How would you describe the “American Dream?”
The American Dream is an almost unattainable concept that was created to instill optimism in the hearts of pessimistic Americans. The dream can be achieved by not only having a 4 bedroom home with a white picket fence, a dog, 2.5 children, a husband with a steady job and a wife that is completely content with succumbing to the restricting gender roles of being a house wife, but by also being happy and economically sound. This is what I was taught to strive for when I was in elementary school. I needed to find a husband with a great job, maybe a doctor or a lawyer, and we would live in a huge house that I would clean from top to bottom while simultaneously taking care of our children. But, like all things, the concept of the American Dream has changed over time. I would say that the American Dream now is to just be economically sound and happy. It has become less of a materialistic thing and more of an emotional standing point, at least in my opinion. After 2008, the dream had to change inevitably, because who could keep their dog when they couldn't even keep their house? Who would want to have that other .5 of a child when Suzy is about to go to college and her fund is all tapped out? Who would take care of that new baby when mommy had to find a job? As the social and economic climate of America changes, the American Dream has new bars set.
What is your definition of wealth?
My definition of wealth is having a plethora of all the things that you need and some of the things that you don't. Wealth obviously isn't limited by the definition of having a ton of money, and it never should be. Having wealth is having a lot of things to be happy about; having wealth is being able to provide for yourself and your loved ones without being strained financially or emotionally.
What are Americans’ attitudes toward wealth and poverty? What is your attitude toward wealth and poverty?
These two words are often used to describe someone, and less as nouns. Americans view being "wealthy" as being synonymous with successful and powerful, while they view "poverty" as being the same as uneducated and burdens on society. These two terms seem to be on opposite sides of the spectrum by the American definition, while in reality, they can be intertwined in several ways. It is known that many things in our society are not black and white; most things like gender and sexuality, fall in a spectrum instead of being this or that and nothing else. But, in our society, we tend to think of everything having an opposite, wealth and poverty being one. In my opinion, an impoverished person can still have wealth, can still be educated, and can still be successful in their own ways. A wealthy person can still be impoverished, can still fail, and can still be uneducated. The definitions of these two terms are loose and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, in America, we tend to look at things one way, and it limits our society's progression.
I believe that everyone has wealth in some aspects of their life, and in other aspects they are impoverished. It is definitely extremely difficult to reach the status of American defined wealth, yet extremely easy to be seen as impoverished.
The American Dream is an almost unattainable concept that was created to instill optimism in the hearts of pessimistic Americans. The dream can be achieved by not only having a 4 bedroom home with a white picket fence, a dog, 2.5 children, a husband with a steady job and a wife that is completely content with succumbing to the restricting gender roles of being a house wife, but by also being happy and economically sound. This is what I was taught to strive for when I was in elementary school. I needed to find a husband with a great job, maybe a doctor or a lawyer, and we would live in a huge house that I would clean from top to bottom while simultaneously taking care of our children. But, like all things, the concept of the American Dream has changed over time. I would say that the American Dream now is to just be economically sound and happy. It has become less of a materialistic thing and more of an emotional standing point, at least in my opinion. After 2008, the dream had to change inevitably, because who could keep their dog when they couldn't even keep their house? Who would want to have that other .5 of a child when Suzy is about to go to college and her fund is all tapped out? Who would take care of that new baby when mommy had to find a job? As the social and economic climate of America changes, the American Dream has new bars set.
What is your definition of wealth?
My definition of wealth is having a plethora of all the things that you need and some of the things that you don't. Wealth obviously isn't limited by the definition of having a ton of money, and it never should be. Having wealth is having a lot of things to be happy about; having wealth is being able to provide for yourself and your loved ones without being strained financially or emotionally.
What are Americans’ attitudes toward wealth and poverty? What is your attitude toward wealth and poverty?
These two words are often used to describe someone, and less as nouns. Americans view being "wealthy" as being synonymous with successful and powerful, while they view "poverty" as being the same as uneducated and burdens on society. These two terms seem to be on opposite sides of the spectrum by the American definition, while in reality, they can be intertwined in several ways. It is known that many things in our society are not black and white; most things like gender and sexuality, fall in a spectrum instead of being this or that and nothing else. But, in our society, we tend to think of everything having an opposite, wealth and poverty being one. In my opinion, an impoverished person can still have wealth, can still be educated, and can still be successful in their own ways. A wealthy person can still be impoverished, can still fail, and can still be uneducated. The definitions of these two terms are loose and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, in America, we tend to look at things one way, and it limits our society's progression.
I believe that everyone has wealth in some aspects of their life, and in other aspects they are impoverished. It is definitely extremely difficult to reach the status of American defined wealth, yet extremely easy to be seen as impoverished.
Shaunaci, your sass is killing me!! Seriously, a great post. I think you brought up some very valuable, thought-provoking points. I like that you discussed the historical context surrounding the "American Dream". It really was a giant propaganda campaign and it's crazy to think how tightly we hold on to this fictional ideal today. Do you think propaganda, like that surrounding the American Dream, is more positive or negative? (I don't mean to make things too black and white, so feel free to answer with a sliding scale).
ReplyDeleteLove this! I really like how you brought up that wealth isn't always about money, but's it's something that is dependent of each individual. I think America tends to associate money with happiness and poverty with unhappiness. I also like how you brought in the history to the American Dream and how it isn't exactly a positive thing. Especially within the context of Gatsby, for instance, you see Tom and Daisy have this ideal life, but it's without happiness. It's strange how we associate the word "dream" as something positive.. If we're being literal, most of my dreams are weird, without plot, and aren't exactly positive.. To go off of that tangent, interesting post, really enjoyed it hahaha
ReplyDeleteSh'anne'sea (I think we should still to that spelling from now on hah) !
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea about everyone having wealth whether or not it be from possessions or money. I think most people focus on that part because it equals into the power to push down the others who don't have it. My question for you would be, is there a type of wealth that you personally value over other kinds of wealth? I would choose the wealth of words because to me that is the richest kind of knowledge. Good work !
I figured it was time to comment on one of your blog posts, as it seems we have very similar opinions (; I enjoyed reading this! You provided a lot of good insight. I thought it was interesting how you commented that the American Dream was influenced by recent economic struggles. I think that definitely could have a large part of it, as well as the trends in opinions (whether more conservative or liberal). Your post reminded me of the stories we're told when we're younger about glorious rich kings that have it all but still aren't happy because they don't have people to love, etc. I thought there was a more specific example I was thinking of, but I lost it while my page was refreshing. Overall, great post and I expect you to have 2.5 kids
ReplyDeleteGREAT and very thorough post- I enjoyed reading it!
ReplyDelete