...Savard English 101 1 April 2015 The American Dream In 1931, James Truslow Adams published a book titled "The Epic of America". He states that the American dream is a "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." Throughout the years since publication, the American dream was something many families were able to achieve, that is until, perhaps, starting around 2008 when the "Great Recession" hit. Many Americans lost their jobs due to the country's fourth-largest investment bank going bankrupt. There was a job shortage, many Americans were laid-off, income was falling, and poverty was rising. Seven years have passed and slowly America has been recovering, but has it recovered enough for the American dream to be alive? For the average American the dream is perhaps a owning a house, car, children, a stay at home parent, medical insurance, vacations, and savings for retirement along with savings for college tuition. In today's society, the American dream is unobtainable because a stay at home parent is rare, bills are a struggle to pay for, vacations are rarely taken, most are not able to save for retirement because of debt, and many college students have to work while in school to pay off their college tuition. The American dream is in fact alive, but out of reach for the average American. In the article "7 facts that show the American Dream is Dead", Eskow states, "There was a...
Words: 1533 - Pages: 7
...Inequality caused by student debts: The crushing American Dream Xin (Taylor) Kang Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Author Note Xin (Taylor) Kang, Gold Group, MS in Finance program. This paper was prepared for Business and Academic Research and Writing course of Summer Intensive Program, taught by Professor Kevin Lanagan. Inequality caused by student debts: The crushing American Dream Proud of their nation, Americans always consider the United States a land of opportunity, where the American dream that everyone can achieve prosperity and success through hard work in a society with few barriers is world-famous. Though higher education is a sign of success in the U.S., the American dream is crushing. Student debts are getting more burdensome because the university tuition is expensive and bankers always lend high interest loans to students. During the last seven years, student debts for graduation have increased about 40 percent. Over 15 percent of the students cannot repay their debts, which may eventually cause a worse consequence. Definitely, it will lead to inequality among those who can afford to attend universities and those who cannot. In recent years, student debts have become serious problems. Stiglize (2012) pointed out that “in 2012, according to the Federal Reserve and the Department of Education, nearly 13 percent of student-loan borrowers owe over $50,000, and about 4 percent owe more than $100,000” (“Student Debt,” para. 6). ...
Words: 981 - Pages: 4
...American Dream No Longer Reality? The United States is in really poor shape with the recession. In Bob Herbert’s article “Hiding from Reality,” he points out that unless the United States makes some drastic changes, the American Dream will fade away due to the increasing difficulties people will have in trying to reach it. The main problems include struggling to find a job after college, struggling to buy a home and car and paying for them, and overall issues with recession in the United States. Getting a degree and a college education is a great thing, but what use is it if people cannot find jobs? According to Herbert, there is not much of the American dream left (564). The economy is in terrible shape; the education in public schools is not as good as it should be, there are budget deficits and overseas warfare. This all show the horrible and sad shape that our country is in. The problem is, according to Herbert, that we as Americans are in denial about the extent of the rot in our system (564). We are in such bad shape that it can take a decade or more for employment to rise back to a level where one can say that the economy is good. This is due to the slow progress we are making in trying to improve the economy. Workers born in foreign countries gained 656,000 jobs while workers born in the US lost 1.2 million jobs in 2009 (Herbert 564). However, the immigrant workers experienced much less pay than Americans would have received. This shows that many places will hire immigrants...
Words: 1470 - Pages: 6
...Assessment Title: | The American Experience: SAT Style Argument Essay | Task: | Suggested Engagement Scenario: In order to be well-prepared for the SAT that you will take this year, it is important to practice the essay component of the exam. That is what you will do today.Part 1: Compose a 25- minute timed SAT style argument essay. Use the rubric to guide your response to this prompt: Is the American Dream possible for all people? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your position on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.Part 2: Review anchor papers with rubric, then determine your own score. (This does not replace teacher evaluation)Part 3: (optional follow-up) Compose a diary entry focused on the American Dream from the perspective of a Colonial Era immigrant. (W.# Narrative Task) | Standards: | RI.11.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information in order to address a question or solve a problem.W.11.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.L.11.3: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. | Materials: | Teacher Materials: * Teacher directions * Rubric | Student Materials: * SAT Style Essay prompt sheet ...
Words: 2298 - Pages: 10
...College and the American Dream Jenny Golightly Western Governors University College and the American Dream The term “American Dream” was first introduced by James Truslow Adams in his book “The Epic America”. He felt “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (American Dream, 2014). For decades, people have lived by the promise that a strong work ethic, dedication, and honesty can lead to a better life. Unfortunately, today, many Americans find this is not the case. No longer does hard work guarantee that one can provide a comfortable lifestyle for their families, save for retirement, or afford to send their children to college. The dream of being able to send their children to college is fading for many Americans and is an example of societal inequality described in the conflict theory. Conflict theory does not view society as a system but as social groups experiencing unequal power, money, and unequal life chances. This leads to struggles and oppression for the lower classes while the upper class continues to prosper. According to Phil Oliff, a policy analyst with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “Higher education attainment is growing increasingly important. Getting a college degree is increasingly a prerequisite for success in the workforce and entry in the middle class” (Sherter, 2013). Statistics have shown that the level of education correlates with the level of earning...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...towards the US. For three months he was a stow away with the help of some of his friends who was heading to america as well. One morning we looked out the window to see a massive statue, and the land of the american dream. He was my great great grandfather. The american dream was alive and well through the life of the United States, but about 15 years ago it came to a screeching halt. College has become so important that you can't get a well paying job to climb the social ladder. America is the place where you can come, start a business, and achieve your american dream, supposedly. How can one achieve their american dream when eight out of ten businesses fail. But what pulled the plug on the already...
Words: 664 - Pages: 3
...Realistically The Perfect Life In America According to The Times, “only 33% of Americans surveyed said they were happy. In 2016, just 31% of Americans reported the same” (Sifferlin). One big aspect of the American Dream is happiness, and yet so many Americans are unhappy. Happiness can correlate with the other parts of the American Dream on whether or not the dream is achievable. Since a large percentage of Americans are unhappy, the American Dream must not be attainable. The American Dream of education, class, and happiness is not attainable. The American Dream of getting an affordable college education is not attainable. For some students it is difficult to pay for college. According to The Washington Post, “For students, tuition is only...
Words: 1070 - Pages: 5
...United States is where the guaranteed human rights and I wondered the affects of Dream Act in this country. Dream Act is a contraction of Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, provides to certain illegal students can be qualified for normal U.S citizen(Wikipedia, 2012,1 paragraph). The Dream Act had been big issue in U.S and I will focus on why the Dream Act would be good effect on U.S supported by 2 parts; economy and human resources. The Dream Act suggests to a variety of human rights issues, including the right to be free from discrimination. Even if Dream Act passed, it would just be another step in a long process. The Dream act is still much to be resolved but The Dream Act will brings the American dream for thousands of young people each year. United States can improve if they offer opportunity to undocumented students. In this writing, reader can learn that several reasons for Dream Act will good impact on United States. First of all, the Dream Act has economy benefits to United States. Under the Dream Act, it would give chance to illegal students to get better jobs. It means U.S government takes tax from them. According to UCLA North American Integration and Development Center that the total outcome of Dream Act profit from the working lives will be between $1.4 trillion and $3.6 trillion. In report from Arizona State University in 2008, that students who graduate university earns much more than who have only a high-school diploma, it approximately...
Words: 1347 - Pages: 6
...The American Dream* (*Adjustment Required) The American Dream is a constantly evolving and developing concept that adapts to the current social and economic conditions of a time period. In “Millennials’ Ball-and-Chain: Student Loan Debt” author Malcolm Hadley describes the difficulties young Americans facein this day and age because of the cost of education and how it’s affecting their outlooks on life and their goals. In his article, Hadley iterates what is holding this generation back:the “tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt” (Hadley); As a result, they cannot afford to have what is commonly associated with being an independent adult. Many millennials find themselves dreaming of living independently, marrying, or being able to buy an apartment. The author continued to expand his argument by delving further into the lives of millennials who do choose to start families and lead traditional lives and how their student loans continue to burden them; often couples both have debt and are reluctant to go into that next phase of their lives while so indebted. Essentially, what Hadley argues is that being chained to their student debt is making young Americans strive for more simplicity than the traditional...
Words: 770 - Pages: 4
...Is College For Everyone? Daverick Aguilar RES/351 July 14, 2014 Is College For Everyone? Introduction I understand this is a business research paper, but I’d like to write about things that, I believe, are questions that make me think or topics that I feel passionate about. With that being said, I am writing about the true importance of college degrees. The businesses involve college or the education system. What is the American Dream? Originally, the American Dream is every individuals’ right to pursue happiness and a better life for themselves and their future generations. Today, that achievement is still alive however it now has a new definition. For the most part, the American Dream today is defined through tangible, material things. My personal belief still lies with the original, but since I have expensive taste it does involve material things. Now my question is how do I achieve this so-called American Dream? I understand that education is important and that along with education comes with a comfortable salary, but I believe in the possibility to achieve my ambitious desires through various forms that don’t involve a college degree. In this research, I delve into the importance of college degrees in today’s society along with considerations of oppositions. Article 1 – Why Go To College? State the purpose of the business research The purpose of this business research article discusses the achievement of the American Dream through the acquisition of a college...
Words: 790 - Pages: 4
...Park Avenue Money, Power and the American Dream Introduction and Summary Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream is a documentary about how the American Dream is disappearing across the country. When the Great Recession of 2008 hit, many of the people living across Park Avenue lost their jobs and income (Park Avenue, 2012). People living in the South Bronx depended on food stamps to survive during the bad economy (Park Avenue, 2012). They faced failing school systems and many African Americans failed to graduate from high school (Park Avenue, 2012). America needed to fix the problem by electing a democratic congress to solve the problem with unemployment and increase the graduation rate. Gap between the Poor and Rich. I was surprised that the gap between the poor and the rich has been getting wider in the last thirty years. I...
Words: 569 - Pages: 3
...The Crash of the American Dream When most people think of the American Dream the first thing that comes to mind is the house with the white picket fence, the 2.5 children, a nice reliable minivan or SUV, and the dog or cat. The American Dream is really not what it used to be, and it is getting harder and harder to obtain. With the effects of the economic crisis still shaping our everyday lifestyle, there is still little to no relief. We are still dealing with no jobs, and the ones you do get don’t pay nearly enough. The price to go back to school to try to improve your work situation has become more and more expensive, and to top it off you can barely get any kind of loans because you don’t make enough. It has become this vicious circle that...
Words: 1600 - Pages: 7
...The American Nightmare As a child I was told that I could do anything I wanted if I just set my mind on it. As I become older I am slowly beginning to realize that this is not true. In today’s society, determination alone will not bring you success. In fact, the only thing that will set you on the right direction is an expensive piece of paper that only increases in price as time goes on. “More than half of bachelor degree recipients at four-year for profit institutions carried education debt of $30,500 or more during the 2007-2008 academic year, compared with 24 percent of those at private four-year institutions and 12 percent at public four-year schools” (Clemmit). A college education is meant to prepare people for a desired career where they can hope to attain the American Dream but unless you come from a wealthy family, paying for this education could take the rest of your life. With constant budget cuts in education, universities are forced to increase tuition prices dramatically which results in students graduating with large amounts of debt and no guarantee of a job to pay it off. Raising tuition prices is unfair to the students hoping to accomplish their dreams and live life the way they choose. Universities are taking advantage of people coming out of high school willing to do whatever it takes to prepare themselves for the career they desire. Something should be done to stop these schools from raising prices so high that taking a loan out is a common practice to...
Words: 1501 - Pages: 7
...College Tuition Cost On The Rise You may try to take away my pride, you may try to take away my dignity, you may try to take away my beauty, and you may attempt to take away my existence in this world, but you could never take away my knowledge. In today society, having a higher education degree offers you many opportunities such as getting a dream job, but also earning a higher education can either be the American dream or a college student and their families’ worst nightmare. It is not a simple task to wake up one morning and decide to go to college without any savings. In America, most parents are starting a college fund for their children way before that child even barely knows who they are, and some parents are taking out a loan in order to help their children achieve the American dream. Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, spread out among about 44 million borrowers (Berman). In fact, the average Class of 2016 graduate has $37,172 in student loan debt, up six...
Words: 255 - Pages: 2
...is known to be a place where one can strive to become or undertake whatever dream one may have, although it may become difficult depending on one’s economic status. The United States does offer welfare such as, social security, food stamps, medicaid, and others. However, if one were to compare the U.S. with Denmark, a famous welfare state, the two don’t measure up. Although the United States does offer welfare subsides, it does restrict lower income citizens from obtaining...
Words: 996 - Pages: 4
