The American Dream: National Ethos, Significance, and Immigrant Belief in Upward Mobility
Overview
This essay examines the American Dream as a national ethos emphasizing upward mobility, hard work, and success regardless of origin or class. The paper argues that the American Dream remains significant in contemporary society, evidenced by high immigrant belief in its achievability and its role as a motivational ideology for overcoming social, political, and economic barriers.
What this essay covers
- Definition and concept of the American Dream as a foundational national ideology
- Why the American Dream matters: its role in promoting hard work and eradicating poverty
- Evidence of continued belief in the American Dream among immigrants and the general population
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American Dream
The American dream is a national ethos of the United States that all individuals in America, regardless of their origin, class, or ethnicity, can attain their version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American dream is achieved through taking risks, sacrifice, and hard work and not through chance (Wolak and Peterson 968). An individual must work towards fulfilling their success and happiness to attain the American dream.
Notably, the American dream appears in various forms of media, such as political speeches. Politicians encourage citizens and anyone willing to relocate to the United States that the American Dream is attainable. For instance, Barrack Obama, the first black American to become president in the United States, has a motivating slogan of "Yes we can" that offered a believable and fresh perspective that people can achieve success (“Yes we can” 3:17-3:30). The success portrayed the significance of the American dream.
Why Does the American Dream Matter?
The American Dream concept is that the United States is the land of opportunity, and everyone can achieve success and happiness through hard work. The American dream becomes appealing because some people have overcome social, political, and economic barriers to become successful (Wolak and Peterson 969). As a result, the ideology of the American dream promotes hard work among the United States citizens.
The philosophy of the American dream is essential in eradicating poverty among its citizens.