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Personal Narrative: The American Dream

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The American Dream - the reason most Americans get up every morning, and go to school or work. With hopes that, one day, they will live a life free of financial burdens. Is the American Dream attainable for most Americans though? I do not think so. Most Americans are stuck in their parents social class. Some people are stuck there simply based on their race, and education. Life chances, as defined by Karen Sternheimer on her blog Inequality and Life Chances: Going to Law School or Going to Prison is that "one's opportunities are shaped by our class and status." If our opportunities are shaped by this criteria, then most of us will be overlooked for higher paying positions - simply because we were born to the wrong family. As much as I would like to think that the American Dream …show more content…

When I graduated high school, the option to go to college was not attainable. My parents made just enough that I would not have qualified for financial aid, and I would have had to take out student loans. Therefore, I did not go to college. I went to a trade school, and worked as soon as possible. Once I got married, and had children, all that changed. I was then able to go to college, and get the financial help I needed. I do not take this for granted. I know I will be one of the lucky few who experience upward social mobility, once I graduate and start working. This means my children will live a much different life than I did. I wish this was the case for all Americans, but I do not see it happening much. Many of my friends from high school make about the same as their parents, and many did not go to college. The few that did, have parents that went to college. The trend is there, most people just choose not to see it. The American Dream is possible, but not for everyone, even if they work very hard to achieve it. I do not feel this is a reason to try any less though. If anything, it should inspire people to try

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