By Kolin Kriner
The American Dream, to many, revolves greatly around material wants and sound living. It’s a goal many strive to achieve, and it’s become the epitome of success to Americans. However, this American Dream is simply an idea, and everyone has a different view on what this dream looks like.
To some, The American Dream could look like the nuclear family, which consists of two legally married adults and their children. These families generally live in the suburbs with a white picket fence kind of lifestyle.
Some people who come to America might view the American Dream as the idea of freedom and a fresh start. The American Dream can also be just getting by day to day.
With many varying definitions of what the American Dream is, it shows that it takes on a different meaning from person to person. The circumstances of that person have a great impact on what that dream is.
For me, the American Dream is a lifestyle rather than a life as a whole. My American Dream is to do whatever makes me happy in each individual moment of my life. I don’t find love in the idea of living a sound and uniform life — that just sounds boring to me.
Instead, I’d rather live a life in which I let the world take me where it takes me. I find joy in spontaneous decisions like this because it gives me the feeling that the world is working for me, that I’m not working for it.
My American Dream isn’t planned out. It’s far from planned, if anything. I feel it’s a thing that will come with age as well.
As my life develops, my view of the dream may change, but for now I want to live a “you only live once” lifestyle and just have fun.
The quote made by artist Maya Lin in regards to the American Dream resonates with me greatly. As she put it, “To me, the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling.”
Choice is a major component in forming the American Dream. Yes, there are external obstacles that may cause your choices to fluctuate, but in the end it’s all choices we make that determine the outcome of the American Dream.
Of course, the outcome of these different choices are all based on what the American Dream is to the person making these choices, but ultimately, no matter what, choice has great influence.
For example, someone’s definition of the American Dream could be to one day live in a large Victorian style house with ten acres of land and a wife and kids. However, that dream could quickly become unattainable based on the decisions that person made throughout their life.
An example of this could be career choices. Let’s say this person decided to not go to college. That in itself instantly limits employment options as well as puts a limit on potential salaries this person could be earning.
The expected average salary of someone without a college degree is about $27,000, according to Indeed.com. This, mixed with the fact that the average price of a Victorian home is about $350,000 according to homeadvisor.com, the chances of this individual obtaining this dream is very limited.
To reiterate, the choices one makes and the effect they have on their American Dream varies from person to person, but all choices do play some role in that dream either becoming a reality, or that dream remaining simply a dream.
