Wage Inequality In America

1398 Words3 Pages

The American dream is often presented as an idealistic vision; a married couple with healthy kids, owning a home, and living successful, happy lives. Many Americans believe that the American dream is like a “dream” , however, that is not necessarily true. The American dream is not about living in a home with a white picket fence that is surrounded by a perfect world. The American dream is being financially stable, having equal opportunities for all Americans, and achieving success by taking initiative for new and open possibilities. This definition is the true meaning of what the American dream is today, which is why it is dead. The American dream is no longer attainable; Americans are worried about not having enough money to provide for their …show more content…

Because of America’s failing economy, many Americans no longer believe that they will ever be financially secure, therefore, not be able to provide for their families. One of the biggest things that come in the way of being financially secure is the problem of wage inequality. Around the nation all workers are paid different salaries, and this, essentially, causes a wage inequality gap, specifically between the upper and middle classes. “Stagnant wages and unsteady employment have helped create income and wealth inequality gaps that are now approaching levels this country has not seen in almost a century. Because the richest Americans are receiving a disproportionate share of income and wealth in the U.S.” (Raw Story). Wage inequality is becoming more of a problem as people start to realize the tremendous gap between what each American worker is being paid. As more Americans begin to take notice to this, they are more aware of what outcome it will have on them and their family. The outcome is that, if someone is being paid more than another worker, they are more likely to not be as financially stable as the worker being paid more. However, to be receiving a salary and being able to be financially secure, an American must have a stable job. A huge reason for American families not being able to be …show more content…

Many Americans have lived and continue to live the American dream. Americans work hard every day to accomplish a variety goals they have set throughout their lifetime. One such American is Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey was not raised in a household with life advantages, yet she still managed to become the one of the world’s first African-American woman billionaire. Growing up, Winfrey’s life was difficult; she was an illegitimate child, she lived at her mother’s house, where she was continually sexually harassed, and she lived with her father for some time, who was hardworking and strict. She would go back and forth from both parents house, until she got pregnant and unfortunately lost the baby. As she began to grow up, her life became more stable and she began to be praised for her hard work. She became vice president of her school and was voiced on radio show broadcasts, where one day she would work. Soon after, Winfrey started her own talk show, “Her show was syndicated throughout the world and she went on to set up her own production company, the Harpo Entertainment Group, to make The Oprah Winfrey Show. By 2003, she was ranked among the 100 richest people in the world and had become the first African-American billionaire. By this time, Oprah had also started O Magazine, which further promoted her message of self-reliance and surviving.” (Best You

Open Document