american dream education essay

A good education is important to achieving the American Dream

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Aei-brookings working group on poverty and opportunity awgopao aei-brookings working group on poverty and opportunity.

December 3, 2015

For much of the 20 th century, a cornerstone of the American Dream has been the belief that, with hard work, all adults should be able to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

But over the last several decades, it has become clear that achieving the American Dream now takes both hard work and good education—good enough to command a job that pays a non-poverty wage.

The education level of adult heads of households has been increasingly associated with their income as the income gap between the well-educated and the less-educated has grown steadily over the last four decades.

In Chapter 5 of a new report from the AEI-Brookings Working Group on Poverty and Opportunity , the Working Group recommends policies that:

• Increase public investment in two underfunded stages of education: preschool and postsecondary;
• Educate the whole child to promote social-emotional as well as academic skills;
• Modernize the organization and accountability of the educational system; and
• Close resource gaps to reduce education gaps.

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The American Dream: Successes and Doubts

Readers respond to an essay by Tara Westover, the author of “Educated,” about college education and the American dream.

To the Editor:

Re “ I Am Not Proof of the American Dream, ” by Tara Westover (Opinion guest essay, Sunday Review, Feb. 6):

I grew up poor in New York City and had experiences similar to Ms. Westover’s.

The American dream is unobtainable today for the vast majority of poor students, particularly because of the outrageous cost of obtaining a college, let alone a graduate school, education. This is an American tragedy, a threat to our democracy, yet is a problem that is solvable if as a nation we put our minds to it.

Student debt needs to be eliminated. We as a nation need to rein in the explosion in the costs of higher education, and we need to make it affordable through government subsidy, an expansion of Pell grants or other means not yet identified.

Our democracy is still an experiment that requires constant nurturing by an educated and informed populace. Education has always been, and shall continue to be, a pillar of a successful democracy. That fact ought to be a guiding light in bringing together our otherwise polarized nation because we all shall “win” or “lose” based on whether we successfully address this challenge.

Barry S. Sziklay West Orange, N.J.

Through her own tenacity, grit and will, Tara Westover, using a modest government grant to help pay basic expenses and tuition subsidized by the Mormon Church, transformed herself from an unsophisticated, impoverished young girl into a highly skilled, successful and well-educated professional.

But she has become disillusioned with the American dream she personified, and paints a depressingly bleak and disheartening picture of the prospects for a new generation of equally determined young strivers.

Ms. Westover vividly describes how she struggled to achieve her goals. She writes: “But it was possible. Without family money, without cultural advantages, it was a thing that could be done, if only just, if you really wanted it.”

That’s a pretty good definition of the American dream, and it remains a reality for many thousands of motivated offspring of working-class Americans as well as immigrants who came here with next to nothing, and who are equally plucky and determined as the younger Ms. Westover.

The inflated costs (of tuition, housing, etc.) that Ms. Westover justifiably laments may indeed seem impossibly imposing. But lesser costs once seemed so to her. Why underestimate today’s dreamers? They are out there, undeterred.

By all means, let us pursue Ms. Westover’s suggestions: restore funding, reduce inefficiencies and inequalities. But let us promote the hopeful example of her earlier experience rather than the discouraging despair of her current view of the American dream.

Alan M. Schwartz Teaneck, N.J.

Tara Westover’s essay notes that her life was transformed by the financial stability provided by a Pell grant she received as a college sophomore.

Ms. Westover applied for that grant because a church leader insisted she do so. It was this person’s intervention, as much as the grant itself, that allowed Ms. Westover to shift her focus from keeping a roof over her head to her academic work. She succeeded because she gained access to both personal and financial resources that enabled her to fully participate in her studies.

Most of us have benefited from a timely offer of help, encouragement or information. The networks that provide such support, at least as much as the resources they mobilize, enable people to succeed. None of us can make it alone.

Ms. Westover’s experiences show how important it is that each of us embrace our opportunities to extend a helping hand.

Deborah Beck Austin, Texas The writer is an associate professor of classics at the University of Texas at Austin.

Tara Westover’s essay resonated deeply with me. I feel like a fraud because people tell me I should be proud of my success, but none of it would have been possible if not for financial aid from the State of Texas and scholarships from private donors that allowed me to have a slightly more normal college experience than the typical kid putting herself through college. I can’t imagine putting time toward extracurriculars or taking only one job during college if not for that.

Even with all that help, I still had to take on student loans, and if not for my major and career choice, I wouldn’t have been able to pay them off so soon. I definitely wouldn’t recommend that most people make the choices I made.

My story, like the author’s, proves what’s so nefarious about the American dream: We’re conditioned to think that if we ask for help we’re a drain on society, thus shaming us into silence and avoiding an honest conversation on the role of government in this crisis.

Dhananjay Khanna Seattle

The underlying message in Tara Westover’s fine piece is really about the failures of our financial aid system.

Students are perplexed about how much funding is available. Ms. Westover didn’t know she was eligible for a Pell grant until her sophomore year. Even if she had, though, financial aid can still be inadequate today.

If we are going to provide economic opportunity to all students who manage the inequities of the K-12 education system and are college-ready, the financial aid system needs to be more transparent so that students know what college will really cost them. And it needs to provide sufficient aid so that lower-income students don’t need to work multiple jobs, go into excessive debt, and survive on ramen noodles. Our current system fails on both scores.

Phillip B. Levine Wellesley, Mass. The writer is a professor of economics at Wellesley College and the author of the forthcoming book “A Problem of Fit: How the Complexity of College Pricing Hurts Students — and Universities.”

Education and the American Dream

A Harvard-Radcliffe couple is inspired by family values to endow the Jeffrey S. and Margaret Mais Padnos Fellowship Fund.

Gladys and Reynold Mais were immigrants from Jamaica who saved diligently for the education of their only child, Margaret (known as Peg), sharing their values along with their diverse and multiethnic culture. Even after Reynold passed away in 1962, when Peg was 13, her mother held onto their shared goal of a college education for their only child, purchasing tuition insurance to ensure her daughter could attend college—specifically Radcliffe, which a friend’s daughter had attended.

“The happiest day of my mother's life was when that fat envelope came,” recalls Peg Mais Padnos ’70, who graduated magna cum laude from Radcliffe College with a bachelor’s degree in East Asian studies. She also met a classmate, Jeffrey (Jeff) S. Padnos ’70, whom she would later marry. Following a nursing career, during which Peg cared for sick infants and premature newborns in neonatal intensive care, she turned toward writing, earning a master’s in English and creative writing/poetry through an online course at Southern New Hampshire University in 2015.

For Peg and Jeff, honoring Gladys and Reynold’s diligence and esteem for education meant reaching out to Radcliffe. With their $1.3 million contribution, given on the occasion of their 50th Reunion and matched with $667,000 from the Radcliffee Institute to create a $2 million endowment, this Michigan couple are focusing their philanthropy on education, establishing the Jeffrey S. and Margaret Mais Padnos Fellowship Fund at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

“Peg and Jeff’s gift will support transformative experiences for our fellows, who strive to expand human understanding and improve our world,” says Dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin. “A former fellow myself, I know how important Radcliffe’s interdisciplinary fellowship community can be to a scholar’s work and career. On behalf of the many fellows who will benefit from Peg and Jeff’s generosity in the years to come, I express my deepest gratitude for their commitment to the power of education.”

The fellowship recognizes the centrality of education to the American dream. “This is also a way to honor my grandparents,” says Peg, who has memorialized members of her family in her verse. “My grandmother in particular loved reading and writing, doing crosswords, and quoting Shakespeare and the Bible,” she recalls. “I think she wanted to be a teacher. She would have loved to go to college.”

Jeff’s family business, Louis Padnos Iron and Metal Company, was founded by his grandfather, a Russian immigrant who instilled in his children the belief that education was the path to a better life. All four of the Padnos’s children—Benjamin Louis, Rebecca Helen, Samuel DePasse, and Joshua Cyril—now have degrees from institutions around the country. However, when the couple considered the impact their generosity could have, they realized that Radcliffe was the obvious beneficiary.

“Radcliffe is very much in my heart,” says Peg, who also serves as her class secretary. “I loved being a ’Cliffie.”

"I loved being a 'Cliffie," says Peg Padnos. Photo by Hannah Ziegeler

Jeff also notes how the gift to Radcliffe, with its interdisciplinary mission, will have an impact across fields and support a range of fellows. “It will be meaningful,” he says. “And who knows what multiplying effects that will have.”

As Jeff explains, the couple hopes their donation will spur a ripple effect, encouraging others and increasing in influence. Acknowledging a “bias toward teaching,” with its positive ramifications, they are overjoyed that the inaugural recipient, Oliver Hart, will be working on a project that has the potential for an even wider cultural impact.

Hart, the Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor at Harvard University, has taught at Harvard since 1993. In addition, Hart is the 2016 corecipient of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, and his research centers on ownership structure and contracts. His project in the fellowship’s inaugural year will continue his ongoing work on the social responsibility of business, studying the effectiveness of such tools as divestments and boycotts for influencing corporate behavior.

Such social consciousness has been close to the Padnoses’ hearts from the start, and Peg—the former nurse—deems Hart’s cause “very fitting.” Jeff, who came of age during the Vietnam War era, recalls his undergraduate thesis on a related topic: enlisting free enterprise in social topics.

This inaugural project also meshes with the Padnos family business. Although Padnos Metal may have started as “a junkyard,” as Jeff puts it, it has evolved into scrap recycling. Now, with two of their sons poised to take the firm into the future with a fourth generation of family ownership, the business has a goal of “sensible sustainability.”

“We aspire to be a living example of how the free enterprise system can work for all participants, meaning our customers, our employees, our communities, and, of course, our shareholders as well,” says Jeff. “We’re huge believers in the system, but the system needs help sometimes,” he says. With their generosity, Jeff and Peg Padnos are doing just that.

Jeff Padnos's family business may have started as “a junkyard,” but it has evolved into scrap recycling, with a goal of “sensible sustainability.” Photo by Hannah Ziegeler

Clea Simon is a novelist and freelance writer in Cambridge .

The Institute relies on the generosity of the Radcliffe community to fund our work. Thank you for considering  a gift  in support of the Institute’s mission.

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American Dream Essay: Structure, Outline, Sample, and Topics

11 December 2023

last updated

The American Dream is a recurring controversial topic in modern society. Individuals have developed different arguments to deconstruct what is the American Dream essay in the context of day-to-day life. In the academic setting, learners that engage in this discourse hold the weight of the proper expression of their arguments. A structured essay is analyzed with a focus on the introduction, main body, and conclusion of the five-paragraph essay. The process of topic selection, outline development, and structured writing is exemplified using an essay titled, “The Promise of the American Dream.” Recommendations for narrow scoped topics for exploring the concept are provided as a starting point for students.

In contemporary discourse, there is much controversy over the meaning of the American Dream. Basically, people hold different positions on multiple aspects of the concept in their essays and research papers. During the schooling years, it is important to acquire knowledge. Also, young minds benefit significantly from reflecting on the influence of their recently acquired knowledge on their position regarding controversial topics. Upon completing the reflection essay process, the expression of one’s newly defined position is the next step. An essay on the American Dream is presented to introduce the readers to the basic principles behind the concept. Moreover, the structure of a five-paragraph essay is explored with the support of an outline and a sample essay.

What Is the American Dream Essay?

1. general description.

The American Dream is a widely known concept, but there is no definition that can be identified as a correct, comprehensive, and precise. Basically, freedom and opportunity are the most critical aspects of the essay on the American Dream. In this case, freedoms are essential to the idea of achieving goals. It because these freedoms provide an individual with the space to live freely without any oppression from their peers or the government. Moreover, equal access to opportunity allows each individual to pursue happiness and prosperity regardless of the social class, gender, race, and other social or cultural factors that stratify society. Therefore, this concept may be defined as a set of beliefs that explain the experience of life that many people are expected to have in an ideal situation, where their freedoms are protected, and no opportunity barriers exist.

2. Unique Experiences

People are born into families that provide them with a unique starting point for their pursuit of desired goals. For example, the financial capability, level of education, and cultural beliefs of an individual’s parents define the foundation on which a person begins to achieve desired goals. As a result, all people may be pursuing the same ideas when writing essays. In turn, it is not a level playing field because some individuals may find themselves in better circumstances than others. Furthermore, it is differentiated at a personal level because individuals with relatively similar starting points may have distinct outcomes. Based on this perspective, it is highly unlikely that any two individuals can attest to going through identical experiences when writing an essay.

3. Belief Systems

Besides the circumstances of the starting points, an individual’s belief system plays a significant role in their strategy of achieving desired goals. For instance, happiness and prosperity are broad terms that have contrasting meanings for individuals because there is no standardized scale for measuring happiness or prosperity. Moreover, one person may consider owning a car and house to be a sign of prosperity. In contrast, another person may believe that providing his or her children with a college education to be prosperity. Hence, these beliefs are imposed on desires goals, which results in variations in the meaning of the concept for each individual to be covered in an essay. In turn, desires goals affected to a large extent by an individual’s beliefs regarding the things that make them happy or prosperous.

Topic Selection for American Dream Essays

1. challenges of topic selection.

The American Dream is a concept that people can examine from a variety of perspectives, which makes the selection of an essay topic for an American Dream paper quite challenging. During the selection of an essay topic, it is essential to remember that no point of view is more superior or correct than another. In this case, the weight of the claim proposed in the American Dream argumentative essay is dependent on the writer’s ability to explain a position logically and convincingly. Moreover, in the presentation of the argument in the essay, it is important to adequately consider competing counterarguments that may arise in the audience’s minds when writing essays. In turn, the failure to evaluate counterarguments critically may undercut the authority of the author, especially when writing for an academic audience.

2. Solution

Equally important, writers should select a topic that has a link with their personal experiences. For instance, an argument concerning the essay about the American Dream gains a sense of authenticity when writers discuss an issue that resonates with their beliefs. It is essential because some passion is embedded in the essay. In this case, as a starting point for identifying the essay topic, writers may identify a “main concept” under review, for example, equal opportunity. Based on the main concept, writers can think through their life experiences and single out events that they consider invaluable in the position taken concerning the main concept (see the example of a simple brainstorming template). Finally, writers should settle on the essay topic that is specific and can be argued out entirely within the constraints of the essay requirements.

3. Example of a Simple Brainstorming Template

• State the main concept.
• How has it affected you?
• How has it affected other people in your life?
• Do you think the events mentioned above are in line with the American Dream?
• Specify the issue.
• Describe the ideal situation.
• Can the situation be improved?

American Dream Essay Outline

Introduction (approximately 10% of the word count).

• It is the first statement in the introductory paragraph.
• The statement should capture the attention of the reader, for example, a unique fact about the topic.

2. Overview of the Topic

• It comprises of two or more sentences.
• The statements should contain adequate detail for the reader to understand the thesis statement.

3. Thesis Statement

• It is a single statement that appears at the end of the introductory paragraph.
• The statement provides an answer to the essay prompt in the form of a single argument, which summarises the main evidence or rationale presented in the main body.

Main Body (Approximately 80% of the Word Count)

The creation of paragraphs in this section is based on the separation of ideas to ensure that each paragraph presents one original idea. In this case, each paragraph in this section must follow the sandwich rule, which dictates the organization of paragraph elements:

• Topic sentence – States the main idea for that paragraph.
• Evidence – Provides the information that is crucial to the paragraph’s idea.
• Evaluation of evidence – Explains the relevance of the evidence and offers an interpretation of the evidence.
• Transition statement – Summarises the paragraph and links it to the thesis statement or the next paragraph.

Conclusion (Approximately 10% of the Word Count)

1. Restating the Main Argument

• The first statement in the paragraph should repeat the main argument presented in the thesis statement.
• It should not contain the same words as the thesis statement, but keywords can be reused.
• Provide a detailed overview of the main points of the essay logically.
• Demonstrate the value of the main points in answering the essay prompt.

Five-Paragraph American Dream Essay Outline Sample

Introduction/Paragraph 1

Hook: Besides the differences in the American populations, they are similar because they pursue the same dream.

Overview of the topic: Outline some of the differences in the American population.

Thesis statement: Creating equal opportunities allows individuals to achieve upward mobility.

Paragraph 2 :

Topic sentence: Breaking down social mobility and its quantification.

Evidence: Definition and measures of social mobility.

Evaluation of evidence: Illustrate how upward social mobility is achieved while referring to the measures.

Transition statement: Introduces the need for self-improvement for social mobility to occur.

Paragraph 3 :

Topic sentence: Opportunity is a requirement for social mobility.

Evidence: The role of education in equipping an individual to utilize opportunities.

Evaluation of evidence: Demonstrate the link between education, access to jobs, and the ability to improve an individual’s quality of life.

Transition statement: Recognise that there are socially constructed limitations on the accessibility of opportunities.

Paragraph 4 :

Topic sentence: Discriminative practices affect an individual’s access to opportunities for social mobility.

Evidence: Identify some forms of discrimination and explain the occurrence of discriminative practices.

Evaluation of evidence: Describe the value of government and organization’s role in managing discriminative practices using policies that uphold equality.

Transition statement: Stress the centrality of equality in the argument for opportunity access and upward mobility.

Conclusion/Paragraph 5 :

Restating the main argument: Emphasise the importance of equality in securing opportunities for upward mobility and the attainment of the American Dream.

Summary: Allude to the measures of social mobility, the interaction between discriminative practices and opportunities, and the relief provided by policies on equality.

Sample of Five-Paragraph American Dream Essay

Topic: The Promise of the American Dream

Introduction

Although we are different, we share a single dream. In this case, the American population is composed of people of different genders, races, education levels, religions, and disability statuses. Nonetheless, each American is entitled to the opportunity to make themselves better regardless of the underlying differences. Thus, the American Dream thesis statement is that it is founded on the promise of equal opportunity for upward social mobility.

Social Mobility

Social mobility is a multidimensional concept. It can be assessed using a variety of measures that attempt to quantify the change occurring in an individual’s life. For example, the ability of an individual to move along the social hierarchy may be described as social mobility. In turn, there are different measures of social mobility. However, each one is focused on a specific aspect of average Americans’ livelihood:

• health status – the susceptibility of an individual to diseases,
• education – an individual’s highest level of education,
• homeownership – the capability of an individual to acquire permanent housing.

Upward social mobility implies that an individual can improve their position in the social hierarchy through improving their performance on any of the measures of social mobility. Therefore, upward social mobility is the desired outcome of a successful pursuit of desired goals because it suggests some form of self-improvement.

Opportunity

The opportunity for upward mobility is vital in pursuing the desired goals. Basically, access to opportunity is facilitated by some factors, for example, access to quality education. In this case, an individual that has attended school and acquired the necessary skills has a higher likelihood of securing a job. If individuals acquire jobs, it becomes easier to secure health insurance, buy homes, and improve the quality of life for their families. Moreover, individuals can only attain what they want if they are provided access to basic education, which prepares them to maximize any opportunities. However, it is difficult for an average individual to pursue opportunities without the government’s efforts to increase the ease of access to basic needs.

Equality Policies

Many barriers affect an average American’s ability to access positive opportunities, and it manifests in the form of discriminative practices in society. In this case, discrimination in society may occur based on a variety of issues, for example, gender, disability, religion, and race. Basically, personal biases create ideological differences regarding superiority in the social hierarchy. It pushes individuals to deny others access to opportunities and the necessary skills to exploit those opportunities. Moreover, state and organizational policies against discrimination are created and enforced to maintain equality among Americans. These laws serve to eliminate the barriers that exist between hardworking people and the American Dream. Consequently, equality among individuals ensures that all individuals can take advantage of opportunities regardless of their gender, disability status, religion, race, and other social differences that tend to create boundaries between social groups.

Equality is crucial in the pursuit of the American Dream because it provides each individual with the opportunity to move up the social hierarchy. In this case, people can access upward social mobility by using various measures, which quantify an individual’s quality of life. Moreover, opportunities may exist, but individuals need to be assisted in developing themselves to a level where they can utilize the available opportunities. Hence, equality policies are useful in curtailing the power of discriminative practices in reinforcing social mobility barriers.

American Dream Essay Topics

• The origin of the American Dream.
• Intergenerational differences in the definition of the American Dream.
• The American Dream in contemporary music.
• Does society still believe in the American Dream?
• Defining the American Dream through the racial lens.
• Individualism and the American Dream.
• The influence of unrestricted surveillance on the American Dream.
• Health care policies and the American Dream.
• The impacts of globalization on the American Dream.
• The rise of right-wing populism and the future of the American Dream.

Summing up on the American Dream Essay

The capacity of a person to participate in the discourse on the controversial essay topic nurtured through the continuous practice of structured essay writing. Basically, the concept may be approached from a different perspective, depending on the individual’s beliefs and personal experiences. Nonetheless, the written presentation of these points of view is achieved through the use of structured essays. The five-paragraph American Dream essay examined in this paper is a useful tool for the expression of any argument on the topic.

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

Essay example of the great gatsby book review, how to write a well-developed poem analysis essay.

103 American Dream Essay Topics & Examples

If you’re in need of American dream topics for an essay, research paper, or discussion, this article is for you. Our experts have prepared some ideas and writing tips that you will find below.

📃 10 Tips for Writing American Dream Essays

🏆 best american dream essay topics & essay examples, 👍 catchy american dream topics, ❓ american dream research questions.

The American dream is an interesting topic that one can discuss from various perspectives. If you need to write an essay on the American dream, you should understand this concept clearly.

You can choose to present the American dream as a miracle that one cannot reach or depict a free and wealthy nation. In any case, the American dream essay is a good opportunity to reflect on the concept and learn more about it.

There are many topics you can choose from while writing your essay. Here are some examples of the American dream essay topics we can suggest:

• The true meaning of the American dream
• The image of the American dream in the Great Gatsby
• Is the American dream still relevant in today’s society?
• The role of the American dream: Discussion
• Americans’ beliefs and values: The American dream
• Can we achieve the American dream?
• The American dream in today’s world and society

Remember that you do not have to select one of the American dream essay titles and can come up with your own one. Once you have selected the topic, start working on your essay. Here are ten useful tips that will help you to write an outstanding paper:

• Start working on your essay ahead of time. You will need some time to study the issue, write the paper, and correct possible errors.
• Do preliminary research on the issue you want to discuss. The more information you know about the question, the better. We advise you to rely on credible sources exclusively and avoid using Wikipedia or similar websites.
• Check out the American dream essay examples online if you are not sure that the selected problem is relevant. Avoid copying the information you will find and only use it as guidance.
• Write an outline for your essay. Think of how you can organize your paper and choose titles for each of the sections. Remember that you should include an introductory paragraph and a concluding section along with body paragraphs.
• Remember that you should present the American dream essay thesis clearly. You can put it in the last sentence of your introductory paragraph.
• Your essay should be engaging for the audience. Help your reader to know something new about the issue and include some interesting facts that may not know about. Avoid overly complex sentences and structures.
• Make your essay personal, if it is possible. Do not focus on your opinion solely but provide your perspectives on the issue or discuss your concern about it. You can talk about your experiences with the American dream, too.
• Provide statistical data if you can. For example, you can find the results of surveys about people’s perspectives on the American dream.
• The concluding paragraph is an important section of the paper. Present the thesis and all of your arguments once again and provide recommendations, if necessary. Remember that this paragraph should not include new information or in-text citations.
• Do not send your paper to your professor right away. Check it several times to make sure that there are no grammatical mistakes in it. If you have time, you can put the paper away for several days and revise it later with “fresh” eyes.

Feel free to find an essay sample in our collection and get some ideas for your outstanding paper!

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• The American Dream: Meaning and Myth Initially, the existence of this myth set a very high pace and performance for the American economy because it was the only way to achieve the desired level of prosperity.
• Reflection on the American Dream Concept The vision of the American Dream can be different for individuals, and people create their interpretations according to their specific experiences.
• Reaching the American Dream From Scratch For example, the experience of a person coming to the United States from Haiti is one of poverty, under-resourced communities, and a complete disillusion with the promise of a good life.
• The American Dream Based on “Re Jane” by Patricia Park The main difference is that Jane had a chance to live her dreams in New York than in Seoul. Nina is an example of Jane’s friends who want her to succeed and understand the flaws […]
• The American Dream in Boyle’s The Tortilla Curtain The personal experience of the characters can be explained by their varying life conditions and, hence, are linked to the notion of the American Dream, which can be achieved by everyone while the efforts differ.
• Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’, Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ and the American Dream “The America Dream’ is a longstanding common belief of the American population that in the United States, people are free to realize the full potential of their labor and their talents and every person in […]
• Color Adjustment: False Image of American Dream The documentary tells the story of white, well-dressed people advertising the American dream, completely ignoring that the U.S.is not only a country of the white race.
• The American Dream: Franklin’s and Douglass’s Perception The objective of this paper, therefore, is to discuss the topic of the American dream and how both Franklin and Douglass, each exemplify this dream.
• The American Dream and Success One of the most pertinent topics associated with the American Dream is taking the courage to act and seize the opportunity.
• The Concept of American Dream: Examples of Columbus and Bradstreet Bradstreet’s other dream was to be able to secure a position in the ‘New world’ and still be seen as a woman who cares for her family.
• Racial Wealth Gap and the American Dream The speaker evaluates the accumulative wealth of Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites in America and arrives to the conclusion that race plays a role in financial burdens that many people of color experience.
• American Dreams: The United States Since 1945 Although the major idea of the book is a critical one, the author’s intention does not concern analyzing approaches to the American social evolution in order to define the most adequate one.
• History of Achieving the American Dream James Truslow Adams who wrote the book “The Epic of America” defined the American dream as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity […]
• The American Dream in the 21st Century It is the labor of these people that allowed the country to afford to build its industry and set up a base for fulfilling the American Dream.
• Willy Loman and the American Dream As a result of his boasting, a great deal of what his family knows about Willy is based upon the image he feels he must portray of himself in order to bring himself in line […]
• The American Dream: Defining the Great Society For instance, the Medicare bill was for the elderly and the poor, human rights for the oppressed, and antipoverty laws that set a stage for growth in the society.
• American Literature and the American Dream The difference in how the dream is defined lies in how one sees the shape and color of the concoction, whether the texture is just right for the shape of the taste buds assessing the […]
• American Dream and Reality for Minorities The topic of our concern is the reality that is faced by women, blacks, and war veterans who are associated with the American army.
• Richard Rodriguez’s Opinion on Migration and the American Dream American seems to refer only to the citizen of the United States and does not include the rest of the people in the continent!
• American Dream Is Not a Myth The paper is based on the argument, a simplified definition of the American dream: the American dream can be defined as “the achievement of economic and social advancement through hard work and determination”.
• The Immigrant Experience and the Failure of the American Dream The fates of the heroes of the book amaze with their tragedy, and this is the story of slaves of wage labor.
• Tycoons and Their American Dream The American Dream as Rockefeller, Carnegie, Morgan, and others saw it and forged it to be seen by others contributed meaningfully to the values of the American people and the priorities of a nation.
• Theater Exam: American Dream and Family Legacy To start the discussion on the concept of American Dream, I would like to focus on Willy, the main character of the Death of a Salesman.
• Is the American Dream Still Alive? The topic of discussion in this setting would be the American dream and the factors associated with the quest. They would talk about the cost of living, the cost of education, and the fact that […]
• American Dream in Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” The play Death of a salesman is indeed an anatomy of the American dream especially because the plot of the story revolves around some of the basic material gains that individuals in the American society […]
• “American Dream” of English and Chinese Immigrants My family decided to move to the US from England because of the low wages in our town. My intentions were to explore the new opportunities of the West and to earn more money than […]
• The American Dream and Working Conditions In fact, it might be said that it is due to their efforts that the American Dream still exists as a piece of reality.
• Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream This is one of the drawbacks that should be taken into account by the viewers who want to get a better idea about the causes of the problems described in the movie.
• American Dream in Hansberry’s and Miller’s Tragedies Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” and Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” tell the stories about how people can perceive and be affected by the idea of the American Dream, how they choose wrong dreams […]
• Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream – Movie Analysis It can be taken as the national ethos of the citizens of the USA. The basis of the American society is broken and it is not united anymore.
• Music Talent Shows and the American Dream Talent search shows, like American Idol and The Voice, have suffered a lot of criticism for different reasons. Stanley says the main reason for this cynicism is the failure of such shows to focus on […]
• Michelle Obama’s Remarks on American Dream She added that the main goal was to secure the blessings of liberty and to bring about the fulfillment of the promise of equality.
• The American Dream’s Concept The American economy is also likely to improve as a result of realizing the American dream 2013 since most of the residents are likely to indulge in productive activities as stipulated in the American dream […]
• The Concept of Progress or the Pursuit of the American Dream The concept of progress or the pursuit of the American Dream since 1930s has been a matter of concern for many immigrants who believe that they can achieve much in the US than in their […]
• The Book American Dream by Jason DeParle From the name of the book, it is clear that the cardinal theme of the book is the American dream. This is contrary to the fact that she was pregnant and in a crack house.
• The Definition of the Great American Dream: Hearing Opportunity Knock Although the concept of the American Dream is very recognizable, its essence is very hard to nail down, since it incorporates a number of social, economical and financial principles; largely, the American Dream is the […]
• The American Dream Negative Sides and Benefits The United States is thought of as the land of opportunity and there are many people who want to live “The American Dream”.
• Role of Money in the American Dream’s Concept Many people lack the meaning of the American dream because they are always looking forward to find opportunity and fail to realize that the opportunity to succeed is always around them in the work they […]
• The Reality of American Dream The government encouraged the immigration of the population whose labor and skills were required in the United States. The housing in the urban was overcrowded with very unsanitary conditions, and some of the immigrants did […]
• Social Status Anxiety and the American Dream The pain of a loss and the status anxiety that came with being inferior to other students at Harvard instigated the urge to revenge and brought a desire to achieve success.
• Francis Scott Fitzgerald & His American Dream In the novel “Tender is the Night,” Fitzgerald describes the society in Riviera where he and his family had moved to live after his misfortune of late inheritance.
• American Dream: Is It Still There? It is a dream for immigrants from the Middle East to be in America; a country where discrimination is history and where no one will prevent them from achieving their dreams in life.
• The American Dream: Walt Disney’s Cinderella and Ron Howard’s Cinderella Man This is attributed to the fact that the original ideas and the fundamental principals that founded the dream are quickly fading away given the changing fortunes of the average American.
• The Death of the American Dream It is the moral decay that leads to the loss of freedom, the very essence of the founding of the American dream.
• American Dream and Unfulfilling Reality Living the American dream is the ultimate dream for most of the American citizens and those aspiring to acquire American citizenship.
• Inequality and the American Dream It is only after the poor workers are assured of their jobs that the American model can be said to be successful.
• A Response to the Article “Inequality and the American Dream” It has drawn my attention that other world countries embrace the “American model” since the super power has enormous wealth and its economic development is marked by up-to-date juggernauts of globalization and technology.
• In Pursuit of the American Dream: An Analysis of Willa Cather’s O Pioneers The experiences of the characters in the novel portray the endeavors of the early immigrants’ pursuit of the American dream. The instinct to forgo the comforts, which a home country offers by default and then […]
• Fitzgerald’s American Dream in The Great Gatsby & Winter Dreams To my mind, Winter Dream is a perfect example of the American Dream, since the main hero, Dexter, implemented each point of it, he was persistent and very hard-working, he was a very sensible and […]
• How Did Ben Franklin Exemplify the American Dream?
• Does Fitzgerald Condemn the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”?
• How Do Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass Represent the American Dream?
• Has America Lost Its Potential to Achieve the American Dream?
• How Has Disney’s Social Power Influenced the Vision of the American Dream?
• Does the American Dream Really Exist?
• How Does the Great Gatsby Portray the Death of the American Dream?
• What Does “The Great Gatsby” Have to Say About the Condition of the American Dream in the 1920s?
• How Does One Achieve the American Dream?
• What Are the Greatest Obstacles of Full Access to the American Dream?
• How Has the American Dream Been Translated Into Popular Film?
• What Does the American Dream Mean to an Immigrant?
• How Does Arthur Miller Through “Death of a Salesman” Deal With the Theme of the American Dream?
• What Must Everyone Know About the American Dream?
• How Has the American Dream Changed Over Time?
• What Is Infamous About the American Dream?
• How Does Millar Portray His Views of the American Dream Using Willy Loman?
• When Did American Dream Start?
• How Has the Media Changed the American Dream?
• Who Would Think the American Dream Isn’t Possible?
• How Does Steinbeck Present the American Dream in “Of Mice and Men”?
• Why Will Equal Pay Help Women Achieve the American Dream?
• How Might the Disadvantage of Immigration Affect the Chances of Having That American Dream?
• Why Is the American Dream Equally Given and Registered To All Citizens?
• How Does Extreme Inequality Make the American Dream Inaccessible?
• Why Is the American Dream Still Alive in the United States?
• How Are Millennials Redefining the American Dream?
• Why Is the American Dream Unattainable?
• How Does Society Influence the Idea of the American Dream?
• Why Must the United States Renew Opportunities to Achieve the American Dream to Reform Immigration Policy?
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Education And The American Dream

The American Dream exists within all of us. The American Dream is not a single goal but multiple. It varies from the American Dream of Pride, the American Dream of Freedom, etc. But one of the most important assets of the American Dream is education.

Education and the American Dream

To begin, we need to know what the American Dream is, the American Dream is composed of multiple factors and cannot be summarized in one word. Rather, the American Dream is a set of values in which Americans believe in. The American Dream is composed of what Americans believe the American Dream is, whether it be homeownership, education, pride, the four freedoms, etc.

Other people think that the reality of America is that the country provides more opportunity to those of European ancestry and men, this due to the multiple laws that discriminate against people of color and women and the system that oppresses people of color and women. But I beg to differ, and the reason for this is the examples of Condaleeza Rice. A famous African American Republican who served as Secretary of State for President George W. Bush. We then have Deirdre Prevett, a 5th generation educator and Native American serving as a principal of an elementary school in Oklahoma. Condaleeza Rice is a woman of color, yet she was able to overcome the discrimination and prejudice of this American reality, as well as Deirdre Prevett, who is also a woman of color and comes from an ancestry that America was taken from and considered inferior. You may be wondering how they overcame white supremacy in America. Well the answer is simple; they did it through the hope and promise of education.

Education is a key point for all who seek the American Dream, though education does not define the American Dream, it is an important asset. We can see the value of education through Condoleeza Rice. Rice’s family came from a background in which they were oppressed by the white supremacy of America, but her grandfather received an education and in fact gave others education through the construction of a school. Condoleeza would then be inspired to continue this legacy and educate herself to find a way to evade the prejudice that fell upon her. Condoleeza was then able to become a key component to the stability of America, she became the secretary of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. We can also see the importance of education through Deirdre Prevett who is a Native American, a Native American who was able to become the educator of the next generation, in Oklahoma no less. Oklahoma which throughout history has been known for its discriminatory background. Yet at the end of the day, both these non European Women were able to make something of their lives and live their American Dream of education.

Of course many would argue that education is not a proper American Dream and does not allow everyone to have an opportunity. We may take the following article for example titled, Less than 20% of Americans say they're living the American Dream from the American news channel CNBC. This article speaks of a survey in which 2,000 people were asked if they were living their American Dream. Out of these 2,000 people, less than 20% of them believed they were living their American Dream. Now in this case, most people surveyed went for a more domestic approach to the American Dream. Most people who were surveyed believed the American Dream was one of these three: owning a home, starting a family, or having a fulfilling career. But they didn’t agree with just this, they also agreed with the fact that their American Dream was at risk due to consumer debt. But the main piece of evidence that I would like to elaborate on is later on in the article when it speaks of people who received education yet struggle financially due to their lack of understanding the financial system. Some may think that success that comes from education is about making more money, but I would like to argue that we don’t educate ourselves to earn a high income, we educate ourselves to provide support for others, to find a passion in ourselves, to know who we are as individuals and as a society, and why. But now we must further understand who these financially troubled students are. They are simply people who received high school or college education but struggle to make ends meet. Why? Well because most students graduate without understanding what the financial system is and how it works. But does this support the argument that education does not provide opportunity? It does not, in fact, learning about the financial system is a part of education. Of course some may have no interest in the financial system or business, but this does not mean that we shouldn’t have a basic understanding of it. It is important to educate ourselves in a way that intertwines with our goals and allows us to have a stable income. Education may not be the answer to everything, but it is an important piece of the puzzle.

Americans! We must wake up and understand the significance of education. We cannot learn who we are or what we want to do without educating ourselves. Through educating ourselves, we raise the opportunity to follow our American Dream with disregard to what others think of us. To educate ourselves is to understand one another. As a democracy, we all have a voice and must decide who has power. As a society, we must understand others and what they may be facing. As individuals, we must understand ourselves, to understand others and for others to understand us, we must understand ourselves. As Americans, we decide on our American Dream.

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Chasing Dreams: A Critical Examination of the American Dream Essay

Dear students, embark on a thought-provoking journey as we delve into the complexities of the American Dream in this meticulously crafted essay. Tailored for learners of all classes, this piece navigates the nuances of aspirations, opportunities, and challenges that define the elusive concept of the American Dream.

Essay (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On American Dream: An Argumentative Exploration of Pursuit and Reality

In the tapestry of American ideals, the concept of the American Dream looms large, promising a narrative of boundless opportunities and upward mobility. As F. Scott Fitzgerald aptly noted, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” This essay seeks to unpack the layers of the American Dream, acknowledging its allure while critically examining the disparities between the promise and the reality. Beyond the rhetoric, we navigate the complex landscape of dreams, hopes, and societal expectations that shape the American narrative.

On the positive side, the American Dream has been a driving force behind innovation, entrepreneurship, and social progress. It motivates individuals to strive for success, pushing the boundaries of human potential. For instance, countless stories of immigrants achieving prosperity and social mobility attest to the transformative power of the American Dream. The dream serves as a beacon, inspiring individuals to overcome challenges and carve out a better future for themselves and their families.

However, the cons emerge as the gap widens between the dream’s promise and the reality for many. Economic disparities, systemic inequalities, and limited access to opportunities create barriers that hinder the realization of the American Dream for certain demographics. The cons are evident in the persistence of social mobility challenges, where one’s socioeconomic background often determines the trajectory of their aspirations. The dream becomes elusive when structural obstacles limit the upward mobility of individuals, challenging the notion of an equal playing field.

Moreover, the commodification of the American Dream in popular culture and media adds a layer of complexity. On one hand, the dream is celebrated as a symbol of hope and resilience. On the other hand, the romanticized portrayal of success can contribute to unrealistic expectations and a sense of failure for those who do not achieve the stereotypical markers of success. The cons lie in the potential disillusionment that arises when the pursuit of the American Dream becomes a one-size-fits-all narrative, neglecting the diverse paths to fulfillment and happiness.

In concluding our exploration of the American Dream, let us recognize the multifaceted nature of this concept. While it has served as a catalyst for ambition and progress, the dream’s realization remains elusive for many. As students and participants in the American narrative, we hold the power to critically examine and reshape the contours of the dream. In the spirit of Fitzgerald’s reflection on the ceaseless pursuit, let us strive for a collective future where the American Dream transcends its limitations, embracing a vision of opportunity and prosperity that is truly accessible to all.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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American Dream Essay Contest Award Winners and Education Awards Announced at State Competition

As part of the American Dream Essay Contest, 560 Wyoming high school students wrote poignant essays about how their lives have been shaped by a personal code of ethics, and a total of $36,150 was given in educational awards. The local first place winners from schools throughout the state met at the state competition on Sunday, April 16, 2023, in Casper for the awards ceremony.  First, second, and third place state winners and two honorable mentions were announced and received cash prizes. The American Dream Essay Contest is run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming and took place at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper.

The top essay at the state level was written by Tiana Barton from Natrona County High School. Tiana’s touching essay, “Fueled by Love,” detailed the courage she lives with each day as a teen mother who chose to keep her child. Tiana received $5,000, in addition to her local earnings of $300. Her teacher sponsor, Rebecca Sondag, will be receiving an additional $1,000, earning a total of $2,300 through this year’s contest.

Dellana Michelena, of Arvada-Clearmont High School, wrote the second-place essay, “To Be Proud,” and received $3,000, in addition to her local earnings of $300. Her essay shares a touching account of how an influential aunt inspired her to take pride in her work. Her teacher sponsor, Betsy Mack, will receive an additional $750, totaling $1,550 through this year’s contest.

The American Dream Essay Contest’s third place winner was Dana Porter from Kelly Walsh High School. Her essay, “Children are Fearless,” describes her courageous choice to remove herself and her little brother from a dangerous family situation. She received $2,000; her teacher sponsor, Bryce Flammang, received an additional $500, earning $1,200 total through the contest.

Two honorable mention winners—Rivers Robinson from Tongue River High School and Melisa Martinez from Riverside High School—each received $1,000. Their teacher sponsors were Andee Marcure and Travis Rapp, respectively.

The American Dream Essay contest has impacted the lives of youth for over 21 years in Wyoming. Students have experienced life-changing discoveries about who they are and their future potential. The American Dream Essay Contest is centered on “Ten Principles to Live By,” as highlighted in the book,  Cowboy Ethics,  by bestselling author Jim Owens. Every high school and homeschool student in grades 9-12 was invited to participate by reflecting on the Ten Principles (or their personal ethical beliefs), and writing an essay based on these guiding forces.

“The work these students invested in their writing is a true reflection of each person’s interpretation, definition, and application of the principles outlined in Jim Owen’s Code of the West. Their essays convey their astute perception of Cowboy Ethics and what it means to have an American Dream,” said Vanessa Warner, American Dream Essay Contest Coordinator.

This contest is a completely voluntary event. Teachers who participate make time for it within their current lesson plans and make it a point to encourage their students to participate. They are compensated for full-class participation, years of participation, and if one of their student’s places in the top three of the state contest. This year, 28 teachers participated, who have a combined 120 collective years   of American Dream Essay participation.

The American Dream Essay contest is sponsored by the Zimmerman Family Foundation, the Templeton Foundation, Hilltop National Bank, Larry and Margo Bean, Kevin and Julie Murphy, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming.

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Home — Essay Samples — Economics — American Dream — Immigrants And The American Dream

Immigrants and The American Dream

• Categories: American Dream

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Words: 952 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 952 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

I. introduction, a. the american dream, b. immigration and the united states, c. thesis statement, ii. the concept of the american dream, a. the fluid nature of the american dream, b. immigrants and the american dream, c. challenges faced by immigrants, iii. economic opportunities for immigrants, a. varied job opportunities, b. income disparities, c. importance of education and upward mobility, iv. social integration and cultural assimilation, a. challenges in adapting to american culture, b. discrimination and prejudice, c. importance of community support, v. the impact of immigration policies on the american dream, a. role of government policies, b. legal barriers, c. importance of immigration reform, vi. conclusion, a. impact of immigration on the american dream, b. interconnectedness of immigrants and the american dream, c. importance of further research.

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