The American Dream By Alexis De Tocqueville - 1566 Words

The American Dream is the idea that every United States citizen has equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work and determination. However, ideas of the dream have evolved throughout time from the 18th century up to present day. The general population’s view and my view of the American Dream both have altered throughout time. My idea of the American Dream has developed from not only today’s views on The Dream, but also from the evolutionary process the meaning has been through. Throughout the years, the definition of the American Dream has evolved as the world itself has changed. In the 1800’s, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about ideas that dealt with the American Dream, such as equality, liberty, individualism, democracy,†¦show more content†¦When Gallup repeated the question half a century later in 1997, the results were virtually identical.† (Bowman). Gallup also asked mothers the same question for their daughters in 1946- their respons es were virtually the same. While the father’s responses in 1997 were identical to the 1946 study, the mother’s responses showed â€Å"Eighty-five percent said their daughters’ opportunities would be better than the ones they had.† (Bowman). This research shows the belief of women achieving the American Dream has increased throughout the years more rapidly than men’s beliefs. In addition to people believing men have better opportunity to achieve the American Dream than women, young adults believe the American Dream is dead. Steve Tobak, a trusted strategic advisor to executives and business leaders wrote, â€Å"...about half of those aged 18 to 29 recently surveyed Opens a New Window said that the dream is dead† (Tobak). Young adults believe the American Dream is unattainable because they believe The Dream is a guarantee. Once they realize The Dream is only acquired by a series of hard work, their ultimate goal seems too far out of reach t o be achieved. Achieving The Dream is based on a numerous amount of factors that young adults do not consider when they think about the Dream, â€Å"...American dream is a function of intelligence, capability, personal choice, work ethic, achievement, upbringing and luck. And it should come as noShow MoreRelatedAmerica: Land of Opportunity or Land of the Wealthy in Occupy Wall Street788 Words   |  4 Pageseconomic recession in 2007 and 2008. Over the course of the month, the movement protesting the miscarriage of justice and democracy following the economic catastrophe and the overall inequitable and unfair wealth distribution diffused to over 100 American cities as well as 1,500 cities worldwide. 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