american dream (middle-class, real estate, apartments)

[bayareacleaner]

Hi there,

I'M a college student and in one of my courses, we are making a research about what do the american dream is to the people , do that means something or is just a myths

can you guys tell me what the American dreams is to you?

[jzt83]

It's called the American dream because you've got to be asleep to attain it.

[blue04]

Originally Posted by jzt83

It's called the American dream because you've got to be asleep to attain it.

good one, to me it's being a home owner. Why cause its almost impossible!!!

[majoun]

Originally Posted by bayareacleaner

Hi there,

I'M a college student and in one of my courses, we are making a research about what do the american dream is to the people , do that means something or is just a myths

can you guys tell me what the American dreams is to you?

Live your life, do what you want, when you want, don't let anyone stop you, and don't give a **** about authority or "moral values".

Obviously, the American dream has become near-impossible to achieve unless you're ultra wealthy.

[tennis368fan]

The "American Dream" is something that has become overly materialistic in recent years. Owning a home is one that mainstream media has been portraying for many years since the astronomical rise in real estate values in the nation. Now, with home prices falling and households losing their homes, it is all the more horrible as people are "waking up".

To me, the "American Dream" is really something that varies from person to person, and from time to time. During the colonial era, people came to what would become the United States to practice their religion and worship freely, to escape political oppression, and/or to attain financial stability. Overtime, with mass media, the "American Dream" came to be see as something more materialistic for mainstream society. Regardless of class or social status, people could attain wealth and financial stability through hard work and determination.

In the post-World War II American society, owning a home became a crucial part in signifying financial well-being of an individual/family. Before this, average middle-class families rented apartments, townhomes, and even single-family homes in the city. In established Bay Area cities, the many Victorian-era "Queen Anne cottages" are a symbol of mass tracts of rentals catered toward the middle class, owned by a single landlord. These were families that could afford homes had mass-suburbanization taken place. When suburbs became popular, and when loans were made available to veterans, there was suddenly a massive market of average Americans who become their own landlords. Renting meant that you were at the whim of a landlord, and ever since, homeownship became a popular of financial stability.

Overtime, people developed the misconception that owning the home is the "American Dream", thanks to the media. Hey, if I saw films over and over again protraying happy families with their own plot of land, I would certainly believe so. However, in reality, it is everything that goes into owning that home in the suburbs - the money and income it takes to sustain such a lifestyle, the perceived geniality of the neighbors, the good schools that would provide future generations a foundation to continue a stable lifestyle, and the morality tied to the importance of religion and/or community.

For example, if you take on an obligation, such as a loan, this is one of the reasons why you pay back, or else you risk being shamed as the person you made an obligation can be your neighbor or is someone that frequents you mall, town center, or your children's schools. The urban city possesses more transparency as it usually contains hundreds of thousands of people, and thus the sense of community found in a small suburban town does not take place on a city-wide scale.

So, there you have it. This is my idea of the American Dream and how I, and others, portray it.

[DMenscha]

The American dream is that anyone can achieve anything in this country no matter how humble their beginnings.

[ElleBebe]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

The American dream is that anyone can achieve anything in this country no matter how humble their beginnings.

This is how I see it, too. Rising up to the top of the social and financial ladder despite hard times and achieving popularity and success.

[18Montclair]

The American Dream as I understand it usually refers to purchasing a home.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

The American dream is that anyone can achieve anything in this country no matter how humble their beginnings.

That's how I see it, but the details differ from person to person... for one it could mean owning a home and making a huge salary, for others it could simply be having a stable job and healthy family. As for myself, I just want to be happy in whatever I do - which doesn't necessarily go along with having money, as I learned during my childhood/teen years.

[bayareacleaner]

thanks so much for your comments and for responding to my questiion, I hope I get the credits in my class. lol

thanks

Rod