Viability of the American Dream

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Aaron Richards
Professor Baskerville
SOC 11
18 December 2015
Viability of the American Dream
The economic hardships from the mortgage crisis has caused questions
concerning the viability of the American dream. There has been much growth and
prosperity for individuals in this nation, but there has also been growth in the economic
disparity amongst Americans. There is much inequality and there are forces within which
drive it to unprecedented levels. Films such as Park Avenue Money, Power, & The
American Dream directed by Alex Gibney help to apply a context as to how the powers
that be have had and maintain their influence. There are also implications for the future as
a result of this influence which millennials have given their opinion on in Jonathan
Chews article "Half of Millennials Believe the American Dream Is Dead.
I think that the viability of the American dream is very low. I truly feel that it has
never existed for all. This is not to be pessimistic, for I say this only because this country
has manipulated and used countless individuals. In ways the American dreams origin is a
result of those manipulations. Slavery, the manifest destiny, and imperialism are historical
examples in this regard. What the common man desires is often at times unfortunately
false hope, for there is an unseen influence involved. For example, with a mortgage
literally meaning that you do not own your home until its paid off, what are truly facets
of the American dream?

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I think that it is very likely that I will be able to improve my socio-economic
position during the course of my lifetime. I remembered when I barely made $5,000 in a
given year and had to rely on other resources to maintain. To have in ways quintupled
that amount is a testament to the plights of many in my socio-economic condition. It is
also hope that change can come if the challenge is taken on. I believe in education and
my impending career within teaching to be my agent to improvement. The same factors
and opportunities exist for other members of my generation. Education is the resource to
make those dreams reality. Particular hindrances would be non-prudent decision making
either stemming from pressure of the environment or particular socio-economic
conditions. Perseverance is key in a society as such, and I hope that my generation as a
whole understands this on their quest to economic mobility.
Does someone truly attribute their thanks to the individual which made their $350
shoe for an infinitesimal portion of the market price, or do they only feel fulfilled about
wearing that $350 pair of shoes? In ways the American dream has shifted to being the
agent used to fuel commercialism to reflect prosperity, rather than being prosperous.
Commercialism, the banking system, and greater elite, or the more popular term the 1%
are forces driving up inequality in our society. From a conflict perspective amongst these
three areas there is a natural relationship within. For commercialism there is a consumer
and retailer. For the banking system there is a lender and a borrower. Within the mases of
the elite, there are those that have and those that do not. There is natural tension between
these groups, but the economic hardships and pressure are not on those in the dominant
role within these various settings. The burden or challenges are often attributed to the
have-nots as the film referenced. The article also had some interesting statistics:

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education level played a significant role in determining the vitality of the American
Dream. 58% of millennials who graduated from college said the Dream was alive for
them personally, while for those who were not in college or have never enrolled in one,
only 42% said the same (Chew). Education is also a prominent factor, but since many
educated individuals are still affected by the inequality in our society, it shows the
deliberate nature of how those that have or the elites, can place burdens on those whom
do not.
These burdens or challenges from these forces makes it difficult for society to
function for the interests of all. This would have a negative impact toward the quest for
economic mobility. Commercialism creates a cannibalistic attitude which helps attribute
to the shift in how the American dream is viewed. Is it the items in which we have, or our
ability to attain those items? The banking system can create financial flexibility and
assistance at times, but many of the unforeseen fess and surrounding logistics conflict
with the American dream. Banks make millions of dollars annually from services and
fees that do not always benefit the customer. The elite prosper off of the lacking of the
lower class, and according to the film are taxed at a significantly lower rate
proportionally. How can those that earn less lose a higher percentage of their income?
The conjunction of these factors appear to only keep the elite in control economically,
and thus gain the control to manipulate whoever is deemed under them. Conflict is a part
of everyday life in all societies according to Karl Marx, but when one group has success
at the expense of another, it shows that there can be enough for both. The elite attain the
American dream at the expense of anyone else being able to.

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Works Cited
Chew, Jonathan. "Half of Millennials Believe the American Dream Is
Dead."Leadership. Fortune Magazine, 11 Dec. 2015. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream. Dir. Alex Gibney.
Democracy Pictures, LLC, 2012. Web.