What exactly is the American Dream?

The "American Dream" has been a very controversial concept for the past two decades. Many would say that the American Dream is fading away or that it is no longer attainable. "Rethinking the American Dream" by David Kamp shows us that the American Dream is not fading away; However, our expectations of what the American Dream should be has increased at an alarming rate. It seems as though being an American means that we must obtain bigger and greater things. We are pressured to study long hours so that we can go to a good school, so that we can achieve a career that makes a lot of money. Many people want to "make it big" that they forget that having a modest life is okay.

"Rethinking the American Dream" and "Keeping the Dream Alive" by Jon Meacham goes through a brief American history on how the American Dream came to be. Both discuss the early settlements of America, and how it was the first time that common people (the Puritans) were chasing after their dream (of religious freedom). Both articles also quote James Truslow Adams, a historian in the 1930s, who states that Americans during the postwar era were living "a better, richer and happier life." However, David Kamp defines what exactly a better, richer and happier life entails. Kamp writes "A 'better and richer life' is promised, but for most people this wont be a rich person's life. 'Opportunity for each' is promised, but within the bounds of each person's ability." (p.4) Unlike Meacham, Kamp knows that there are limitations to every American Dream. Some people will be able to accomplish more than others.

We should not get discouraged from this fact. We all should work hard and not let our upbringing bring us down. It is not impossible to leave the poor class and enter middle class. My grandmother, who is a rather well to do women, once told me that throughout most of her life (until she retired) she had to live paycheck to paycheck. And informed me that I would most likely have to do the same. She wasn't trying to make this seem like a harsh reality, but it is a reality nonetheless. I know that I will have to work hard for most of my life but with optimism I can achieve greater things, if only I put in the effort to do so.