american dream argumentative essay

American Dream Essay: Structure, Outline, Sample, and Topics

• Icon Calendar 11 December 2023
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The American Dream is a recurring controversial topic in modern society. Individuals have developed different arguments to deconstruct what is the American Dream essay in the context of day-to-day life. In the academic setting, learners that engage in this discourse hold the weight of the proper expression of their arguments. A structured essay is analyzed with a focus on the introduction, main body, and conclusion of the five-paragraph essay. The process of topic selection, outline development, and structured writing is exemplified using an essay titled, “The Promise of the American Dream.” Recommendations for narrow scoped topics for exploring the concept are provided as a starting point for students.

In contemporary discourse, there is much controversy over the meaning of the American Dream. Basically, people hold different positions on multiple aspects of the concept in their essays and research papers. During the schooling years, it is important to acquire knowledge. Also, young minds benefit significantly from reflecting on the influence of their recently acquired knowledge on their position regarding controversial topics. Upon completing the reflection essay process, the expression of one’s newly defined position is the next step. An essay on the American Dream is presented to introduce the readers to the basic principles behind the concept. Moreover, the structure of a five-paragraph essay is explored with the support of an outline and a sample essay.

What Is the American Dream Essay?

1. general description.

The American Dream is a widely known concept, but there is no definition that can be identified as a correct, comprehensive, and precise. Basically, freedom and opportunity are the most critical aspects of the essay on the American Dream. In this case, freedoms are essential to the idea of achieving goals. It because these freedoms provide an individual with the space to live freely without any oppression from their peers or the government. Moreover, equal access to opportunity allows each individual to pursue happiness and prosperity regardless of the social class, gender, race, and other social or cultural factors that stratify society. Therefore, this concept may be defined as a set of beliefs that explain the experience of life that many people are expected to have in an ideal situation, where their freedoms are protected, and no opportunity barriers exist.

2. Unique Experiences

People are born into families that provide them with a unique starting point for their pursuit of desired goals. For example, the financial capability, level of education, and cultural beliefs of an individual’s parents define the foundation on which a person begins to achieve desired goals. As a result, all people may be pursuing the same ideas when writing essays. In turn, it is not a level playing field because some individuals may find themselves in better circumstances than others. Furthermore, it is differentiated at a personal level because individuals with relatively similar starting points may have distinct outcomes. Based on this perspective, it is highly unlikely that any two individuals can attest to going through identical experiences when writing an essay.

3. Belief Systems

Besides the circumstances of the starting points, an individual’s belief system plays a significant role in their strategy of achieving desired goals. For instance, happiness and prosperity are broad terms that have contrasting meanings for individuals because there is no standardized scale for measuring happiness or prosperity. Moreover, one person may consider owning a car and house to be a sign of prosperity. In contrast, another person may believe that providing his or her children with a college education to be prosperity. Hence, these beliefs are imposed on desires goals, which results in variations in the meaning of the concept for each individual to be covered in an essay. In turn, desires goals affected to a large extent by an individual’s beliefs regarding the things that make them happy or prosperous.

Topic Selection for American Dream Essays

1. challenges of topic selection.

The American Dream is a concept that people can examine from a variety of perspectives, which makes the selection of an essay topic for an American Dream paper quite challenging. During the selection of an essay topic, it is essential to remember that no point of view is more superior or correct than another. In this case, the weight of the claim proposed in the American Dream argumentative essay is dependent on the writer’s ability to explain a position logically and convincingly. Moreover, in the presentation of the argument in the essay, it is important to adequately consider competing counterarguments that may arise in the audience’s minds when writing essays. In turn, the failure to evaluate counterarguments critically may undercut the authority of the author, especially when writing for an academic audience.

2. Solution

Equally important, writers should select a topic that has a link with their personal experiences. For instance, an argument concerning the essay about the American Dream gains a sense of authenticity when writers discuss an issue that resonates with their beliefs. It is essential because some passion is embedded in the essay. In this case, as a starting point for identifying the essay topic, writers may identify a “main concept” under review, for example, equal opportunity. Based on the main concept, writers can think through their life experiences and single out events that they consider invaluable in the position taken concerning the main concept (see the example of a simple brainstorming template). Finally, writers should settle on the essay topic that is specific and can be argued out entirely within the constraints of the essay requirements.

3. Example of a Simple Brainstorming Template

• State the main concept.
• How has it affected you?
• How has it affected other people in your life?
• Do you think the events mentioned above are in line with the American Dream?
• Specify the issue.
• Describe the ideal situation.
• Can the situation be improved?

American Dream Essay Outline

Introduction (approximately 10% of the word count).

• It is the first statement in the introductory paragraph.
• The statement should capture the attention of the reader, for example, a unique fact about the topic.

2. Overview of the Topic

• It comprises of two or more sentences.
• The statements should contain adequate detail for the reader to understand the thesis statement.

3. Thesis Statement

• It is a single statement that appears at the end of the introductory paragraph.
• The statement provides an answer to the essay prompt in the form of a single argument, which summarises the main evidence or rationale presented in the main body.

Main Body (Approximately 80% of the Word Count)

The creation of paragraphs in this section is based on the separation of ideas to ensure that each paragraph presents one original idea. In this case, each paragraph in this section must follow the sandwich rule, which dictates the organization of paragraph elements:

• Topic sentence – States the main idea for that paragraph.
• Evidence – Provides the information that is crucial to the paragraph’s idea.
• Evaluation of evidence – Explains the relevance of the evidence and offers an interpretation of the evidence.
• Transition statement – Summarises the paragraph and links it to the thesis statement or the next paragraph.

Conclusion (Approximately 10% of the Word Count)

1. Restating the Main Argument

• The first statement in the paragraph should repeat the main argument presented in the thesis statement.
• It should not contain the same words as the thesis statement, but keywords can be reused.
• Provide a detailed overview of the main points of the essay logically.
• Demonstrate the value of the main points in answering the essay prompt.

Five-Paragraph American Dream Essay Outline Sample

Introduction/Paragraph 1

Hook: Besides the differences in the American populations, they are similar because they pursue the same dream.

Overview of the topic: Outline some of the differences in the American population.

Thesis statement: Creating equal opportunities allows individuals to achieve upward mobility.

Paragraph 2 :

Topic sentence: Breaking down social mobility and its quantification.

Evidence: Definition and measures of social mobility.

Evaluation of evidence: Illustrate how upward social mobility is achieved while referring to the measures.

Transition statement: Introduces the need for self-improvement for social mobility to occur.

Paragraph 3 :

Topic sentence: Opportunity is a requirement for social mobility.

Evidence: The role of education in equipping an individual to utilize opportunities.

Evaluation of evidence: Demonstrate the link between education, access to jobs, and the ability to improve an individual’s quality of life.

Transition statement: Recognise that there are socially constructed limitations on the accessibility of opportunities.

Paragraph 4 :

Topic sentence: Discriminative practices affect an individual’s access to opportunities for social mobility.

Evidence: Identify some forms of discrimination and explain the occurrence of discriminative practices.

Evaluation of evidence: Describe the value of government and organization’s role in managing discriminative practices using policies that uphold equality.

Transition statement: Stress the centrality of equality in the argument for opportunity access and upward mobility.

Conclusion/Paragraph 5 :

Restating the main argument: Emphasise the importance of equality in securing opportunities for upward mobility and the attainment of the American Dream.

Summary: Allude to the measures of social mobility, the interaction between discriminative practices and opportunities, and the relief provided by policies on equality.

Sample of Five-Paragraph American Dream Essay

Topic: The Promise of the American Dream

Introduction

Although we are different, we share a single dream. In this case, the American population is composed of people of different genders, races, education levels, religions, and disability statuses. Nonetheless, each American is entitled to the opportunity to make themselves better regardless of the underlying differences. Thus, the American Dream thesis statement is that it is founded on the promise of equal opportunity for upward social mobility.

Social Mobility

Social mobility is a multidimensional concept. It can be assessed using a variety of measures that attempt to quantify the change occurring in an individual’s life. For example, the ability of an individual to move along the social hierarchy may be described as social mobility. In turn, there are different measures of social mobility. However, each one is focused on a specific aspect of average Americans’ livelihood:

• health status – the susceptibility of an individual to diseases,
• education – an individual’s highest level of education,
• homeownership – the capability of an individual to acquire permanent housing.

Upward social mobility implies that an individual can improve their position in the social hierarchy through improving their performance on any of the measures of social mobility. Therefore, upward social mobility is the desired outcome of a successful pursuit of desired goals because it suggests some form of self-improvement.

Opportunity

The opportunity for upward mobility is vital in pursuing the desired goals. Basically, access to opportunity is facilitated by some factors, for example, access to quality education. In this case, an individual that has attended school and acquired the necessary skills has a higher likelihood of securing a job. If individuals acquire jobs, it becomes easier to secure health insurance, buy homes, and improve the quality of life for their families. Moreover, individuals can only attain what they want if they are provided access to basic education, which prepares them to maximize any opportunities. However, it is difficult for an average individual to pursue opportunities without the government’s efforts to increase the ease of access to basic needs.

Equality Policies

Many barriers affect an average American’s ability to access positive opportunities, and it manifests in the form of discriminative practices in society. In this case, discrimination in society may occur based on a variety of issues, for example, gender, disability, religion, and race. Basically, personal biases create ideological differences regarding superiority in the social hierarchy. It pushes individuals to deny others access to opportunities and the necessary skills to exploit those opportunities. Moreover, state and organizational policies against discrimination are created and enforced to maintain equality among Americans. These laws serve to eliminate the barriers that exist between hardworking people and the American Dream. Consequently, equality among individuals ensures that all individuals can take advantage of opportunities regardless of their gender, disability status, religion, race, and other social differences that tend to create boundaries between social groups.

Equality is crucial in the pursuit of the American Dream because it provides each individual with the opportunity to move up the social hierarchy. In this case, people can access upward social mobility by using various measures, which quantify an individual’s quality of life. Moreover, opportunities may exist, but individuals need to be assisted in developing themselves to a level where they can utilize the available opportunities. Hence, equality policies are useful in curtailing the power of discriminative practices in reinforcing social mobility barriers.

American Dream Essay Topics

• The origin of the American Dream.
• Intergenerational differences in the definition of the American Dream.
• The American Dream in contemporary music.
• Does society still believe in the American Dream?
• Defining the American Dream through the racial lens.
• Individualism and the American Dream.
• The influence of unrestricted surveillance on the American Dream.
• Health care policies and the American Dream.
• The impacts of globalization on the American Dream.
• The rise of right-wing populism and the future of the American Dream.

Summing up on the American Dream Essay

The capacity of a person to participate in the discourse on the controversial essay topic nurtured through the continuous practice of structured essay writing. Basically, the concept may be approached from a different perspective, depending on the individual’s beliefs and personal experiences. Nonetheless, the written presentation of these points of view is achieved through the use of structured essays. The five-paragraph American Dream essay examined in this paper is a useful tool for the expression of any argument on the topic.

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Chasing Dreams: A Critical Examination of the American Dream Essay

Dear students, embark on a thought-provoking journey as we delve into the complexities of the American Dream in this meticulously crafted essay. Tailored for learners of all classes, this piece navigates the nuances of aspirations, opportunities, and challenges that define the elusive concept of the American Dream.

Essay (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On American Dream: An Argumentative Exploration of Pursuit and Reality

In the tapestry of American ideals, the concept of the American Dream looms large, promising a narrative of boundless opportunities and upward mobility. As F. Scott Fitzgerald aptly noted, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” This essay seeks to unpack the layers of the American Dream, acknowledging its allure while critically examining the disparities between the promise and the reality. Beyond the rhetoric, we navigate the complex landscape of dreams, hopes, and societal expectations that shape the American narrative.

On the positive side, the American Dream has been a driving force behind innovation, entrepreneurship, and social progress. It motivates individuals to strive for success, pushing the boundaries of human potential. For instance, countless stories of immigrants achieving prosperity and social mobility attest to the transformative power of the American Dream. The dream serves as a beacon, inspiring individuals to overcome challenges and carve out a better future for themselves and their families.

However, the cons emerge as the gap widens between the dream’s promise and the reality for many. Economic disparities, systemic inequalities, and limited access to opportunities create barriers that hinder the realization of the American Dream for certain demographics. The cons are evident in the persistence of social mobility challenges, where one’s socioeconomic background often determines the trajectory of their aspirations. The dream becomes elusive when structural obstacles limit the upward mobility of individuals, challenging the notion of an equal playing field.

Moreover, the commodification of the American Dream in popular culture and media adds a layer of complexity. On one hand, the dream is celebrated as a symbol of hope and resilience. On the other hand, the romanticized portrayal of success can contribute to unrealistic expectations and a sense of failure for those who do not achieve the stereotypical markers of success. The cons lie in the potential disillusionment that arises when the pursuit of the American Dream becomes a one-size-fits-all narrative, neglecting the diverse paths to fulfillment and happiness.

In concluding our exploration of the American Dream, let us recognize the multifaceted nature of this concept. While it has served as a catalyst for ambition and progress, the dream’s realization remains elusive for many. As students and participants in the American narrative, we hold the power to critically examine and reshape the contours of the dream. In the spirit of Fitzgerald’s reflection on the ceaseless pursuit, let us strive for a collective future where the American Dream transcends its limitations, embracing a vision of opportunity and prosperity that is truly accessible to all.

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Student Opinion

Do You Think the American Dream Is Real?

By Jeremy Engle

• Feb. 12, 2019

What does the American dream mean to you? A house with a white picket fence? Lavish wealth? A life better than your parents’?

Do you think you will be able to achieve the American dream?

In “ The American Dream Is Alive and Well ,” Samuel J. Abrams writes:

I am pleased to report that the American dream is alive and well for an overwhelming majority of Americans. This claim might sound far-fetched given the cultural climate in the United States today. Especially since President Trump took office, hardly a day goes by without a fresh tale of economic anxiety, political disunity or social struggle. Opportunities to achieve material success and social mobility through hard, honest work — which many people, including me, have assumed to be the core idea of the American dream — appear to be diminishing. But Americans, it turns out, have something else in mind when they talk about the American dream. And they believe that they are living it. Last year the American Enterprise Institute and I joined forces with the research center NORC at the University of Chicago and surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,411 Americans about their attitudes toward community and society. The center is renowned for offering “deep” samples of Americans, not just random ones, so that researchers can be confident that they are reaching Americans in all walks of life: rural, urban, exurban and so on. Our findings were released on Tuesday as an American Enterprise Institute report.

What our survey found about the American dream came as a surprise to me. When Americans were asked what makes the American dream a reality, they did not select as essential factors becoming wealthy, owning a home or having a successful career. Instead, 85 percent indicated that “to have freedom of choice in how to live” was essential to achieving the American dream. In addition, 83 percent indicated that “a good family life” was essential. The “traditional” factors (at least as I had understood them) were seen as less important. Only 16 percent said that to achieve the American dream, they believed it was essential to “become wealthy,” only 45 percent said it was essential “to have a better quality of life than your parents,” and just 49 percent said that “having a successful career” was key.

The Opinion piece continues:

The data also show that most Americans believe themselves to be achieving this version of the American dream, with 41 percent reporting that their families are already living the American dream and another 41 percent reporting that they are well on the way to doing so. Only 18 percent took the position that the American dream was out of reach for them

Collectively, 82 percent of Americans said they were optimistic about their future, and there was a fairly uniform positive outlook across the nation. Factors such as region, urbanity, partisanship and housing type (such as a single‐family detached home versus an apartment) barely affected these patterns, with all groups hovering around 80 percent. Even race and ethnicity, which are regularly cited as key factors in thwarting upward mobility, corresponded to no real differences in outlook: Eighty-one percent of non‐Hispanic whites; 80 percent of blacks, Hispanics and those of mixed race; and 85 percent of those with Asian heritage said that they had achieved or were on their way to achieving the American dream.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

— What does the American dream mean to you? Did reading this article change your definition? Do you think your own dreams are different from those of your parents at your age? Your grandparents?

— Do you believe your family has achieved, or is on the way to achieving, the American dream? Why or why not? Do you think you will be able to achieve the American dream when you are older? What leads you to believe this?

— Do you think the American dream is available to all Americans or are there boundaries and obstacles for some? If yes, what are they?

— The article concludes:

What conclusions should we draw from this research? I think the findings suggest that Americans would be well served to focus less intently on the nastiness of our partisan politics and the material temptations of our consumer culture, and to focus more on the communities they are part of and exercising their freedom to live as they wish. After all, that is what most of us seem to think is what really matters — and it’s in reach for almost all of us.

Do you agree? What other conclusions might be drawn? Does this article make you more optimistic about this country and your future?

— Is the American dream a useful concept? Is it helpful in measuring our own or our country’s health and success? Do you believe it is, or has ever been, an ideal worth striving for? Is there any drawback to continuing to use the concept even as its meaning evolves?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Reinventing the American Dream: a Modern Perspective

This essay about the evolving concept of the American Dream explores its historical roots and modern-day implications. It delves into how this ideal has transformed over time, from the pioneer spirit of early settlers to the suburban aspirations of the mid-20th century. The essay highlights the challenges facing the American Dream in today’s world, such as income inequality and social mobility issues. Ultimately, it calls for a reinvention of the American Dream for the 21st century—one that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusivity while empowering individuals to pursue their aspirations with resilience and determination.

How it works

Embedded within the cultural psyche of the United States lies a concept as nebulous as it is enduring—the American Dream. This notion, a cornerstone of American identity, has evolved and transformed through the annals of history, adapting to the changing landscapes of society, economics, and culture. Today, as we stand on the precipice of a new era, it becomes imperative to revisit and redefine what the American Dream truly represents in the modern context.

At its essence, the American Dream encapsulates the belief that every individual possesses the innate potential for success and prosperity, irrespective of their origins or circumstances.

It serves as a beacon of hope, promising a pathway to self-realization and fulfillment through hard work, determination, and resilience. Yet, in the tapestry of American history, the Dream has worn many faces, each reflective of the prevailing ideals and aspirations of its time.

In the early days of the nation’s inception, the American Dream was synonymous with the promise of boundless opportunity and frontier spirit. For settlers and immigrants alike, the allure of the uncharted wilderness represented a chance for a fresh start, free from the constraints of class and hierarchy. The Dream, in its nascent form, embodied the pursuit of liberty, self-sufficiency, and the quest for a better life—a sentiment that continues to echo through the corridors of time.

As the nation underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the American Dream evolved to encompass the trappings of material success and upward mobility. The rise of the middle class and the advent of mass production fueled aspirations of homeownership, economic stability, and social advancement. The Dream became synonymous with the idealized vision of suburban bliss—a place where one could carve out their own slice of the American Dream, complete with a white picket fence and a steady job.

In the aftermath of World War II, the American Dream reached its zenith, propelled by unprecedented economic growth and social mobility. The post-war era saw the expansion of the American middle class, bolstered by government programs such as the GI Bill and the proliferation of suburbia. For millions of Americans, the Dream manifested in the form of upward mobility, educational opportunities, and the promise of a better future for their children—a testament to the power of collective ambition and perseverance.

However, the landscape of the American Dream has undergone seismic shifts in recent decades, as globalization, technological innovation, and widening inequality have reshaped the contours of American society. The Dream, once seen as a beacon of hope and opportunity, now stands at a crossroads, grappling with existential questions of accessibility, equity, and inclusivity.

In today’s interconnected world, the American Dream takes on new dimensions, reflecting the diverse tapestry of contemporary American life. It is a Dream that transcends borders and boundaries, embracing the ideals of multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice. It is a Dream that recognizes the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Yet, for many Americans, the Dream remains elusive—a distant mirage on the horizon, just out of reach. As income inequality continues to soar and social mobility stagnates, the promise of upward mobility becomes increasingly tenuous for those trapped in the cycle of poverty and despair. The Dream, once a source of inspiration and aspiration, risks becoming a hollow shell of its former self—a relic of a bygone era, disconnected from the realities of modern American life.

In the face of these challenges, it becomes imperative to reinvent and reinvigorate the American Dream for the 21st century. It is a Dream that embraces innovation, creativity, and resilience—a Dream that empowers individuals to chart their own course and pursue their passions with vigor and determination. It is a Dream that fosters a sense of belonging and community, where every voice is heard, and every dream is valued.

As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, let us not lose sight of the fundamental principles that underpin the American Dream. Let us strive to build a society where opportunity is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a birthright bestowed upon all. Let us reignite the spirit of possibility and optimism that has fueled the American Dream for generations, ensuring that it remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.

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The American Dream (Argumentative Essay Sample)

The american dream.

The American dream may mean pursuing a happy life with a sustainable job, a family, acquiring wealth or success in life. This vision surrounds freedom of having an opportunity to prosper in life. Thus, people have the opportunity to achieve their goals by whatever means irrespective of the nation one comes. This dream is made possible due to equal opportunity for all. For example, most people have been successful in America due to their educational achievement, business achievement. However, achieving the American dream is not a walk in the park since it requires hard work, determination, and passion. People from different countries love to be in America hence most of the immigrants are flocking the nation. Others usually feel disappointed when they are denied visas to relocate to America either to be permanent citizens or for education purposes. All these activities happen because people want to achieve the American dream.

Attaining American dream requires a career that is to be achieved amidst struggle. For example, securing a good job requires proper education which is expensive besides seeking relevant human relation skills that form part of the dream. However, this dream is accessible due to the available opportunities as well as ways to improve on a career. People require an environment where they can thrive and freely mingle to achieve the American dream, and that can only be attained due to the presence of human rights and freedom of speech.

On a separate note, American dream involves happiness which comes as a result of achievement as an individual who wants to accomplish goals such as becoming rich or being famous. However, achieving such happy life requires hard work. This idea was also supported by Bill Rancis who said, “The American Dream is still alive out there, and hard work will get you there. You don’t necessarily need an Ivy League education or to have millions of dollars startup money. It can be done with an idea, hard work, and determination” (Rancic).  This quote attests that achieving American dream requires hard work and perseverance.

The American dream can also be achieved through other means apart from attaining education. For instance, many rich Americans have achieved their dreams in unexpected ways.  A good example is Oprah Winfrey who is one of the gorgeous women on earth pursued her American dream despite her humble background. She was an orphan who was raised by her grandmother in poverty.  On a separate note, Kevin Garnett struggled from a street, but his love for games made him a professional basketball player in the USA while Tupac Shakur who had no home became a famous rapper.

The American dream is accessible due to freedom and rights. For example, schools are free to everybody. People have equal opportunity for achievement.  On the same note, people have equal opportunities for employment due to education systems that are not discriminative.  The schools also offer opportunities for special options based on interests. Besides, people view American dream as laws that protect people as well as enabling them to achieve their potential. Therefore, people can contribute to the society as well as developing themselves.  The progress of citizens is pegged on their protection hence through their rights. Thus, they can live healthy lives.

On the contrary, some people believe that American dream is unattainable and do not believe that it is good life or happiness as they languish in poverty, oppression, and discrimination regarding race, color, religion and gender among others.

In conclusion, even though some people feel that American dream is unachievable, it can be achieved by both the US citizens and the immigrants who are committed to their objectives of attaining a good life due to hard work, determination and having a passion for the dream.

Essay Basics can be a part of your academic journey if you let us. Advantages of our essay writing service beat any other essay company offers in the industry.

Is the American Dream Still Alive? Essay

Introduction, the american dream.

• Factors affecting the achievement of the American Dream
• Is the American Dream achievable for all people? Why or why not
• The future of the America Dream

The debate about the American Dream has been common in recent years. Some people have held that the American dream is alive, whereas others have contested this argument asserting that the American Dream remains elusive.

There are various events which have taken place in the United States that have greatly impacted the aspect of the American Dream. Nonetheless, the future of the dream rests with the people and their resilience in pursuing it. This paper will elaborate on the concept of the American Dream in a modern day America.

The American Dream can be defined as a summation of national values entrenched in the culture of the United States. The dream emphasizes on the freedoms and rights of American citizens, and promises the prospect of prosperity and accomplishment. In early 1930s, James Truslow Adams defined the American Dream as something different from the conventional belief.

He argued that the dream should not be defined in terms of material things and good employment opportunities. Instead, the definition should be based on social grounds, whereby every individual has to exploit his or her potential maximally irrespective of his or her background (Davis-Laack,para 4).

In essence, the definition of the American Dream depends on an individual. Some people define it in respect to economic success; others in terms of education; while others define the term in relation to equality in social justice. It is true that as the American society keeps changing, so does the definition of the American Dream.

During times of economic hardship, people define the dream in respect to the economy; in times of civil strive, as the case during the civil rights movement, it was defined in terms of social justice and equality. Everyone coming to the United States holds a unique definition of the American Dream (Davis-Laack,para 5).

Factors affecting the achievement of the “American Dream”

In the pursuit of the American Dream, there are various factors which come in the way of individuals concerned. Race and ethnicity are among the various factors that affect the pursuit of the American Dream.

In this regard, the minority groups in the United States are often on the receiving end when pursuing the American Dream. For instance, when the economic recession hit the U.S., most of those who were affected were Latinos and African Americans. This is because a huge percentage of those who lost their jobs were from these minority groups (Hernandez,para 5).

Another aspect affecting the achievement of the dream is the economic environment. In this case, most individuals hope to land a job opportunity to make a living. In addition, to have achieved the American Dream, individuals struggle to have a home of their own. Therefore, people measure their achievement in respect to having secured a decent job and being able to own a home (Hernandez, para 11; Davis-Laack, para 5).

Apart from the economic and race factors, there is another factor which affects achievement of the American Dream. This includes equal treatment of people irrespective of their nationality, race, ethnicity and financial position. In his famous speech, Martin Luther King Jr. elaborated on the need to treat individuals based on the content of their character as opposed to the color of their skin.

He outlined social injustices as a major impediment towards the realization of the American Dream among the African Americans. Martin Luther King longed for a society where everyone will be treated equally and social justice upheld among all racial groups (King, Jr., paras 13; 17).

Is the “American Dream” achievable for all people? Why or why not

In the modern American society, it can be observed that the American Dream has remained elusive to many Americans. This is because many people in the United States have found it difficult to realize the dream. The immigrant population in America is the most affected. This is because they have found it difficult to realize the American Dream.

This is despite the fact that it was the main attracting factor that made them leave their home countries. The American society is viewed as one in which democratic tenets are the main pillars. In this case, America is depicted as a society which offers an opportunity to individuals to express themselves and enjoy the necessary freedoms and rights as human beings. America is also seen as a society that is tolerant to differences and one that embraces diversity (lam, para 20).

The immigrants had a hard time coming to the United States in the recent past. Things turned from bad to worse following the September 11 th terrorist attacks. The immigrant population in the United States has been subjected to unfair treatment, all under the guise of national security (lam, para 3).

Essentially, the American society often shifts blame to the immigrant population when things go haywire. Following the economic crisis that rocked the U.S., immigrants were blamed for having been the cause. In addition, in the war against terrorism, the immigrants are often used as a scapegoat and blamed for terrorist activities (lam, para 5).

In most instances, the immigrants are denied their rights and freedoms under the pretense of facilitating national security. The adoption of the U.S.A. Patriot Act has made it official to arrest immigrants without warrants and rubberstamped the subsequent detention of suspects for undesignated period (lam, para 6).

The government security agencies conduct unchecked surveillance over the immigrant population. Immigrants of Arab origin are more likely to bear the brand of the new security measures as they stand the risk of being arrested and deported on trivial grounds.

The advancement in technology has worsened the situation for the immigrant population. They are subjected to surveillance and wiretapping without their knowledge. A new program, Total Information Awareness, that is aimed at identifying terrorists is being developed by Pentagon and might be put to usage in the near future.

The right to privacy of the immigrants has been infringed as the government security agencies are protected by legislation to spy on the immigrants (lam, para 12). The immigrants also risk losing their jobs if they speak out their opinion. All these aspects make the achievement of the American Dream futile to some people.

Apart from the immigrant population, it can be noted that the minority groups in the United States find it difficult to achieve the American Dream. Racial profiling is a common trend among the police. In this regard, people of African American descent and other minority groups are arrested and imprisoned on trivial violations of the law. Essentially, there has been a bias in the manner in which the police conduct their arrests.

The future of the “America Dream”

The American Dream has remained an elusive aspect even though it is the driving engine that puts the United States in a leading position in the world. The American Dream lays emphasis on hard work which guarantees an individual some respect in the society and a good life.

The American Dream has been carried on for generations, and it still lives on. This means that the American Dream will continue to thrive in the future. As much as there are assertions that people have failed to realize the American Dream, it can be argued that this is what has made America to become a great nation.

For the American Dream to stay alive, it is necessary that people should come up with renewed energy to revamp the chase for the dream. Though it may appear as if the American Dream has remained elusive for long, it would continued to attract many people around the world.

The immigrants come to the U.S. with expectations, but they need to reenergize themselves in the pursuit of the American Dream. In order for the American Dream to continue being alive, people should not be afraid of coming to the U.S.; instead, they should come and aspire to realize the dream. This is what has kept America going. The future of the American Dream looks bright as many people from all over the world keep fighting for a chance to advance their lives, and the US is seen as the land of opportunities.

There is no doubt that the American Dream will continue to thrive now and even in the future. What is amazing about the American Dream is the fact that it keeps changing to adapt to the theme of the moment. As many more people immigrate to the United States, they hope to achieve the ever elusive dream. Nonetheless, this is what has kept people to come through challenging times.

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 25). Is the American Dream Still Alive? https://ivypanda.com/essays/is-the-american-dream-still-alive/

"Is the American Dream Still Alive?" IvyPanda , 25 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/is-the-american-dream-still-alive/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Is the American Dream Still Alive'. 25 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Is the American Dream Still Alive?" October 25, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/is-the-american-dream-still-alive/.

1. IvyPanda . "Is the American Dream Still Alive?" October 25, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/is-the-american-dream-still-alive/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Is the American Dream Still Alive?" October 25, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/is-the-american-dream-still-alive/.

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Home — Essay Samples — Economics — American Dream — The American Dream: An Illusion or Reality

The American Dream: an Illusion Or Reality

• Categories: American Dream Immigration to America

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Published: Nov 19, 2018

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