The Slow Death of the American Dream

I believe there several reasons for the diminishing hope and the slow death of the “American Dream”. I know I know it sound like a drastic statement, almost apocalyptic. In some aspects it is. Many would place the blame for this squarely on the current administration of United States Government. Many would place the blame on the United States Government of the last 10 years as a whole. I don’t completely disagree that both of the theories have a valid place in the whole scheme of things. However, this evolution of the “American Dream” is nothing new. It has been happening since the 1990’s. Before I get started after reading this a lot of people will have some questions like, “Where the hell did he get data to support these claims?” “Does he have any data to support these claims?” In short no, I don’t have any data this is based on my personal opinion and experiences. I’ve been around the block more time than I like to think about and grew up far from a privileged and sheltered life, seen far more than my fair share. So these are the statements of someone who has been on all sides of the spectrum.

It all starts with the “Everyone is a Winner” campaign that started with the generation of kids born post 1990. First off NO, NO, NO, and NO. Not everyone is a winner. This is a very dangerous mindset to instill into children that will eventually be the generation that is supposed to provide the stability of this great nation. Now I understand why the “Everyone is a Winner” evolution seemed like a good idea at the time. Nobody wants to see their child upset for any reason. Not to mention wanting your child to be treated equally as other children. It’s human nature to want to protect your child. Granted there are parents out there that fail at even basic elements of human nature, however that is a whole other topic for a different day. The problem with this evolution is that by teaching children that they are always “winners” is a failure to prepare them for the future. If their substandard performance is embraced as great, this creates a mindset that what they just did is adequate or at worst perfect. This mindset prevents children and even adults from the drive to do better, study harder, practice harder.

The standards have even been lowered in in schools so low that as long as you go through the motions you will graduate. While this does result in more high school graduates, this cheats the students from being challenged, from stretching their thinking, and hinders their drive for greatness. A diploma does not make you intelligent. When you lower the standard of greatness, you lower the potential for greatness.

While the definition of the “American Dream” may vary depending on who ask, I took the liberty of looking up the definition to help keep everyone on the same page. “The “American Dream” is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers”. Now that we are clear on what the “American Dream” is by definition. Let’s talk about what is not the “American Dream”. The “American Dream” is not sitting around expecting handouts while you sit on your ass. It is not Socialism. It is not taking from the actual hard working Americans and giving to those that chose to no to work towards bettering themselves or their families. The words that makes the “American Dream” the “American Dream” are, “opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers”. The key words here are OPPORTUNITY AND HARD WORK.  While I agree there is some room for improvement on the opportunity and barriers piece.

I feel that the current generations have this misconception that they are entitled to opportunity for prosperity and success through handouts, not HARD WORK. Now, my argument is, this is not completely their fault. I believe as a society we have enabled them to develop this mindset from adolescents. Unfortunately, now that we are at the point our society has decided instead of correcting our path, we along with the government should take care of these “Everyone is a Winner” disciples, which only perpetuates the cycle and embraces the idea “why work hard to better my life and situation, someone is going to give me what I need.” Thus causing the ideals of the “American Dream” to die a dishonorable death. Just remember that nothing is free and someone has to work hard and pay for your handouts.

If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving in the wrong direction.