What Does the American Dream Mean to You?July 12, 2013, 5:09 pm ET by Nathan Tobey
If you’re willing to work hard, you can be successful and build a good life for you and your family. That’s what millions of Americans have believed for generations. But is it still true?
Our film Two American Families chronicles the Stanleys and the Neumans of Milwaukee as they struggle for two decades to make ends meet — only to fall further behind. It’s a familiar story to so many Americans over the past two decades.
What’s happening to the American Dream?
FRONTLINE teamed up with Moyers & Company to ask our online community what the American Dream means today, and how it’s changed.
Some of you told us that the American Dream remains a beacon of hope, but many more told us they believe that the dream is dead.
Then there are those of you somewhere in the middle, who believe the dream is still alive — but needs a lot of work.
What do you think? And what’s your story of getting by in the new American economy?
Here are some thoughts that caught our attention. And be sure to read a special note on the reaction to Two American Families from filmmaker Tom Casciato.
The American Dream Has Become Just Getting By:
Nancy Fellenz The American Dream used to be a home in the suburbs, a good job, raising your family. Now we have been relegated to survival mode.
Wednesday at 1:53am
Chris Murray If I can make to the end of my life without having to live out of a shopping cart, I'll call it a success. I'm honestly not joking and I have a law degree.
Tuesday at 7:49pm via mobile
Chuck Baginksi The American dream is to someday get a job that pays enough to pay off your student loans before you die.
Tuesday at 7:20pm via mobile
John Manager To me, there isn't much of one. After three years out of work, I'm just focused on survival. Got no time or money for dreams.
Tuesday at 6:51pm via mobile
Steve Vogt The American Dream now means to simply have a job and to be out of debt. Simple as that.
Tuesday at 6:45pm
Jan Smith I think at one time the American dream meant having a place to call your own, get a house paid for, have a job you liked, transportation, take a vacation now and then. Those things didn't seem so out of reach. Now it's about survival. I worry constantly the car will break down or anything at all will go wrong to prevent me paying the bills. And many people worry if they will eat or have a roof over their head at all. The American dream has been stolen.
Tuesday at 6:36pm
This is similar to what we did in class earlier this year. Our class was asked by Ms.Christians what we think the American Dream is now. These people were interviewed were also asked this question and they were to give their own opinions on how the American Dream is now. They answered that now a days people are just barely getting by striving to meet their personal goals and the goals society placed for them. And how the basic needs that it used to be like getting a house to support your family isn’t enough anymore.
I agree with this because this new American Dream that we have now the people of America can not keep up with society and their goals because it always changes, gets bigger and bigger and we strive for only the extreme. Being able to have all the latest things and not caring about the fundamentals anymore. It’s tragic because it leaves the Americans drowning and debt and the depression on not fitting the standards society has put out for them.
If you’re willing to work hard, you can be successful and build a good life for you and your family. That’s what millions of Americans have believed for generations. But is it still true?
Our film Two American Families chronicles the Stanleys and the Neumans of Milwaukee as they struggle for two decades to make ends meet — only to fall further behind. It’s a familiar story to so many Americans over the past two decades.
What’s happening to the American Dream?
FRONTLINE teamed up with Moyers & Company to ask our online community what the American Dream means today, and how it’s changed.
Some of you told us that the American Dream remains a beacon of hope, but many more told us they believe that the dream is dead.
Then there are those of you somewhere in the middle, who believe the dream is still alive — but needs a lot of work.
What do you think? And what’s your story of getting by in the new American economy?
Here are some thoughts that caught our attention. And be sure to read a special note on the reaction to Two American Families from filmmaker Tom Casciato.
The American Dream Has Become Just Getting By:
Nancy Fellenz The American Dream used to be a home in the suburbs, a good job, raising your family. Now we have been relegated to survival mode.
Wednesday at 1:53am
Chris Murray If I can make to the end of my life without having to live out of a shopping cart, I'll call it a success. I'm honestly not joking and I have a law degree.
Tuesday at 7:49pm via mobile
Chuck Baginksi The American dream is to someday get a job that pays enough to pay off your student loans before you die.
Tuesday at 7:20pm via mobile
John Manager To me, there isn't much of one. After three years out of work, I'm just focused on survival. Got no time or money for dreams.
Tuesday at 6:51pm via mobile
Steve Vogt The American Dream now means to simply have a job and to be out of debt. Simple as that.
Tuesday at 6:45pm
Jan Smith I think at one time the American dream meant having a place to call your own, get a house paid for, have a job you liked, transportation, take a vacation now and then. Those things didn't seem so out of reach. Now it's about survival. I worry constantly the car will break down or anything at all will go wrong to prevent me paying the bills. And many people worry if they will eat or have a roof over their head at all. The American dream has been stolen.
Tuesday at 6:36pm
This is similar to what we did in class earlier this year. Our class was asked by Ms.Christians what we think the American Dream is now. These people were interviewed were also asked this question and they were to give their own opinions on how the American Dream is now. They answered that now a days people are just barely getting by striving to meet their personal goals and the goals society placed for them. And how the basic needs that it used to be like getting a house to support your family isn’t enough anymore.
I agree with this because this new American Dream that we have now the people of America can not keep up with society and their goals because it always changes, gets bigger and bigger and we strive for only the extreme. Being able to have all the latest things and not caring about the fundamentals anymore. It’s tragic because it leaves the Americans drowning and debt and the depression on not fitting the standards society has put out for them.