The American Dream

The phrase “the American Dream” is used so often that it seems self explanatory, yet its meaning is much deeper. It was first coined by James Adams in a work about the Great Depression, when he sought to inspire people going through hard times and described an idea of a country where hard work and personal freedom open the way to a better future. Over time, this image evolved into something close to a national ideology of the United States.

The meaning of the dream is built on ideas of freedom, equal opportunity, and the ability to shape one’s life according to one’s own wishes. For Americans themselves, it is most often associated with the right to be oneself, to start a business, to choose one’s own path, and to succeed through fair competition. For immigrants, the American Dream is primarily a hope for upward mobility and a chance to obtain what their home country may not provide: safety, stability, and the sense that everyone starts from the same line.

Culture has formed a recognizable image of this dream: a neat house with a lawn, a new car, a prosperous family, and a good school for the children. The Statue of Liberty has become its material symbol, as has the broader idea of social justice that many people feel is lacking elsewhere.

In reality, however, the American Dream has changed over time. The US economy faces growing challenges, competition has intensified, and the path to financial stability is no longer as straightforward as it once was. Many people live on credit, debt levels are high, and unemployment is not uncommon. Losing income can mean losing social status, since in American culture a person’s position is often judged by material success. This reshapes attitudes toward the ideal of success: people are forced to budget carefully, adapt constantly, and monitor their credit history simply to maintain control over their finances.