The American Dream. It used to be something that everyone in North America used to strive for. It used to be something that we used to think we had to strive for. Today, I believe it has a very different meaning, and people are starting to realize that it is losing importance.
Historically, as a whole, the “American Dream” has been portrayed through 5 components. The belief that other nations should replicate America’s development, faith in a free market economy, support for free-trade agreements, promotion of the free flow of information and culture, and the acceptance of government protection of private enterprises. But the reality is, this is not what most people think of as the modern “American Dream”. In simple terms, the idea is to be successful in school, get into a good university, have a successful high paying job, marry, buy a house, start a family, and retire. It has been portrayed as the baseline of what American’s think their lives should follow. It is supposed to be something to strive for. And those who don’t meet it, are regarded as failures. Either in their own perception or through the systematic exclusion within their social groups for differing from this so-called “norm”.
I disagree strongly with this idea. I believe that America is based on the freedom to do what you want to do with your life, yet that is often forgotten. Nobody should feel bound to a set idealistic value of what your life should be. We should be encouraged to explore, to venture outside of the box, and to find something that gives our lives meaning.