Economic Mobility In The American Dream Essay

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The American Dream, the national promise of equal opportunity and the endless possibilities of economic mobility, has and is still deeply inculcated in American culture. However, there is less economic mobility in the United States than originally thought as proven by many studies of economists, and therefore refutes the basic ideas of the American Dream. Class, one of the major causes to the decrease in economic mobility, remains a sensitive subject in America. This sensitivity stems from popular culture ideals of not debating or discussing class as well as the many myths Americans and foreigners are trapped into believing. Variations in the American life-styles, a component of the ideas of class presented by Mantsios, is another factor to the reduction of economic mobility. This variation is mainly a result of the diversity in the United States and its heterogeneous society. Race, a social construct, is also a major source to economic mobility. Through the help of the media, society has shaped Americans into associating success and wealth with Caucasians, and failure and poverty with minorities. Another major cause to the decline in economic mobility is parental influence, the idea of a child following or straying away from their parent or guardian’s footsteps. Education, America’s token to success, also determines an individual’s economic mobility. In American culture, it is believed that by furthering or completing education automatically guarantees individuals endless opportunities to a job, increased income and upward mobility. In conclusion, class, race, parental influence and education are all interrelated factors to economic mobility. Keywords: Economic Mobility, American Dream, Class, Race, Parental Influence, and Educa... ... middle of paper ... ...ion, for instance, can send their children to public or private universities. Thus leaving children whose parents lack the monetary access to only attending community colleges or just completely putting a halt to their educational process. This lack of mobility for children who cannot further their education, according to Bernstein’s study (2003), “[puts] a lid on the intergenerational progress that has long been a mainstay of the American experience” (p. 95). Bernstein’s research indicates a flaw to the American Dream because it does not provide an equal opportunity for the children of the poor, and without education they cannot move upward in the economic spectrum. In conclusion, class, race, parental influence and education are all interrelated factors to economic mobility. Each of these contributes to an individual’s chance of achieving their American Dream.

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