What does the phrase "American Dream" mean to you?

Question

During the elections, we often hear about the "American Dream." It's a standart point of rhetoric in politics, but I wonder if we hear and use it so often that we don't really consider its meaning. I realize that it will mean different things to different people; that's ok. What I want to know is:

What does it mean to you?
What kind of phrases or images immediately come to mind at this expression?
Is the "American Dream" accessable to all Americans?
If not, what barriers prevent it?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I teach The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald to my 11th graders, and that is always the key question in the work. It goes way back, because in the early 18th century, the American dream was about freedom, equality and fairness. (The Jeffersonian ideal of self reliance) In the 19th century, it was populalrized by a series of books by Horatio Alger in which a poor kid who through dint of hard work, effort and perseverance could pull himself up by his bootstraps and become a millionaie. Then somewhere along the way it got in a way perverted and turned into a total grubbing for material possessions - the big house, the ever increasing standard of living.

Nowadays when a politician mouths the American Dream lingo, it's usually code for a house, a good salary and increasing materialism. It usually doesn't have the original intent.

For me, the American Dream has lost all its value because it's been over-used by too many industries to promote their wares and services (ie: real estate) for it to mean anything.

Answer 2

I grew up on a small farm, and feel the American dream is still alive for the most part. If you really want something that's "realistic" (we can't all be Bill Gates), it's achievable. I do wish we spent less $ on the military and more on health care, public education, and the environment. Otherwise, I'm ok with this America, and think the American dream of home ownership, owning a business, and the right to tell anyone who will listen what we think, is alive and well.

Answer 3

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RE:
What does the phrase "American Dream" mean to you?
During the elections, we often hear about the "American Dream." It's a standart point of rhetoric in politics, but I wonder if we hear and use it so often that we don't really consider its meaning. I realize that it will mean different things to different people; that's ok. ...

Answer 4

The American Dream is the rags to riches story. It happens but not often mostly because of our tax system. Most born in working class will remain in working class. Money people tend to marry wealth, and poor tend to marry poor and stay in the same class they were born in. America is a good place to be poor; The poor have a higher standard of living than the poor around the world.

Answer 5

phrase american dream

Answer 6

To It means the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American. How can it be achieve? Depends on how they push themselves on their limits and how they persevere, in order to achieve successful lives and achieve whatever goals they set.

Answer 7

To me, it means if I work hard enough (and am willing to go a hundred thousand dollars in debt with school loans) I can achieve the life I want.

I believe it is accessible to all Americans. However, we need to instill this belief in our children. I think the barriers to some kids is that no one believes in them, so they do not believe in themselves. even if a child from an impoverished background wants to make a good life for him/herself, they can if they work hard enough. As a society, we need to invest so much more in our children and their future. Politicians these days care too much about AARP and getting the vote of senior citizens. Our children need a voice, too!!

Answer 8

My life - freedom, pride in country, beautiful healthy family, good income, nice neighbors of all nationalities, freedom to worship,
home ownership, & security.

My family has worked hard to achieve our dream. I come from almost poor family that taught the value of hard work, respect of self & others, politeness, acceptance of differences, We went through hard times but when we reached the dream of home ownership & money to care for ourselves & others, it was worth all the struggle. I struggled paying for college but my children
were able to go & enjoy college life as will my grandchildren.
The cycle of freedom to work & achieve is there just hard to reach.

Answer 9

To have freedom, a family, a house with a white picket fence. You know, a simple life with no worries. No, I dont think everyone is able to have this but usually it is their own fault... because there is a lack of education and a skill/trade.

Answer 10

Dreams that turn into smokes and ashes with lost sense of purpose and direction in life on planet earth.
Were good in the advancement on the creation of toyland with all the latest and modern toys on planet earth.
But at loss in the advancement of living human kind vital for their own survival being overlook on planet earth.
The blunders and slip-ups with human errors being overlook by the dirty old men in office on planet earth.