What is the American Dream...exactly?

Question

This question was asked to me the other day and I did not know how to respond. With every politician in America preaching about acheiving the American Dream...I am uncertain that there is such a thing...someone would have started living it already. My quess is that the American dream is simply to try to achieve the American dream.

Answer 1

up until 1990 it was a spouse, a home that you owned, a good job and a promising future for your children......

...some time after that, it became "whatever I want whenever I want...."

...oddly enough, that is also the well-recognized mantra of the clinical addict...

Answer 2

The American Dream can be described as a belief in freedom that allows all citizens and residents(America) to achieve their goals in life through hard work.  Today, it generally refers to the idea that one's prosperity depends upon one's own abilities and hard work, not on a rigid class Structure, though the meaning of the phrase has changed over America's history.

Answer 3

It *used* to be "married, own a nice house, white picket-fence, dog, cat, 2.3 children" yadda yadda yadda. Nowadays, I think its more "customized" (for lack of a better phrase) to the individual person.  I will say, however, that MOST people, at least the ones I know, say that their dream-life would be to own their own home (or own it outright/not paying a mortgage anymore), have a stable career, enough money in the bank so that they can live comfortably, and no debt. For me, the latter is very much sought after, especially the zero-debt thing..but the way I look at it, no matter how much money i have, how great my quality of life is..there will *always* be room for improvement, so I don't honestly think that the "American Dream" is attainable..at least not 100% of the time.

Answer 4

The American dream is simple, to be able to go after what you want, without thinking, "I can't do that because  I am not a member of nobility or a certain political party, a certain religion, ethnic group or race, etc."  It does not mean you will be successful, you may fail,or you may just get what you want then find out it wasn't what you expected, but you still get the chance to try.

Answer 5

The stereotypical "American dream" is to have the financial security to own a home, raise a family, and to spend your free time as you wish.

Edit:

there is nothing that says the poor or uninsured cannot be happy but being happy is not the definition of the American dream

Answer 6

A house

two cars

good schools for your kids

and now a days

No credit card debt.

Answer 7

Having more than your parents had, raising a family buying a home and retiring comfortably and not being a burden on your loved ones.

Answer 8

Huh?  

People do live the American dream, and just because everyone doesn't, doesn't mean it's imaginary.

American dream:

House

Can support family and put kids through college

Vacations

Good retirement

Apple pie.

Answer 9

Being financially secure, owning your own home.

Answer 10

My American dream is to marry the most beautiful girl in the world and have a billion dollars.

Dennis G

Answer 11

Lying-lies

Answer 12

Be Married to Angelina Jolie or Jessica Alba

Answer 13

Whatever you want it to be.  What do you want to achieve in life?  Whatever it is, attaining those goals will be the American Dream for you.

What the American Dream may be for you may be a nightmare to someone else.