Everyone has their own personal "American Dream," and they all look a little different.
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| Kinda like fingerprints! |
There are many reasons for the deaths of these American Dreams. The first one that comes to mind is a lack of opportunities/education due to poverty.
I agree with many of my peers that Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (which we recently studied in psychology) plays a big role in this idea of wealth/poverty, and the American Dream.
One's American Dream exists in the top "Self-actualization" tier of Maslow's Hierarchy. But, in order for someone to get to that place of being able to fulfill their potential, they must first meet the needs laid out in the bottom four tiers.
When living in poverty, people don't have the monetary necessities to meet the physiological and safety needs. Thus, they can't ever move on to work on realizing their American Dream because they're too focused on securing their next meal. For more than 46 million Americans, this is a reality.
For those that are able to meet their most basic needs, their American Dream is still not guaranteed. Connecting to the next level in the hierarchy, in my experience, the biggest dream killer can be one's own family and friends.
When my older brother was a senior in high school, I remember him having conversations with my parents about college majors and possible schools. I remember he expressed interest in majoring in English and becoming a writer but my parents strongly dissuaded him. They felt that he wouldn't make any money as a writer, so they encouraged him to pursue writing as a hobby alongside something more practical.
And that's exactly what he did.
That's a huge flaw in the idea of the American Dream: practicality. People are too focused on finances and job security to pursue their true passions. Maybe that's one reason only 1 in 3 Americans were considered "very happy" in this 2013 poll.
But the poll also shows that Americans, now more than ever, are placing less emphasis on wealth and its role in a happy life.
So maybe the tides are turning.
As my friends begin committing to colleges, exploring majors and career options, just as my brother did so many years ago, I see evidence of this change. Many are choosing to pursue careers in music, acting, visual art, and directing, not giving a single thought to money, because those are the things they're passionate about.
I wish I knew exactly what my American Dream consisted of, but I'm still in the process of figuring things out. I've considered becoming a pediatrician, an EMT, an aquatic veterinarian, a writer, an editor, a social worker, a teacher, or even joining the military. So who knows where I'll really end up.
There are a few things I know for sure:
I have a dream to be as brave as those mentioned above: pursuing passion for passion's sake.
I have a dream to do something meaningful-not necessarily to change the world, but to change someone's world.
I have a dream to love, and be loved.
I have a dream to be content, to have what I need, and to love what I have.
