James Truslow Adams invented the term “American Dream” when he wrote that the American Dream “is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement, regardless of social class or circumstances of birth” (qtd. in King 572-573). The idea of the American Dream has changed substantially over time. When the American Dream was first developed, society focused on making an income, starting a family, and owning a house. On the other hand, many Americans have a different outlook on the American Dream. Some citizens question whether the American Dream is still alive. In fact, some say that the American Dream is nonexistent. However, the American Dream is not dead but has just been adapted to fit today’s society. Even though some citizens believe achieving the American Dream means getting rich, starting a family, and owning property, the American Dream has adapted to mean saving money, building careers, and renting property. Older generations associate the American Dream with getting a job and working constantly in that job in hopes of becoming rich; however, the American Dream is now associated with saving money and a modest lifestyle. It has become common today to dismiss the idea of the American Dream because many Americans have settled for a more modest lifestyle instead of pursuing copious amounts of wealth. According to New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, “However you want to define the American Dream, there is not much of it that is left anymore. Wherever you choose to look-- at the economy and jobs. . .--you’ll see a country in sad shape” (Herbert 564). The essence of Herbert’s argument is that the American Dream is nonexistent because the economy and jobs are not as satisfactory as they previously were. Americans used to be able to constantly work hard and get rich. Though many Americans work hard today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to become rich. While it is true that the economy is down and jobs are not as available as they once were, it does not necessarily follow that the American Dream is dead. Many Americans have simply adapted the American Dream to fit today’s society. One way Americans have done this is by trying to save money instead of aiming to get rich. In his article “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” Author Brandon King’s view is that “Today, most people do not strive for a rags-to-riches transition, and instead prefer a stable, middle-class lifestyle, on in which they can focus on saving money for the future and having secure employment” (King 573). In other words, Americans today are not focused on becoming rich, but rather making a stable living for themselves and saving money. In today’s economy, this is the more practical choice. The goal of saving money is, in turn, the result of Americans starting a family later in their lives. Some believe getting married and starting a family is essential to achieve the American Dream; however, in today’s society, Americans are starting families later because focusing on careers is more important. According to “Historical Context” an article published in Student Resources in Context, “Middle-class Americans were marrying younger and in greater numbers than previously, and many of these young married couples were moving out of the cities, building houses in the rapidly-expanding suburbs, and filling their new houses with babies (“Historical Context” par. 1). While it is true that society used to start families early, starting families is no longer a priority for the American Dream to be achieved. In fact, in the article “U.S. Women Having Babies Later Than Ever- Study” by David Beasley, Beasley notes, “Women in the United States are waiting longer than ever to have babies, with the average age for first childbirth rising to a record high of 26.3 years” (Beasley par. 1). Many Americans must focus on paying off student debts and saving money. Also, many more women are established in the working field in this generation. Therefore, Americans are putting their career first, and starting a family is no longer part of the American Dream. Along with starting a family, owning a home is not a top priority in this generation either. Older generations hold the belief that to achieve the American Dream, citizens must invest in a home; however, owning a home is not necessary to the American Dream. Fox News Watch panelist Cal Thomas says the American Dream “has meant building a life based on the foundational principles that created and have sustained America for more than 200 years” (Thomas 568). For many years in America, a person could not achieve the American Dream without owning a home. This is no longer true in society. The American Dream is no longer based on the foundational principles that made this country because America has substantially changed since the first ideals of the American Dream were established. Today, many Americans are accepting a more modest lifestyle. The amount of Americans who own houses has decreased over the years. In his article “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?”, author Brandon King writes, “More and more people now rent their homes instead of buying; a recent study showed a decrease in homeownership from 69% in 2005 to about 66.7% in 2010, and an increase in renter households of 1.1 million” (King 574). King’s point is that more Americans are choosing to rent houses or apartments instead of purchasing property. This is because today’s generation does not correlate owning a house to being successful. Americans do not see as great a value in investing their money into real estate as they previously did. Instead, they are cutting their spending habits in order to save money for the future. The American Dream has transitioned from investing money into expensive property into renting property in order to save money. The American Dream was invented because society had a vision of achieving a richer life full of opportunities. This included getting rich, starting a family, and owning property. The American Dream is not this anymore because America is constantly changing and moving forward. As America itself changes, so does the American Dream. Although the American Dream is not the same as it used to be, it is still existent. The American Dream is not achieved by getting rich, starting a family, and owning property but by saving money, building careers, and renting property.
Works Cited Beasley, David. “U.S. Women Having Babies Later Than Ever- Study.” Reuters Health e-Line, 14 Jan. 2016. Student Resources in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A439911285/SUIC?u=chil38234&xid=0a558729. Accessed 24 Feb. 2017. Herbert, Bob. "Hiding from Reality" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 564-567. Print. King, Brandon. "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 572- 578. Print. Thomas, Cal. "Is the American Dream Over?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 568-571. Print. “Historical Context: Seize the Day.” Novels for Students, Gale, Detroit, 1998. Student Resources in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2168300015/SUIC?u=chil38234&xid=4e4fb781. Accessed 2017.