Ah, the American dream. It’s been pushed throughout almost every part of our culture for a while. It has changed a bit over time, and the public opinion surrounding it has as well. On one hand, the American dream is something several generations upheld as the standard – something that everyone can achieve. However, with modern times and how our economy and workforce have evolved, many people think it is becoming less and less achievable with each passing year. In this article I’m going to break it down. Is it overhyped? Still achievable? Or is the American dream just another relic of the past? Let’s dive in!
What Is The American Dream?
The American dream has held some seemingly different definitions over the years. Lately, some people think it’s the ability to get rich – without doing any work. Others hold a more traditional view where they deem it’s about being able to achieve wealth and success through hard work alone. Some view it as being able to live your life the way you want to live it, even if it requires a lot of hard work.
Over time, the definition the public gives it has mostly had three things in common. First, that you can be successful in America. Second, that the American dream is about freedom and being able to live your ideal life. Third, that hard work is what will help you get there. Those aren’t bad aspirations, but the common opinion is that it’s becoming less and less viable.
A Brief History
As far as I can tell, the term “American dream” dates back to somewhere in the first half of the 20th century. It took some time to gain traction, but it became a cultural icon of sorts that we know today.
Beyond that, higher education and land ownership were both usually seen as parts of achieving the American dream, but they weren’t the only parts or even always required. Sometimes, it seems, the American dream was looked at more as the standard which things should be, and not what they actually were. Either way, the American dream has become an integral part of our culture that has been debated for years.
The Modern Trends
Lately, this whole idea of work hard, be free, and live a wealthy lifestyle isn’t completely accurate. That’s not to say that you can’t do it, just that it’s a simplified look. It’s still possible to be wealthy. It’s still possible to be free and live the lifestyle you want. Hard work does help with that, but it’s not the only part of the equation. You have to be intentional with what you want, put in the work towards your goals, and stay consistent.
Trying to brute force your way to success probably isn’t going to work. How many people do you know who do back-breaking work, but have little to show for it? Probably several. Working hard isn’t enough, but it certainly helps. Furthermore, this “work until you drop” mentality is taking things a little too far. Work hard, but intentionally. Take breaks when you need to so that you don’t burn yourself out.
Living Someone Else’s Dream Is Not A Good Plan
The main thing I hear about the average person’s dream is the same. They want to be married, have a big house, do their “dream” job, have a couple of kids, and retire early. It’s pretty straightforward, but I have to ask – is that everyone’s dream? The original idea of the American dream is partially about how it’s unique to the individual. I’m mentioning this mainly as a warning. Figure out what you want first. Not what others want – not even what they expect. Figure out what your goals really are, and you’ll be far more likely to achieve what you want.
The Pros Of The American Dream
- It’s nice, in theory, and something to aspire to.
- It’s about freedom and equality of opportunity, which I think is a great thing for everyone.
- The American dream is motivational – it gives us something to look forward to.
- Being in charge of your own life is something almost everyone deeply desires and hopes for.
The Cons Of The American Dream
- Reality doesn’t always work like that, and it makes people feel like they’ve been lied to.
- Many take the American dream the wrong way and think they just need to keep their head down and blindly work until they drop.
- The economy is not what it once was, and it’s harder to get a good start. A lot of times people need to look to side hustles to help them get established financially.
- The economy is not what it once was, and it’s even harder to get and stay ahead – unless you take care of your finances with a good budget and discipline. Of course, saving and investing tools for beginners, like Acorns, can be a helpful way to get you on the right track.
Is The American Dream Dead?
No, I won’t say the American dream is dead. Is it hard to achieve? Yes, it arguably always was. The dream, the idea, is not dead though – and that’s a good thing. We should strive, as a society, to give the next generation opportunities and to help them achieve their goals. Even if you think your version of the American dream is unobtainable, let’s work together to try to help others along – and you may be surprised, not as many doors as people think are actually closed. Opportunities are endless, and they can come at the most unexpected times, in the most surprising ways.
Is It Achievable Though?
That’s debatable, and it depends on your version of the American dream. It is still entirely possible for you to rise above what you were born into, and achieve success. If you expect exceptional wealth, with little work, then you’re bound to end up disappointed in the long run.
Is The American Dream Overhyped?
Honestly, I think this whole topic is a bit overhyped. Instead of thinking about how fair life is, or the current economy, it’s better to spend your time coming up with ways to actually improve your situation. Identify your dreams, come up with concrete goals and milestones, and then start working on it! People tend to overestimate what they can do in the short-term, but they drastically underestimate how far they can go in a decade or even a handful of years. Intentional, consistent work can help you get to where you want to be.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on the American dream. If you have any of your own to share, let us know in the comments! I’m interested to see what most people think of the state of our economy and workforce – and how that’s impacted the dream so many people praise and long for.
For more content like this, and a free budgeting template and financial goals worksheet, be sure to sign up for the Bitter to Richer newsletter.
