9.2 The American Dream
Examine the concept of the American Dream and its reality.
50 min
6 oppgaver
American DreamSocial mobilityImmigrationInequality
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The American Dream
The idea that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success through hard work is a core American belief. This concept shapes American politics, culture, and self-understanding - but does reality match the ideal?
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the origins and evolution of the American Dream
- Analyze data on social mobility and inequality
- Evaluate the American Dream critically from multiple perspectives
- Compare American and Norwegian approaches to opportunity and equality
The Dream's Promise:
- Equal opportunity for all
- Upward social mobility
- Freedom to pursue happiness
- Success through merit, not birth
Theory 1: The Origins and Evolution of the Dream
Where Did the Term Come From?
The phrase "American Dream" was coined by historian James Truslow Adams in 1931:
The phrase "American Dream" was coined by historian James Truslow Adams in 1931:
"That 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... regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."
The Dream Through History:
Colonial Era - Land and Independence:
- In Europe, land meant status and was hard to get
- In America, land seemed unlimited
- Dream: own land, be independent, pass wealth to children
19th Century - Westward Expansion:
- Manifest Destiny: keep moving west for opportunity
- Homestead Act (1862): free land for settlers
- Immigration: "streets paved with gold"
- Reality: Native Americans displaced; harsh conditions
Early 20th Century - From Farm to Factory:
- Industrial jobs offered wages
- Immigrants came seeking better life
- Dream: work hard, save, your children will have more
Post-WWII - The Suburban Dream:
- GI Bill: education and home loans for veterans
- Rise of the middle class
- Dream: house, car, stable job, college for kids
- Reality: These benefits largely excluded Black Americans
Today's Dream:
- College education as key to success
- Homeownership increasingly unaffordable
- Healthcare, childcare, and education costs rising
- Dream increasingly out of reach for many
Example: Immigration and the American Dream
The Statue of Liberty's Promise
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."
Italian Immigration (1880-1920)
- About 4 million Italians came to America
- Faced discrimination: called "wops," seen as inferior
- Worked dangerous jobs: mining, construction, factories
- Many lived in poverty
The Dream in Action:
Giuseppe Verdi (not his real name) arrived in New York in 1905, age 17:
- Worked in a coal mine in Pennsylvania
- Injured in a mine accident, moved to New York
- Opened a small grocery store
- His son became a teacher
- His granddaughter became a doctor
The Dream's Timeline:
The "American Dream" often takes generations:
- First generation: Survival, hard labor, sacrifice
- Second generation: Stability, education, moving up
- Third generation: Professional careers, middle class
But Not For Everyone:
- Black Americans faced legal barriers until 1960s
- Asian immigrants banned (1882-1943)
- Mexican workers brought in then deported during crises
- Native Americans stripped of land and citizenship
Key Question:
Is the American Dream about individual success, or does it require fair systems?
📝Oppgave 1
Analyze the evolution of the American Dream:
a
How has the American Dream changed from the colonial era to today?
b
Why did post-WWII America seem to fulfill the Dream for many white Americans?
c
Why were Black Americans largely excluded from the post-war Dream?
📝Oppgave 2
Analyze the immigrant experience:
a
Why did the "American Dream" often take multiple generations to achieve for immigrant families?
b
What barriers did different immigrant groups face?
Theory 2: The Dream Today - Facts and Debates
Social Mobility: The Data
The "Great Gatsby Curve":
Research shows that countries with more inequality have less social mobility. America has both high inequality AND low mobility compared to other wealthy nations.
Key Statistics (2020s):
- A child born to parents in the bottom 20% has only an 8% chance of reaching the top 20%
- In Denmark, that chance is 15%
- 40% of Americans born poor stay poor
- Social mobility has declined since the 1940s
Wealth Inequality:
- Top 1% own more than bottom 50% combined
- CEO pay: 351x average worker (was 21x in 1965)
- Median household wealth: 17,600)
Barriers to the Dream Today:
1. Education costs: Average student debt $37,000; college costs tripled since 1980
2. Healthcare: Medical bills cause 66% of bankruptcies; tied to employment
3. Housing: Home prices risen faster than wages; many cities unaffordable
4. Wages: Minimum wage hasn't kept up with productivity or inflation
5. Jobs: Gig economy, unstable employment, fewer benefits
Does the Dream Still Exist?
- Believers: America still offers more opportunity than most places
- Critics: Structural barriers make hard work insufficient
- Moderates: Dream is achievable for some, but systems need reform
Example: Comparing America and Norway
Two Approaches to Opportunity
The American Approach:
- Low taxes, less government
- Individual responsibility
- Healthcare through employers
- Education requires significant debt
- Safety net is limited
- "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps"
The Norwegian Approach:
- Higher taxes, more government
- Collective responsibility
- Universal healthcare
- Free higher education
- Strong safety net
- "We succeed together"
Social Mobility Comparison:
| Factor | United States | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom to top 20% | 8% | 12% |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 0.39 | 0.27 |
| Healthcare | Tied to job | Universal |
| University cost | ~$100,000+ debt | Free |
| Parental leave | 0 weeks (federal) | 49 weeks |
| Child poverty | 17% | 4% |
The Paradox:
America believes more strongly in social mobility, but Norway actually has more of it.
Why the Difference?
- Norwegian policies remove barriers (healthcare, education costs)
- American policies assume individuals should overcome barriers
- Norway accepts higher taxes for collective benefits
- America fears government "socialism"
Key Question:
Which system better fulfills the promise of opportunity for all?
📝Oppgave 3
Analyze social mobility data:
a
What does it mean that a child born poor in America has an 8% chance of becoming wealthy, while in Denmark it's 15%?
b
Why might countries with MORE government programs have HIGHER social mobility?
📝Oppgave 4
Compare American and Norwegian approaches:
a
List three advantages of the American approach (low taxes, individual responsibility).
b
List three advantages of the Norwegian approach (higher taxes, collective systems).
c
Which approach do you think is better? Why?
Summary
Key Points:
1. Definition: The American Dream is the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work, regardless of background.
2. Evolution: The Dream has changed from land ownership to homeownership to college education, but the core idea of opportunity remains.
3. Reality Gap: Data shows America has less social mobility than many European countries, despite stronger belief in mobility.
4. Inequality: Wealth inequality has increased dramatically; barriers to success have grown (education costs, healthcare, housing).
5. Comparison: Norwegian-style systems with stronger safety nets actually produce more social mobility than the American approach.
6. Debate: The American Dream remains powerful as an ideal, but whether it reflects reality is contested.
Key Vocabulary:
- Social mobility - ability to move between economic classes
- Income inequality - gap between rich and poor
- The Great Gatsby Curve - relationship between inequality and low mobility
- Meritocracy - system where success is based on ability and effort
- Safety net - government programs supporting those in need
📝Oppgave 5
Essay question (250-350 words):
Topic
"The American Dream is a myth that benefits the wealthy." Discuss this statement, presenting arguments for and against.
📝Oppgave 6
Creative and analytical project:
a
Find an American song, film, or story about the American Dream (e.g., "The Great Gatsby," "Born to Run," a rags-to-riches movie).
b
Analyze: Does this work celebrate the Dream, critique it, or both?
c
Write a 200-word analysis connecting the work to what you've learned about the Dream's reality.
Sources and Further Reading
- Cullen, J. (2003). The American Dream: A Short History of an Idea That Shaped a Nation. Oxford University Press.
- Putnam, R. (2015). Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis. Simon & Schuster.
- Pew Research Center - Social Trends: pewresearch.org/social-trends