ipl-logo

The American Dream: Social Mobility Is Achievable

579 Words3 Pages

The American Dream, the dream that we earn a college degree, own our own home, take vacations and move up the social ladder. Is this achievable for all Americans? Some think yes, some think no, but we all agree that it involves social mobility. Social mobility is the movement up or down the social class ladder. Although there may be obstacles that slow the process of achieving social mobility, it is still achievable. Those failures and obstacles you encounter can only make you stronger.
There is something else that plays a big role in the social mobility and the American Dream, which is structural mobility. Structural mobility is the movement up or down the social class ladder that is due more to the changes in the structure of the society …show more content…

Although not directly related, I think this is very similar to the debate of nature vs. nurture. We are given a certain set of opportunities and place within a position within the societal structure, these we have no control over and are similar to nature. Social mobility on the other hand can be influenced by our efforts and environments, and is therefore similar to nurture. Life chances are our nature and structural mobility is our nurture. Our life chances we can’t really control because we are given them. However, being given them, allows us to change the circumstances to what we want. Structural mobility cannot be as easily controlled because it involves the society as a whole and not as individuals.
Due to the fact that structural mobility is out of the hands of individuals, they must focus on the life chances they are given and how they can help them achieve social mobility. Then, if the structural mobility makes it possible you can seize the moment and achieve the American Dream. As I’ve mentioned before, this all has to do with believing you can do it and letting nothing stop you. Once you have that motivation you will be able to achieve almost anything in life that you want

Show More
Related

  • Why Was Jamestown Important To The Development Of The United States

    790 Words  | 4 Pages

    A person could, with enough hard work, potentially move up a class. Here, we see the beginning of an extremely American attitude: that with enough hard work, anyone can succeed. This is the stuff of the American dream, and it all started in

    Read More

  • Why Is The American Dream Attainable

    611 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American dream is a term used in a lot of ways. Although research has shown that American dream can’t be attainable by most people, closer examination shows that it can be attainable by the following reasons. As Daniel J. Mitchell stated in New York Times im January 1st, 2015 “The United States is not a perfect country, but the American Dream is still a reality.” By that he meant that even with America’s Grow rate, poverty, unemployment rate in the past years and still going Americans can still chase their American dreams If we look at the history and the definition it shows that infact it is possible to attain it.

    Read More

  • DBQ Essay: The American Dream

    808 Words  | 4 Pages

    Since the beginning of time in the United States, the idea of the American Dream has had a heavy influence on society. According to Document C, American Dream is defined as earning enough money to be happy, obtaining a worry-free lifestyle, and running in a high social circle. While working Americans still hold on to the hope of the American Dream, individuals from other countries often move to the United States with the hope that they too may have a piece of the pie. Despite the novelty and allure of the American Dream, it is nothing more than false hope.

    Read More

  • How Does Tom Buchanan Represent The Corruption Of The American Dream

    1051 Words  | 5 Pages

    The American Dream is often seen as a goal for many people in the United States, with the idea that it can lead to a more fulfilling, richer, and happier life. This concept is rooted in the early days of the country and the belief that "all men are created equal," meaning that the American Dream is meant to be a clear path to success for all Americans regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, political beliefs, or religion. However, upon further examination, it becomes clear that the true American Dream has not been fully achieved. Despite the promise of equality and opportunity, there are still barriers and inequalities that prevent certain groups from achieving the same level of success as others. This suggests that the American Dream,

    Read More

  • The American Dream In Roberto Acuna Talks About Farm Workers

    1015 Words  | 5 Pages

    The American dream is not as easy as people say it is. The American Dream is being able to afford the necessities you need, without having to struggle and suffer just to put food on a table for their families. People think it’s easy to live the American Dream, but little do they know that there are people out there struggling to support their family. The American Dream is difficult to achieve but very possible if people could find the opportunity and available to them.

    Read More

  • Michael W. Kraus 'American Dream? Or Mirage?'

    607 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is the American Dream? The American Dream is defined by the ideal that life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. In the article “ American Dream? Or Mirage?” by Michael W. Kraus, Shai Davidai, and A. David Nussbaum, the idea that the lower you are on the wealth/class scale the more you believe in the american dream, whilst on the other hand the higher you are, the more you think it is just luck rather than merit. Professor Kraus et al were wrong in saying that the American Dream is still alive when in truth the American Dream is dying if it is not already dead not only in the upper class but also in the lower class.

    Read More

  • Comparing The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And Their Eyes Were Watching God

    881 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although we have the freedom to access the American Dream most people have challenges of achieving it. In the novels, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we see each protagonist struggling ,but at the same time a strong aspiration in obtaining their American Dream. For example, Jay Gatsby, he was the definition of the American Dream,he builds his social status from becoming a farm boy to one of the world's top millionaire but his dream wasn't complete without the love of Daisy. Unfortunately Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God

    Read More

  • TED Talks: The American Dream

    1309 Words  | 6 Pages

    The American dream is having equality, a voice to be heard and stability in one’s life. However, the American Dream is just that, a dream. It cannot be attained because of the power of our government, the ignorant minds of others and the constant want for more. What should be trivial factors in life, such as: race, gender, social class, wealth, etc., all have a significant effect on the impractical American dream. the “TED Talks” video proves this.

    Read More

  • Moving Up The Truth About Getting Ahead In America Summary

    1274 Words  | 6 Pages

    Author Robert McKinnon in his work, “Moving Up: The Truth about Getting Ahead in America” has discussed factors that affect our chances of achieving the American Dream. In the article, "Moving Up: The Truth about Getting Ahead in America" Robert McKinnon argues that “it is easier to stay at the top then it is to rise from the bottom.” Throughout the article McKinnon illustrates the three most important factors when it comes to moving up in the social class to achieve the American Dream this includes: mobility, hard work, and the fate of our birth. Although McKinnon proved all these factors to be vital when it comes to living the American Dream, I believe that hard work is the most important when it comes to achieving the American Dream.

    Read More

  • American Dream Dbq

    1159 Words  | 5 Pages

    Source C argues that the American Dream should be a promise of equal opportunity for all and that the current economic and social conditions have made it increasingly difficult for many Americans to achieve

    Read More

  • American Dream Is Achievable

    1061 Words  | 5 Pages

    No matter who you are or where you have come from, you have undoubtedly heard of the American Dream. The idea that no matter who you are or where you have come from, you can do whatever it is you desire in America. What was once one the main driving forces for immigrants to flock to the new world, has slowly changed over the years, but still holds its value in the eyes of those who are looking for a promising new place to live. The American dream might not hold the same awe inspiring sound that it once did, but for many generations before ours, it was a beacon of hope that helped build the foundation that the United States was built on. And still today the American dream might not be as achievable as it once was, but it is still an important symbol to the American ideology.

    Read More

  • What Does The American Dream Mean To Me Essay

    1391 Words  | 6 Pages

    Therefore, anyone can achieve the American Dream if they believed in themselves, and put their mind to it; and don’t accomplish the dream for others but yourself. As Ralph Waldo Emerson stated in his book, Self Reliance and Other Essays “ if we live truly, we shall see truly” (Emerson 29). Education is another great aspect of the American Dream. Education for American citizens have been ever expanding. More and more Americans are

    Read More

  • Is The American Dream A Reality Essay

    1149 Words  | 5 Pages

    There is language barriers, cultural barriers, and money barriers. There is also a lot of obstacles even for people who live in our country trying to achieve the American Dream. Many people across the US live in poverty, all those people have completely different definitions of the dream. The dreams could be so simple like just getting a job one day, or feeding their family. People who live in the US have lots of obstacles for getting the american dream, they’re just different than

    Read More

  • Thesis Statement On The American Dream

    1060 Words  | 5 Pages

    No matter who you are or where you have come from, you have undoubtedly heard of the American Dream. The idea that no matter who you are or where you have come from, you can do whatever it is you desire in America. What was once one the main driving forces for immigrants to flock to the new world, has slowly changed over the years, but still holds its value in the eyes of those who are looking for a promising new place to live. The American dream might not hold the same awe inspiring sound that it once did, but for many generations before ours it was a beacon of hope that helped build the foundation that the United States was built on. And, still, today the American dream might not be as achievable as it once was, but it is still an important

    Read More

  • Essay On Social Classes In America

    608 Words  | 3 Pages

    America is the land of opportunity with many different career choices and educational experiences for anyone despite their different social classes. Although defined by social classes, I believe people can choose to progress from the social class they are born into. In order to fulfill the “American Dream,” someone must work hard, have courage, and determination, then they can prosper and achieve success. Stated simply, Ben Carson said, “Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams.” No matter what social class a person comes from, they can overcome any obstacle in their lives as long as they set their mind to

    Read More

More about The American Dream: Social Mobility Is Achievable

Open Document