The American Dream?

Jon Meacham explains in the article “Keeping the Dream Alive," that the American Dream originated from the puritans and how they finally broke from British rule. This turned into the idea that we can do anything as long as we work hard for what we want, and eventually molded into what we know as "The American Dream" and how it was a life goal that people had to work hard for to live a successful life.

In Meacham's article "Rethinking the American Dream," he talks more about how people genereally think that the american dream is defining "success" in wealth through hard work. However, this is not true. Meacham says that the american dream can also define success in achieve one's life goals. He also argues that no matter how you define "the american dream," it has become more difficult to achieve. 

Back in the mid-1900s, "The American Dream" was to have a family and a white picket-fenced house in a friendly neighborhood. Obviously, a lot has changed since then. Today, technology has become a huge part of our lives. People would work hard to obtain the "next best thing" for their families to enjoy. I think it is because of this that their children (our generation) are struggling to accomplish the American Dream for they already have materialistic goods, and are comfortable at home. Still, it is traditional to get an education so that we can support ourselves without having to rely on our parents. But, we are pressured into thinking that success and happiness is defined by the quality of the goods you own and can afford to obtain. Because of our harsh society, we forget that it is okay to live a moderate life.