by Andy Lee
I Was Thinking About… The Myth of the American Dream
For generations, the American Dream has been a promise: If you work hard, play by the rules, and never give up, you’ll find success. A good job, a home of your own, a comfortable life.
But is that dream still real? Or has it become just that—a myth?
For some, the American Dream is alive and well. For many others, it feels further out of reach than ever before. Wages haven’t kept up with inflation, homeownership is slipping away, and the cost of basic necessities—healthcare, education, housing—keeps rising. Meanwhile, the rules of the game seem different for different people.
So, who is the American Dream really for?
Then vs. Now: How the Dream Changed
1. Economic Mobility Isn’t What It Used to Be
There was a time when hard work alone could lift someone from poverty to prosperity. Today, that ladder is harder to climb. The gap between the wealthy and the working class has grown, and many Americans find themselves working just as hard—but never getting ahead.
2. The Cost of Success
Higher education was once the key to a better life. Now, it comes with crushing debt. Buying a home used to be a milestone for the middle class. Now, it’s increasingly out of reach. Even basic healthcare feels like a luxury. Success hasn’t just become harder—it’s become more expensive.
3. The Rules Aren’t the Same for Everyone
Not everyone starts from the same place. Race, gender, and socioeconomic background all impact access to opportunities. Some doors open more easily for some than for others. Yet, we continue to tell the same one-size-fits-all story, ignoring the realities that make achieving the American Dream far easier for some than for others.
So, Is the Dream Dead?
Not necessarily. But it has changed. Hard work alone isn’t always enough anymore. And if we want the American Dream to mean something again, we have to acknowledge the barriers that exist—and do something about them.
Because a dream that only works for some… isn’t really a dream at all.
“The American Dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American Dream is that every man must be free to become whatever God intends he should become.”
— Ronald Reagan
I was thinking about... 