s: growing self-confidence of minorities; fight against discrimination; influx of new ethnic groups who refused to be culturally absorbed by American society -today: concept of the “salad bowl”  diverse, multi-cultural and pluralistic society...