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Christian Brummett
Laurie Bailar
English 1000
June 25th, 2016
Living The Dream
Does the American Dream exist or is it just a myth? Does today's generation strive to
achieve a better life like generations past? 50 years ago one would say the dream was a place to
call home with loved ones and a steady income. Many would say, today the American dream is
more about being a famous movie or rock star than settling for a normal average life. Others may
say that todays generation is comfortable, not chasing any dreams, and influenced heavily by
others opinions. These people would support their ideas with saying young adults are swayed by
politicians and peers instead of forming their own opinions. I personally believe the American
Dream was always present and still is today. I believe the American Dream is freedom. The
freedom to decide ones own future. There is a direct correlation between hard work and success.
Everyone in America has the ability to achieve their goals.
Authors Keli Goff and Cameron Smith both hold strong opinions on the American
Dream. Keli Goff, in The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance, elaborates on how in
todays generation many are chasing the American Dream of home ownership, marriage, children
and a higher income. Cameron Smith in Keeping the Dream Alive is Your Responsibility and
Mine agrees with Goff by describing the American Dream as "...opportunity, bettering ourselves,
building community...and parents striving to leave a better future for their children." Although
both authors describe the American Dream as "ownership" and "a white picket fence", they
argue Americans in todays generation are not achieving this dream for different reasons.
Goff believes the American dream is unachievable by 7 in 8 Americans because of
money. She says the American Dream "...costs approximately $130,000 annually". She says,

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because of this outrageous price tag the American Dream is "...dead, and good riddance".
Simultaneously, she describes the transformation that has come from the loss of the American
Dream. She says many people in the present generations are dropping the desire of a family and
steady job, then instead living alone and working odd jobs in order to splurge on independent
items such as "theatre tickets". Goff I felt stands on the side with people who believe that our
generation is not chasing large dreams but instead settling for comfort and happiness. I though
believe this is still the American Dream. Whether an individual chooses to live alone, work
sparingly, and travel the world on their little funds, or spend hours at work, living with their
spouse and pursuing a Doctorate degree they are living their American Dream by achieving
exactly what they wanted and worked for. In Goff's article she references another author James
Truslow Adams who described the American Dream as "...not a dream of motor cars and high
wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to
obtain the fullest stature of which they are innately capable...". As I said, I feel that Adams stands
behind my belief of the American Dream being achieved by a person reaching a position they
have worked for.
On the other hand, Smith believes the American Dream is now unachievable because of
political issues. These issues encompassing topics and influences such as "...geography and
ideology; race and religion; wealth and opportunity". Smith supports the idea that our generation
is swayed by pressure of politics, leaders, and peers. He elaborates upon the previous statement
by describing political influence: "We've had plenty of politicians who try to take advantage of
these divisions- pitting Americans against each other". Smith believes without this unity among
Americans no one can achieve the American Dream. Some people agree with Smith about how
"televisions, computers, phones, and mailboxes carry a steady stream of division...". He even

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includes a quote from the pledge to stress how important unity is; "'One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty...". I greatly oppose Smith's ideas, and instead again support the
opposition he provides. Smith also references James Truslow Adams, as opposition, with the
quote: "The American Dream described as 'that dream of a land in which life should be better
and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or
achievement'". Smith although agreeing with the first portion of the description of unity does not
necessarily claim support for the latter of the statement. I though, feel more strongly for the
second portion. Again, the idea that the American Dream is not one standard but just an
individual achieving their own personal goals according to their work and abilities.
I believe the American Dream is still alive today. The American Dream being the ability
to make choices and changes every day that determine and affect your own future. No one is
required to go to college or even a trade school. Higher education is a choice. Success also can
be achieved without a college education. Success can be achieved in all different forms. Some
will have to work harder than others but, every has the same opportunity to the pursuit of
happiness. If a person wants to become a doctor, lawyer, or even President of the United States
they all have the same fortuity. Some people might argue that being born poor will hold them
back because they lack the same environment and support as others. These disadvantages can be
overcome with hard work and effort. The American Dream is not the ownership of the "white
picket fence". The American Dream is what the "white picket fence" symbolizes. The very
concept that if you want something, the only obstacle between you and your dreams is yourself.