Recently, many writers and social critics have declared the American Dream dead, but journalist Keli Goff goes a step further and says “good riddance.” She explains her position in a July 2014 article in political journal The Daily Beast.
Read it here: Goff, “The American Dream is dead, and good riddance”
- The assertion in Goff’s title, which is repeated in the second paragraph, is a compelling and inflammatory hook for her article, but it doesn’t actually fit the argument she ends up making. What is that argument?
- Conventional definitions of the American Dream vary, but economic prosperity is the key element, and that prosperity is measured largely by ownership of big-ticket items such as real estate and automobiles. What criteria does Goff suggest as more appropriate for today’s realities? How persuasive is her argument? Why?
- Read (or re-read) Bob Herbert’s essay in Chapter 18 of your text. On what points might Herbert agree with Goff? On what points might he disagree? Explain your reasoning and point to examples in each essay to support your thinking.
- Take up the challenge that Goff presents in her conclusion: reflect on what the American Dream means for you, personally, and for the U.S. as a whole. Write an essay in which you present your vision for a 21st century American Dream; use Goff or any of the sources she cites as your They Say.
They Say I Blog 
A lot of people seem to think of the American Dream as something individuals achieve, as if it is some sort of goal and those who reach said goal have reached the American Dream. The definition of the American Dream may vary depending on the point of view, but the original phrase mentioned America as a whole, not American individuals. As Keli Goff mentioned in her article, “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance”, the term “American Dream” was made popular in 1931 by the book The Epic of America by James Truslow where he defined the American Dream as everyone in America being richer and fuller, with equal opportunity according to ability or achievement. From it’s source, the American Dream does not mention a specific goal like a house and a white picket fence, but rather America getting richer as a whole and having equal opportunity for everyone. But even its original definition seems to be inapplicable to current America. America as the whole is not getting richer, rather the top one percent seems to be the only ones growing richer in America. The gap between the wealthy and the non-wealthy is enormous and continues to grow. Equal opportunity doesn’t seem to be faring to well either. The ever increasing amount of the poor and better education being only available to those with money proves that equal opportunity isn’t a part of the current America either. So in a sense, the American Dream truly is dead. The original meaning has been lost to most and even if it wasn’t, it is no longer applicable to modern America.
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Keli Goff states the “American Dream” is dead, and I agree. Traditionally the American Dream has milestones which are reachable with steady income. I don’t believe people today measure success by those same milestones. As Keli Goff pointed out, the demand for housing in cities like New York is so high that owning a house is nearly impossible. That doesnt mean its impossible to successfully live in New York, the dense population doesnt allow for a housing marketplace to thrive.
I view the “American Dream” as the ability to go as far as my abilities allow without being hindered, and I believe America still promotes that with its mixed marketplace. The American government puts price floors and ceilings on inelastic goods so its people wont be taken advantage of, but it still maintains a market driven by competition, so anyone can succeed.
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If you judged Goff’s title without reading her article you would think that she is glad the American dream is dead. In reality, she talks about how things have changed since the idea of the American dream came about. Not every individual in America wants what is considered the American dream: owning a home in the suburbs, two kids, and a nice car. Some do not even want any of that. Goff says that these days there’s plenty of people living alone and living what they consider to be their dreams. Child-free adults are even mentioned. Usually kids are a huge thing in the American dream. She is glad that people are choosing how to live their live based on what they feel is good for them instead of following what society has pressured them into doing.
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In Keli Goff’s article, “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance,” Goff discusses how the original American Dream is no longer attainable or even sought after. One of her supporting factors is the current estimated cost of the American Dream and how only one out of eight American families can afford it. With these statistics it is hard to argue that cost has placed the traditional goal out of reach for many people.
Secondly, Goff explains that not only is the American Dream unaffordable, but undesirable to many Americans. She backs this up by using examples such as childless adults and New Yorkers arguing a reasonable rent is more advantageous than home ownership. While these examples help support her claim, I do not think she is seeing the whole picture. According to the CDC birthrates among women ages 35-39 are on the rise. Maybe the childless adults are simply waiting to have children until they complete their education, find a stable job, or have a secure home. Furthermore, a happy dwelling is part of the American Dream equation whether it be a house in the suburbs or a quaint city condo. Perhaps people today are still aiming to achieve the American Dream, but differ in their definition of what it is and how to achieve it.
Next, Goff also describes that citizens are trying to accomplish the American dream because they have been pressured throughout life to do so. It is hard not to agree with her because I have been told for years that elements of the American Dream, like a well-paying job and a nice house, are essential to a happy life. Currently I prefer apartment or condo living and constantly get grief from my friends asking why I do not want to live in a house (cleaning a 2500 square foot home does not sound appealing to me). Peer pressure will always be around to influence the way we live, however if we focus on reaching our goals instead of what society is preaching to us maybe we can find true happiness.
Concluding her article, Goff states that a 2011 study discovered “a sense of meaning” is the most significant element according to Millennials when asked about their definition of the American Dream. This encourages a feeling of hope because people are focusing more on quality of life rather than quantity. Imaginably Americans are shifting focus from buying happiness to finding it within themselves. What a great concept that is.
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Economic prosperity is key element to any goal specially The American Dream. As the future advances humans have created a new meaning behind the american dream but still within there financial status.According to Goff “when we talk about the American Dream, we often find ourselves talking about marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, stuff, more stuff, and even more stuff (to fill up the house you owe the mortgage debt on)”. I can 100% agree with Goff I think priorities have changed because our economy has change. We can not afford education or home ownership without having debt; thats the step we have to take if we want to achieve the american dream. I think Goff argument is more of a reality; it’s what’s going on now. Goff argument is persuasive because the american dream has change its develop to where people dont want to get married to young, they want to travel see the world before settling down. Its persuasive because the reader can relate, at least I know I did.
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Her argument is saying that for people who want the american dream it will cost them money. Not like $100 but $130,000 annually. Geoff suggests that now the american is that each man and women will be able to have what they want in their ability to do so, and have everyone recognize it. Her argument is persuasive enough for it to be right to me. We all cant have the best american dream without working. In the end it is not about the big house you have or all the nice cars. Its about what you have in the end to make you happy and for others to see that you are happy with what you have. The “american dream” cant really die in the end. Its all about how you live and your life. To me if you are living a decent life and are happy then that is the american dream. You don’t need fancy things to be happy or to show off to people. Today many people think that and its not true. All you need are the things to make yourself happy.
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The American dream has many different definitions, but during this article, Goff painted the American dream as having a notable home, a good car, educating 2 children, a marriage, and an income of 130,000 dollars. Goff argued that the American dream is dead meaning, the American dream is no longer affordable. She mentioned how the growth of one person living in by themselves is increasing rapidly. In her opinion, she felt that you can have and do more with living by yourself which happens to be true in most cases. I personally agree with what Goff is arguing in terms of the American dream is dead, most families in American do not make 130,000 dollars. She also mentioned that the American dream is more about owning materialistic things, which I also agree with. The original American dream was about everyone having the equal opportunity for becoming successful. I think America went wrong by having the wrong idea on what being successful really means. Success doesn’t always mean having the biggest, or the most luxurious car. For some people success means achieving all of your short-term goals. I feel as if people fabricate the true meaning behind being successful and what the American dream is. Everyone has their own person definition of what these two words mean.
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According to Goff the argument is lead towards what the American Dream is made up to be, and what it actually is. What is made up to be is a nice family with two kids, living in a big house with a white picket fence. But actually according to recent statistics, “Nearly a third of households now consist of one person, and the number of Americans living alone has doubled in the last fifty years” (Goff). The argument made here is that many people cannot live up to the American Dream, but now most single people have their own view of it.
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Keli Goff says, The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance. Adults living alone are currently one of the fastest growing demographics in America. Nearly a third of households now consist of one person, and the number of Americans living alone has doubled in the last fifty years.
Kurt Navarro says In 1931 the American dream was to own a home, have kids and send them through college, to get married, and to own a decent car. Goff believes that this old vision of the dream is all but gone.
Spears says, “I think that the “becoming happy in your own way” has taken over America, and it is becoming more common to hear about different experiences and dreams that fifty years ago.” Of course, many will probably disagree on the grounds that many people today still base their lives off of what the American dream was back in the 1950’s.
I say that I agree with what spears says because now it does seem like the American dream has become more of what you make it and not of what everyone else does. In addition I’d like to say that the American dream is much less complex then it once was because in this generation you don’t even technically have to be married to live the American dream.
But who really cares ? Who besides me and a handful of recent researchers has a stake in these claims ? At the very least, the researchers who formerly believed that the American dream was to own a house, have kids in college, have a job, own a car and get married should care.
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“A sizable number of Americans can no longer afford the American Dream. Inspired by the new book, Chasing the American Dream, USA Today calculated that subsidizing the American Dream costs approximately $130,000 annually, meaning the dream is only within reach for about 1 in 8 American families.” In the article “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” written by Keli Goff, she states that the dream is dead. She states that the American dream is only within reach of 1 in 8 American families. “When historian James Truslow Adams coined the phrase “The American Dream” in 1931, he called it “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” I agree with James Truslow when he said this back in 1931. Everyone deserves a life where they can start over if they want, to live a richer and fuller life.
On the topic about how the American Dream has to change, I disagree with Megan, she states how that the American dream needs to change to be able to achieve it. The dream doesn’t need to change one bit. America will figure out how to change the economy and make it as affordable as possible. What everyone doesn’t realize is that everyone needs a job. Without a job, the American dream cannot be achieved.
So who cares? Every high school and college graduate cares about this topic. It is hard for them to get good jobs to support themselves and even their families when they have one. There is not enough jobs for all the high school and college graduates to find that make this type of money.
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In the essay The American dream is dead, and good riddance the author Keli Goff says that the American dream is dead after making an assumption about all Americans and our dreams. I personally don’t think the American dream is dead, I think it is transforming.
Goff says that the American dream costs $130,000 annually, but she fails to say where that number comes from. That number seems to be an old estimate when people were expected to be living in a cookie cutter neighborhood with green grass and a white fence. That used to be the American dream before many Americans realized that the American dream is exactly what they want it to be. She even includes a quote from the man who coined the phrase, historian James Truslow Adams. He said that the American dream is “a dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone.” That does not include the ownership of a fancy sports car or a big house. He goes on to say just that, “the dream is not just of high wages, but a dream of social order where every man and every woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, regardless of fortuitous circumstances.” Meaning that the dream is to makes one’s own life better and fuller, making it the way they want. Many people will now say that a lot of Americans are greedy and they want that sports car and expensive house, I’m here to argue that they just want to be happy and don’t need those things.
Without realizing it, when someone claims they want a big house and a nice car, that is what is going to bring them happiness. Americans have a list of wants and desires for their life that are often unattainable, sure, it’s nice to dream of having a million dollar car, but when a person is working just to attain that, I don’t think that is the new American dream, it is the remnants of the old dream. I feel that so many people are stuck on the idea that expensive items means happiness. Those people who think that have most likely not found something that truly makes them happy leading them to the new American dream. The new American dream becomes a reality when you can confidently say “I am happy with what I have and what I do, if I get a million dollar car, that would be nice, if not, I am okay without it.” The American dream has transformed from being expected to live in a community where every house is the same and everyone is nice to each other to doing what makes you happy without having anyone tell out otherwise. If that means not owning a home and living on the road to travel, that is a dream. Goff says that the new American dream includes having children and getting married. I don’t support that claim because I know many people who do not want to have children for many different reasons. Some are monetary and some are personal. The dream of having two children is something in the past along with the American dream. The American dream is a general example of the dream of someone living in America has, that means everyone in America having the same dream. As I said previously, the American dream is transforming and it is now becoming “The American’s dream” meaning each and every American having their own dream. People who are striving for that million dollar car are the ones that should be away of the true meaning behind the American dream. Those people just want the car because it is the only thing that they can think of that will make them happy because society will see that they have an expensive car meaning that they have truly achieved the American dream. The new American dream needs to be reinforced and re defined for all of America because people are too worried about what society thinks of their items when in fact they should be worried about what is making them happy.
In sum, the idea of the American dream was never to have expensive things, it was to have the opportunity to better your life and be happy. Americans took advantage of the economic boom in the 1920’s by purchasing fancy cars and fancy houses which made many people believe that Adams phrase “The american dream” meant having expensive items when in reality it just meant having the opportunity to be content. I believe that the assumption of having the expensive items to achieve the dream is being erased and a new era of the American dream is rushing in and many Americans are now realizing that they don’t need million dollar houses to be happy.
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In Keli Goff’s title, “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance”, she implies that the American Dream is completely gone. Goff claims that “not everyone is meant to be a parent, and some people are not cut out for marriage, but that has not stopped marriage and parenthood from being central to the most common contemporary definition of the American Dream” (Goff 2). What she is saying here is that although not everyone is meant to be married or be a parent, most people trick themselves into thinking that’s what they want, just because that’s what most Americans think they want. I agree with her argument; there is a common stigma that the only way to be a happy and successful adult is to have educated children and to be in a long and happy marriage. I do not agree with this idea though. I think that people should not limit themselves to settling down and raising kids just because that’s what everyone else is doing. With this idea, Goff’s idea that the American Dream is gone is not necessarily true just yet. There are still people out there that really believe that even though they don’t want kids, they still have to have them. However, by the end of Goff’s article, her point that the American Dream being gone is not necessarily what she is suggesting. Goff states that “A 2011 study found a “sense of meaning” to be the most important factor for Millennials in defining a successful career” (Goff 2). What she’s saying is not that the American Dream is gone, but rather that it has shifted. I agree with Goff; today, most people are going to college and graduating with degrees in hopes of living a successful life, rather than just working at a mediocre restaurant to support their wives and kids. Today, people are looking to live a meaningful life that is relevant to their own interests, whether that is having kids and being married or not. The new American Dream is important because times are changing. We are no longer looking for a creating a big family to live in our mediocre houses in small neighborhoods. In today’s world, we are looking more to be successful and value our achievements. I’m glad the American Dream has shifted its meaning, because I feel like more people will be less afraid to be different than those around them.
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The assertion in Goff’s title, which is repeated in the second paragraph, is a compelling and inflammatory hook for her article, but it doesn’t actually fit the argument she ends up making. What is that argument?
In Keli Groff’s article, “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” she argues that the American dream no longer exists. Her argument is that over the decades the American dream seized to exist as American families began to change their views on the American dream. Groff’s argument is not fitting of her title because she ends up talking about how the American dream has altered rather not is dead and is no longer inexistence. According to Groff, “when we talk about the American dream, we often find ourselves talking about marriage, children…more stuff” (Groff). In other words, Groff is saying that when we think of the American dream today, we think of the perfect house and nice cars, more of the white picket fence vision. Groff argues that the American dream is altering into its old definition of, “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone” (Adams). In other words, Groff is expressing her feelings about how the American dream has rather altered its definition rather than ultimately dying out and leaving no more American dream. I agree with Groff in saying that the American dream is altered its definition in the last years. From my personal experience, the American dream nowadays revolves around happiness for all rather than the big house and nice cars mind set. The American dream is important because everyone wants to achieve complete happiness and if the American dream died or no longer existed, complete happiness would not be reached. In conclusion Groff’s arguments do not fit her title because she is arguing how the american dream has altered rather then died.
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In “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” by Keli Goff, she argues that the American Dream being washed away is actually a good thing. Goff states, “When we talk about the American Dream, we often find ourselves talking about marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, and more stuff” (Goff 2). In other words, Goff believes that all we ever say about the American Dream has to do with family, home life and money. I agree with Goff because personally I think there is a lot more to the American dream then just living in a fancy house and having all the money in the world. For today’s realities, Goff suggest that being married will always be part of the American Dream. Goff herself writes, “Despite the fact that anyone with common sense will tell you not everyone is meant to be a parent, and that some people are not cut out for marriage, that has not stopped marriage and parenthood from being central to the most common contemporary definition of the American Dream” (Goff 2). Goff’s point is that marriage will always be one of the top ideas when you ask someone what their definition of the American Dream is. I agree with Goff, because I do feel like people think that they have to be married and that they have to start a family since that’s what everyone else seems to be doing. I also think when children are younger and they learn about the American Dream family is always one of the top suggestions. Another point made in this article was said by an historian named James Truslow Adams. According to Adams, he called the American Dream, that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according tp ability and achievement” (Goff 2) The essence of Truslow’s argument is that the American Dream is all about what you want to achieve personally. It’s not merely about having the high performance cars or having high wages. It’s a dream about what you personally are capable of achieving and are happy with where you end up. I agree with Truslow, because in my opinion that’s what I considered the definition of the American Dream. Where I end up and what I accomplish in life will make me happy that I got to there and to me that’s all that matters. I think Goff persuaded people pretty well, because she added in a quote from an historian and back her view up with facts from magazine articles. Goff’s argument is important, because people need to understand what the American Dream is really about and if since no one really can it makes it seem like the American Dream is dead. If she persuaded others about the true meaning of the American Dream and her viewpoint then we would all be on the same page.
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In the article “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance”, one can assume that author Keli Goff will be discussing how there is no longer such a thing as the American Dream. She goes on to repeat the hook, but this isn’t her argument. In fact, her argument is that the American Dream is still alive it just has changed for many people.
In Goff’s view,”…not everyone is meant to be a parent, and that some people are not cut out for marriage…” Goff’s point is that even though the American Dream is known for having the whole package: the marriage, the kids, the dog, and the white fence this isn’t meant for everyone to have. Goff’s theory of everyone not being cut out for marriage or kids is extremely useful because it sheds light on the difficult problem of people thinking that you have to be married and have kids in order to be happy of have a fulfilled life. My point here (that the American Dream does not mean having kids or being married) should interest those who believe the American Dream is still alive. Beyond this limited audience, however, my point should speak to anyone who cares about the larger issue of the American Dream as a whole.
Goff used quotes from historian James Truslow Adams to support her argument about the American Dream. Adams agrees when he writes, “It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” In other words, Adams believes that just because not everyone has the same American Dream doesn’t mean that the American Dream should be considered dead. The American Dream should be what makes that particular person happy and what they feel is life fulfilling. I agree that the American Dream should be whatever makes the person happy, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe that the American Dream needs to be summed down to one specific definition.
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Everyone has different realities for the American Dream in this day and age. Keli Goff suggests, “In today’s age the American Dream costs approximately $130,000 annually, meaning the dream is only within reach for about 1 in 8 American families.” What Goff is explaining here is that to reach the American Goal money is the only way some Americans see it. It’s not about how happy or joyful you are but instead it’s how successful and wealthy you are. I agree with Goff’s claim because without the money most people cannot enjoy life and feel comfortable living. Worrying about whether or not you will eat tomorrow can’t be a good feeling and won’t be considered the American Dream.
Today’s reality suggest that the American Dream is very hard to achieve and live by. USA Today explained, “Certain key benchmarks for achieving the American Dream, notably home ownership, educating two children, as well as owning a good car. But many of our American Dream doesn’t involve all of the above or any of the above.” What USA today’s poll suggests is that Americans can’t afford to live the American Dream. People try to find the good in life with less incomes then what the American dream suggests. I agree that in fact making 6 figures every year is obtainable by all Americans and just won’t happen. We need to embrace what we have and strive for our own American Dream as we want to view it. Ultimately what is at stake here is the “American Dream” this dream matters to every American.
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The criteria that Goff suggest as more appropriate for today’s realities rather than the usual economic prosperities is that she agrees with the USA Today when they talk about how if Americans were not raised up on wanting to buy a big house than their American dream would be different than the usual norms that people think of when talking about their American dream. According to Groff, “When we talk about the American Dream, we often find ourselves talking about marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, stuff, more stuff, and even more stuff” (Goff 2). In other words, Goff believes that people are so focused on many different things that we sometimes don’t think of the more important personal things that we can look at when thinking about the American Dream. Also in the article, Goff states “A 2011 study found “a sense of meaning” to be the most important factor for Millennials in defining a successful career, even though “meaning” is not the kind of thing that always helps with a mortgage” (Goff 2). Goff point is that people should start looking deeper in finding the real meaning of their American Dream even though it may not help you financially, it’s still important because its more meaningful to you than following by the regular norms of the typical American Dream. I think Goff’s argument is very persuasive because she backs up her own thoughts off of different sources that she agrees with when defining what it truly means to go by a good American Dream.
Goff surely is right about people not fully engaging their American Dream on a more personal level than just going by the regular American Dream that everyone else goes by because she understands what ideas people need to take into perspective with their American Dream and how it’s important to not focus on just the main aspects of the American Dream.
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Many people, and myself would like to live the American Dream. Fancy car, big house, children, big backyards, etc. Although living the American Dream is one of the hardest things to do. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and yet, many still don’t reach it so in order to actually reach it, many have to modify their dream.
Keli Goff states, “The American Dream as we know it is dead, and good riddance.” What does she mean by this? Goff doesn’t really mean the dream is dead, but means the American Dream has changed greatly. “The American Dream costs approximately $130,000 annually, meaning the dream is only within reach for about 1 in 8 American families.” In other words, the dream is different from back then because many can’t afford this dream so they make their dreams reachable and a reality. Goff’s argument is that the dream has changed from “home ownership, educating two children, as well as owning a good car” to “Marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, stuff, more stuff, and even more stuff(to fill up the house you owe the mortgage debt on).” Although I concede Goff using the hook that she did in her article, I agree with her that the American Dream has changed because many had to change their views because they can’t afford the original dream. Ultimately, what is at stake here is how people will live their life. What I mean by this is since many can’t reach the original American Dream, it is a good idea to strive for a dream easier to reach then work their way to higher-difficult dreams.
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The American Dream has different perspectives, interpretations, and definitions from each American citizen. Some Americans paint pictures of having the perfect family, a good paying job, a white picket fence, and the whole nine yards of cliché things like that. Others see the American Dream as an equal opportunity to achieve success by hard work, determination, and prosperity allowing them to do as well as they possibly can whether they are living in poverty or a little bit above it. No matter what someone’s interpretation of what the American Dream is to them, the American Dream is found in every citizen in America, whether if it is evident or not. In Keli Goff’s article “The American Dream Is Dead and Good Riddance” she presents a couple of different ways on how the American Dream has altered along with society.
According to Goff, “New analysis confirmed what many already assumed to be true: a sizable number of Americans can no longer afford the American Dream” (Goff 1). Goff’s point is that American Dream has been lost and forgotten meaning Americans are remained to pay off their debts for the rest of their lives instead of actually enjoying living the American Dream. I agree that the American Dream may seem like the world on the silver platter, but it has some negative effects. The negative side of the American Dream occurs when people pursue success at any cost, which can lead up to demolition of the outlook and the dream. For an example, have you ever wondered why some people are forced out onto the streets and are homeless? Maybe they tried to pursue their vision of the American Dream but failed because it was too expensive for them. Most people want to travel to big cities such as New York and desire to make a living out there, but they fail to realize that New York is one of the many expensive places to live even if you are married with children.
Goff herself writes, “According to a piece in Fortune, this demographic wields notable spending power. Many of them can splurge regularly on things that traditional families sometimes cannot, such as theatre tickets” (Goff 2). In other words, Goff believes that when you have a family it limits you to have spending money to purchase things you wish you could buy. You have to set priorities that taking care of your family comes first, then paying the bills, and other important things that a normal adult would do, instead of buying things you would not need. I agree that to the altering of the American Dream is that people are living less of a “family life” and “more of a single household” type of living lifestyle. Instead of getting married and having children, more people are living what she calls the “singleton” lifestyle which changes one of the most important factors of the American Dream: family. Families are important, but it should not define the whole idea of the American Dream for some Americans.
Goff’s matters/ is important because there are several variations of the American Dream. Goff viewed the outlook on a cliché American Dream: a white picket fence, kids, and a loving wife/ husband. I interpret the American Dream to be much more than that. I believe that the American Dream should be something that you have your heart set out on and you desire to achieve it.
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In the article The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” Goff states that “Today cited certain key benchmarks for achieving the American Dream, notably home ownership, educating two children, as well as well as owning a good car. But for many of us our American Dream doesn’t involve all of the above, and in some cases any of the above.” Basically saying that you would think owning a car or having kids is the American dream but its not because she states “Adults living alone are currently one of the fastest growing demographics in households now consists of on person, and that number of Americans living alone has doubled in the last fifty years….It is possible some of these people are killing time until they transition into a more traditional definition of the American Dream” Basically saying that more realistically the American dream is just begin able to make it through until they get married or have kids. I agree that the American Dream is more of just making it through because realistically people are trying to just make it through with what they have until they by a house they can afford because Goff states ” American dream can not be complete without buying a house specifically a house they could not afford. This is a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe this dream is okay when they should try to be better then what is already expected to happen. The American Dream is important, its a goal you make for yourself and if its just given up on how will it ever be completed.
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In the article “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” by Author Keli Goff
Goff’s argument explains that the “American dream” has been “lost”, In Goff’s view “we often find ourselves talking about marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, stuff, and more stuff”. Goff’s point is that instead of discussing your life goals or your dreams when speaking on the topic “The American Dream” we tend to start talking about things we lack especially things in which we want but don’t have because of the lack of effort. Goff agrees with historian James Truslow in which he states “a dream of social order in which each man and each women shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”. In other words Goff believes that no matter your circumstance or, where you come from, and where you may live Your “American dream” is always attainable. I think Goff is mistaken because she overlooks one of the hardest parts of the “American dream” there is to overcome, that being equality. Not everyone is treated equal leaving the American dream even harder to attain. My discussion of the “American dream” is in fact addressing the larger matter of the attainability of your own dreams. Society and economy, make it hard for many people to achieve and work to their highest ability. In many cases race can take a huge part in “the American dream” as well as your appearance, and your gender.
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The assertion in Goff’s title, which is repeated in the second paragraph, is a compelling and inflammatory hook for her article, but it doesn’t actually fit the argument she ends up making. What is that argument
1. The argument that Goff is talking about is that the American Dream is still alive it is just changed, the meaning of the American Dream is not what it used to be. Goff states,”But over the years this definition of the American dream has been lost. instead, when we talk about the American dream we often find outlives talking about marriage, children, mortgage,student debt, etc.). What Goff is stating is that the American dream is not what is used to be anymore, the dream has changed. she says that what the American dream used to be was wealth. like she says, “it is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature they are capable of.”
I agree with Goff because I also think that the American dream is no longer to be super rich and have awesome cars but to now live life with family, have a great job that is staple and to own a house that is average size to raise a family and be happy.
Why does this claim matter? well it should matter to everyone that lives in America because we are the ones who are trying to live the American dream and have a great life. the American dream for everyone should be to have a great education and get a job and then start a family if you want but most importantly be staple with your life and not have to worry about the bills and mortgage this month.
Keith White
intro to comp
Ms. Schcheimaker
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Jill DiOrio
Question #1
In “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” Keli Goff argues that the idea of The American Dream is essentially not attainable for most Americans. Keli herself writes, “USA Today calculated that subsidizing the American Dream costs approximately $130,000 annually, meaning the dream is only within reach for about 1 in 8 American families” (Goff). In other words Goff is saying that the idea of the American Dream is so expensive in today’s economy that most Americans are not able to afford it. Making the American Dream dead, and good riddance. According to Goff, “Today cited key benchmarks for achieving the American Dream, notably home ownership, educating two children, as well as owning a good car. But for many of us our American Dream doesn’t involve all of the above, and in some cases any of the above” (Goff). Keli Goff’s point is that when people think of the American Dream or hear about it in movies it all tends to be the same scene. When in reality everyone has a different way of creating and visualizing their own American Dream. Everyone in this world has different circumstances and different goals that they want to reach, so why put a price tag on the label of the American Dream? I agree with Keli that many people cannot make their American Dream come true due to financial reasons and I also agree that in reality the American Dream is changing. It will change every day for a different person wanting to pursue different goals. Although not everyone even thinks of the American Dream and it may be a concern to only a small group of people, it should concern anyone who cares about setting their mind to something and achieving the goals and the lifestyle they want to live.
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According to Goff the argument in “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” is lead towards what the American Dream is made up to be, and what it actually is. What is made up to be is a nice family with two kids, living in a big house with a white picket fence. But actually according to recent statistics, “Nearly a third of households now consist of one person, and the number of Americans living alone has doubled in the last fifty years” (Goff). The argument made here is that many people cannot live up to the American Dream, but now most single people have their own view of it. Though I concede that the American Dream is supposed to be a perfect family, with two jobs, and a nice car, I still insist that people should have their dream the way they want it. Not everyone is able to get a well paying job to take care of a family and still have a nice car, with a big house. I believe that people should have their separate American Dream, and live up to how they can perceive it. Goff’s points is that, “Despite the fact that anyone with common sense will tell you not everyone is meant to be a parent, and that some people are not cut out for marriage, that has not stopped marriage and parenthood from being central to the most common contemporary definition of the American Dream” (Goff). Goff is surely right that not having all the qualities has not stopped people from having their American Dream because, as she may be aware, recent studies have shown that not everyone has the ideal American Dream lifestyle. Ultimately, what is at stake here is that many people are not able to live up to the original American Dream anymore. More people have been going off on their own trying to find their own American Dream, and live their life with their own style of life.
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In the article, “The American Dream is dead, and good riddance”, Goff’s argument is that over the years the American Dream has changed to fit today’s society. With that being said the American Dream consists of; mainly of expensive cars and house, and perhaps being married and having children. Goff states, “Today cited certain key benchmarks for achieving the American Dream, notably home ownership, educating two children, as well as owning a good car” (Goff 4). Basically Goff means that the American Dream is based off of having a family, a house, and a nice car. USA Today writes, “Home Ownership is central to the American Dream” (Goff 9). In other words, the American Dream does not always to have include children, a marriage, and a fancy car. I agree that the American Dream is made up for an expensive lifestyle, but on the other hand, you can make your own American Dream instead of following the traditional American Dream. My point here is that the American Dream is changing to fit today’s society and that everyone should not have to put themselves into debt just fit in with the people that can afford the American Dream.
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The title “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” does not go along with the argument made in this essay. The title is stating that the American dream is done, but in the essay Goff talks about it. the first sentence in the article states, ” It’s time to redefine what it means to be successful in America”. If she is redefining the American dream, then the title should not say, ” dead, and good riddance”. This is misleading going into the essay. The American dream seems to be based on materialistic things, not success. Success will bring you money, a house and other luxurious items, but that is not the American dream. There are many people who are successful who invest and save their money, not spend it on homes and cars and more. “USA Today calculated that subsidizing the American Dream costs approximately $130,000 annually, meaning the dream is only within reach for about 1 in 8 American families.” i disagree with this statement because again, this is focused on materialistic things, some peoples dream is to have a happy family and surviving with house and food, which six figures is not always needed to accomplish. This article is biased and mainly focuses on materials and money instead of what makes Americans happy. My claims matter because a lot of people in America are happy and do not fit these statistics, but may feel their American dream is fulfilled.
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In today’s world you don’t need to have to those big ticket items for example real-estate or a brand new expensive car. According Goff “It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages it’s merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable and be recognized by others what they are regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position” (Goff). Goff’s point is that you don’t need all these high end things to make your life lavish and wonderful. All you need is to be happy with what you have and live your life. Goff is surely right about the American dream and how it’s dead and gone because, as she may not be aware, recent studies have shown that the American dream is a lie and there is no such thing. Goff states “Marriage and parenthood from being central to the most common contemporary definition of the American (Goff). Basically Goff is saying that have a family having a family doesn’t allow you to have the most expensive things in the world, being with a family or having a family in general is the most important part.
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The American dream has an extremely wide definition with many different interpretations. According to Goff, “ when we find our selfs talking about the American Dream, we often find ourselves talking about marriage, children, mortgage debt, Student loan debt, stuff, more stuff, and even ore stuff.”(Keli Goff) Goff is correct that the ideas, beliefs and values have drastically changed over time. Goff’s extremely persuasive argument that the idea of the American Dream as people say in the 1930’s knew it is over. Golf’s view is that” For many of us our American Dream doesn’t involve and of the above( a home, educated two children, as well as owning a good car), and in some cases any of the above.” ( Keli Goff) Goff is wrong when she says for many of us this is not the case. In my own experience, I would have to say atl east in the town that I grew up in and live in, the majority of people follow the “ Typical American Dream values”. Ultimately what is at stake here is people loosing the traditional values that this country was built on.
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In “The American Dream is dead, and good riddance” by Keli Goff, the assertion in Goff’s title which becomes the hook for the article doesn’t fit the argument she ends up making. According to Goff, “Thankfully, the tide appears to be turning back in favor of Adams’ definition of the American Dream. A 2011 study found “a sense of meaning” to be the most important factor for Millennials in defining a successful career, even though “meaning: is not the kind of thing that always helps with mortgage. Perhaps reach for an increasing number of American Dream means for them personally, and maybe for our country as a whole in the 21st century.”(Goff) In other words, Goff believes that this Society developed this strict American Dream. This Dream that cost approximately $130,000 annually (USA Today) and only about 1 in 8 American Families were able to even get that American Dream. Goff elaborates that Americans today have made an American Dream for themselves and it is basically “a sense of meaning” that Americans are looking for instead of the typical American Dream with the white picket fence.
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The assertion in Goff’s title, which is repeated in the second paragraph, is a compelling and inflammatory hook for her article, but it doesn’t actually fit the argument she ends up making. What is that argument?
In the article “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” Keli Goff’s argument is that the American Dream that has become so famous over the United States is no longer an achievable goal. In other words it’s dead. According to Goff “A sizable number of Americans can no longer afford the American Dream”. The price of living in America has increased so much that the American Dream has become almost non existent because the average American can not afford it. Goff later explains “When historian James Truslow Adams defined the American Dream as a land of which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone. Not a dream of Motor cars and High wages”. The American dream is a dream where life is better for everyone spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It is not based off of fancy cars, or a high salary, its a place where you can be happy at all times, while still at peace. I agree that the American Dream is dying, a point that needs emphasizing is that the American Dream should not be about having cars or fancy houses with high salaries, the American Dream is being able to be at peace with yourself without those things, its able being able to have fun with what you have and not depending on materialistic things to make you happy. Ultimately, what is at stake here is our happiness, and love for ourselves, if you base happiness on cars, and high salaries then when those things get taken from you, you won’t have anything to make you happy and its going to be harder to find peace withing yourself.
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Goff sees the American Dream as James Truslow Adams saw it which is “A dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are.” he adds, “Opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” We must work hard for the American Dream, which what most people define as, lots of money, big house, fast cars, wife, and kids. Golf points to the idea that it would cost $130,000 annually for the American Dream and that the American Dream would be in reach for about only 1 and 8 families due to the highly expensive cost. In the article “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” by Keli Golf, she argues with the thought that the American dream is dying and that this is good. With the idea that the American Dream has been defined differently for some time now Golf states, “But over the years this definition of the American Dream has been lost. Instead, when we talk about the American Dream, we often find ourselves talking about marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt” She refers to the fact that The American dream has been defined differently than what she believes or than what it used to be which was, as I mentioned before, going back to James Truslow Adams statement, as he coined the phrase “The American Dream” in 1931, he called it “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”. I believe that the American Dream is far more than a profession and money as some may say.I believe that the American Dream goes far beyond just having money and providing for yourself and your family. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is an important way of defining what the American Dream really is. But we must break these words down. Life is having the opportunity to make a change for a good cause and to contribute to society in a positive way, liberty is to have the freedom that you want, happiness is to live your life in a way that you are satisfied, and not necessarily money because some can argue that money cant buy happiness. Sure being educated as well as having money is what most people desire, but to the idea of being satisfied with what you have, and if not, pursue what makes you happy in life is really the key. We must understand that depending on how your life is going you can argue that the American Dream is alive, dead, on hold back, or transforming. If you are happy with the way that your life is going, for example you are making lots of money, your job is stable, and you are affording and providing for your family, yes you may say that the American dream is very well alive and in your favor. But if not, for example, you are in debt, having trouble proving for your family, not being able to afford what you want, then it is understood that you argue by saying its dead.
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sballantyne
From “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” author Keli Goff, makes a clear point that she believes the current vision of the American Dream should be all but gone. Goff believes that when it comes to the topic of the American Dream, traditionally people tend to think of having a house, marriage, children, and a good car. She contends that we have been going along with the wrong vision of what the dream should be. Goff’s American Dream is similar to James Truslow Adams, they believe that “it is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” Furthermore Goff acknowledges that our current vision of the American Dream is unattainable because “the American Dream costs approximately $130,000 annually, meaning the dream is only within reach for about 1 in 8 American families.” While it is true that the costs to achieve the American Dream are expensive, it does not necessarily follow the point that the American dream is supposed to be about achieving true happiness. How can anyone dream of satisfaction when only 1 in 8 American families are truly successful? Overall, Goff voices that our current American Dream is gradually ceasing to exist and moving to what it originally was. I acknowledge with Goff that the modern American Dream is more about surrounding oneself with monetary possessions that hold little to no value. While money is unfortunately a necessity in life, we do not need to surround ourselves with it to find happiness. I agree with Mohammad Alam that in the end, this article makes me wonder about what my goals are in a society that really places emphasis on material value. I also contend with Kurt Navarro that the American dream is not dead but it has just changed and evolved with society. It is up to us as individuals to make a change from monetary possessions and find value in our lives by positively carrying out our dreams for a brighter future.
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Goff’s argument is telling us that the old American dream is “dead.” From every American wanting a white picket fence, a few kids and a family. Now, people just either skim by or set lower standards in today’s economy. Her argument Is that the American dream that is from the past, is dead. But, the American dream itself, still lives on. Goff’s believes the new definition of the American Dream is “A sense of hope.” What I think she means by this, is that people need to realize the world is changing. Sadly, not everyone can afford a house, or car. But people can optimize what they have, and make the best of it.
Goff’s views on the American dream unfold a little bit more as I read the article. On the one hand, I agree with Goff’s view that the American dream is still alive. But on the other hand, I still insist that the American dream hasn’t downgraded or lost its “sense of hope.” I was raised to believe hard work will always pay off in the end, and unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of that here in America recently. I’m not the smartest student at my college. But I do try my hardest when studying for tests and it pays off in the end. I wasn’t raised in the early 1900’s, but I do know they worked extremely hard back then, especially during the war. Today, I just don’t see it anymore. I know that not everyone can afford a fancy car or house, or family of twenty seven kids, if that’s what they really want. As long as a person tries their hardest, they will get what they deserve.
If we are right about the lack of hard work in America, then major consequences follow for the generations following in our footsteps. Seeing that America is settling for the “I’ll try, but I won’t give my best so I don’t have to participate in hard work” phase, it has set a standard for all Americans to follow now. For some, the ones who work hard, regardless of their utilities and possession’s. The ones that climb to the top in today’s world, those are the people we should be looking up to and that should be the bar we set. All Americans should care about the American Dream, for some people, it’s the last thing they have. If we give up now, no American will accomplish their goals in life, and just settle for the new “standard.”
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Goff suggests that realistically not everyone can live the American Dream. It should be acceptable for everyone to live to the fullest of their capabilities. Not everyone is destined to be a CEO, we need people you can do “blue collar” work as well and most likely they will not be making the same salary as a “white collar” worker. Also today’s realities is that the economy isn’t great and the cost of living is exhorbitantly high. “Perhaps nothing is more responsible for the lack of contentment plaguing some Americans today than the outdated notion of the American Dream that has been peddled to all of us for as long as we can remember.” The notion that everyone should be married, have children, buy a big house is not the reality anymore. First of all, not everyone chooses to get married, and not everyone chooses to have children. The big house that was once affordable is now only affordable to people who are making six-figure salaries. And, even in some places, that still isn’t enough. Golf’s argument that a “one-size fits all” American Dream is no longer relevant is a good one. It is definitely not the case anymore. I agree with her. People shouldn’t feel pressured to live this “dream” especially if it isn’t theirs. “When historian James Truslow Adams coined the phrase “The American Dream” in 1931, he called it ‘that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.'” Even back then this wise man knew that “The American Dream” certainly could not apply to every single American. The Dream is for everyone to reach their potential to the best of their ability. I couldn’t agree more. People give too much weight to what society expects of you.
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In “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance”,Goff makes a very valid argument on what the American dream actually is. In his argument, he makes a point of saying that the American dream still exists in a way, but definitely not in the way that it was originally meant to be. I agree completely with Goff’s point because I believe that every single person does have a dream about how they want their life to turn out, but not everyone has the same dream in particular. Like Goff says, the typical “American dream” usually has something to do with living in a nice house with two kids and a white picket fence, but like Mohammad points out, due to things like doubled rates in single-person households and lower job wages, many people have to settle for less in their lives and therefore they start to have different views as to what “success” is. Being someone that has a dream for my life that is different than what the actual “American dream” is, I can thoroughly agree with Goff in his argument and say that the American dream is dead and that is a good thing.
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February 9: 2016
Select ideas that resonate with you within Goff’s ideas.Maybe you agree–maybe not. Write a well-developed comment. Then return from time to time between now and Thursday to join in the conversation with your classmates.
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For me the American Dream is just as Goff describes it, and in all reality I wouldn’t mind living up to that. I imagine my life as being happily married, with a decent sized home and a decent amount of land with one or two dogs, and of course a family pet, idealy a dog. However, I can’t help but feel that Goff gives a vauge representation of what the American Drem really is and what it means, she really just skims the top to be more precise. I think that other Americans may feel that the American dream is overrated, and I wouldn’t disagree with that. Some people are happier living out their life childless or single. I would overall agree with Goff when she says that the American Dream is overrated, and good riddance. She is very diliberate when she explains that obly 1 in 8 Americans actually get to live up to the expectations of the American Dream. SO for the U.S. as a whole in the 21st century I say, who cares what everyone else says? Only you know the key to your own happiness and you should embrace whatever that is. Whether it be living your life childless, unmarries and with 47 cats or the exact opposite. We as Americans spend all together too much time trying to keep up with the Johnson’s or whatever that term is, you get my point. Stop living for other’s opinions and start living for yourself. After all, whose really going to care when you’re dead?
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I am in agreement with Keli Goff in that, each person creates their own definition of their American dream. I believe that James Truslow Adams’ vision of the American dream is in line with what Goff is saying, but once that idea spread through the collective minds of Americans, profiteers used this idea to assume people would be made happier with material objects rather than having a life and the opportunities that would make having all of those material objects possible. While having a lot of money and nice things are…nice, I think it obvious to most people that making more money and having all of the possessions that have become known as the standards of the American dream are not guaranteed, and they are not a guarantee that a person or a family will be happy and fulfilled. I believe that as long as you are happy with your life and you can feed and clothe yourself and your family, you are living the basic American dream. All of those other things like owning a house, having nice automobiles, being able to go on vacations etc. are things that only add to that dream, if that truly is part of your American dream.
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While reading the article Goff talks about how the American Dream costs about $130,000. In a way I kinda of agree with that but in a way I don’t agree with it full heartedly. I believe that the American dream can consist of a lot of things like everything from having a nice house or to having money but I think that to me the American dream is about being free and not worrying about whether or not some terrorist or mad man is going to come and try and blow up the country that I love so much.
I feel that to me the American dream is to be free of all violence and to be able to walk out of my front door and not have to worry about my safety. To me the American dream also consists of having a loving family who will stick by you through all the trial and tribulations that you go through in your life. As long as I have all those thing then to me I’m leaving the greatest American dream that I could ever have.
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Going to school full time and taking care of a baby, while living off of one persons income is the farthest thing from the American Dream. in fact, it doesn’t sound like a dream at all. That is current situation I am living and yet I must disagree with Keli Goff in her thinking that the American Dream is dead. I did not randomly end up in the place I am today, I chose to be here. Many people are upset about where they are in life and instead of doing something about it they just say “oh well”. It is a terrible way of living. Rather then making changes they make excuses. Living the American Dream is more then being well off with money, it is living life to the fullest and finding happiness in everything that is truly living the dream. People need to recognize that the world is full of terrible things but to sit around and bring attention to those things only creates more chance for those things to be an even bigger problem. We need not to bring attention to the bad, but to bring attention and recognition to the good no matter what dream it is we are living.
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I believe the main problem with the American Dream is how we currently perceive it. If you speak to a person from an older generation you will find that their opinions can be vastly different from ours. The classic depiction of the American Dream to my grandmother (whom I asked directly about this topic) is this: a nice house to raise a family in, a white picket fence–or brown if it matches the shades better, a pet, and maybe a couple vehicles. I asked her to further elaborate on all of these facets of the American Dream that she believed in. A nice house to my grandmother is a cozy house with some land with 3-4 bedrooms at most. The picket fence statement was explained to not literally require a white picket fence– but rather– a nice sturdy fence to keep rabbits and other predators out of the garden. A pet did not mean a dog of the highest purebred status. To her it meant a good family dog to have around and that “in her day” they never bought puppies—they found strays and begged their parents to keep them. Furthermore, she claimed that “paying $2,000 for a miniature bulldog from a breeder is a ludicrous expenditure for love you can get for free.” To her, having any vehicle was a big deal. Much of her childhood was spent in the family station wagon, not the family Ferrari with heated seats and your own personal massage chair attached to the driver’s seat. They did not get a second car until the late 80’s and it was not extravagant–but it worked.
In contrast, I asked a friend of mine who is my age—27—about the American Dream. He explained the American Dream as “getting rich and being able to have the ability to go anywhere and do what you want.” To him, a nice house is “a mansion in Newport Beach facing the ocean.” A white picket fence would be “for decorative purposes, I’d have surveillance cameras and gardeners to tend to my garden with a private lot and locked gates.” A pet was an Argentine Dogo–background on this dog being a $15,000 price tag as it is a dog exclusively bred in Argentina. A couple vehicles was not a couple vehicles, it was “maybe a Lambo, a couple Bimmers for the wife.” It seems as though most of our generation wants to BE the 1% when it truly boils down to the root issue. After speaking to my grandmother, I realized I have achieved the American Dream that my grandparents had wanted at an earlier age–minus the 3-4 bedroom house. Being that I am stationed in California and deployable I will not purchase a house until I am out of the Navy. I have a beautiful wife, a cozy apartment, three cats, a small garden on my patio, and a couple vehicles.
After reading The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance I found that I mostly disagreed with author Keli Goff. In her intro, Goff states “new analysis confirms what many already assumed to be true: a sizable number of Americans can no longer afford the American Dream” (American Dream). A sizeable number of Americans can no longer afford A LOT of things–and it’s mostly their fault. The housing crisis of the 2000’s was due to people purchasing homes they could not afford–Goff even admits to this point. Credit cards have been a savior and a downfall. If everyone stopped buying their DAILY $3.86 drinks from Starbucks, they would save $1408.90 a year. If everyone stopped purchasing daily burrito bowls from Chipotle at around $7.00, they could save almost $3,000 a year. All of these things are put on credit cards or taken from checking accounts. Smarter choices are to be made and indulging in things like this should be a much rarer occurrence if you cannot afford it. My wife’s inexpensive crockpot meals and bakes go a long way as we save up money for a down payment on our first home. She works almost 55-60 hours a week and still finds the time. Goff is correct when she says “but for many of us our American Dream doesn’t involve all of the above, and in some cases any of the above”(American Dream) when referencing the cookie-cutter version of the American Dream. What I believe she fails to mention is that not everyone feels obliged to the cookie-cutter version as she makes it seem. They sincerely want it and do not want to be “singletons.”
If we can learn how to be disciplined in our finances and put away the credit cards and live by the means we have at the moment, we might find the rewards to be better later in life. I think too many college students want something our grandparents didn’t even dream of until retirement age.
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The article by Keli Goff titled The American Dream is Dead and Good Riddance is a sarcastic interpretation of the message of the inability of Americans to live as they had hoped. Goff bases her argument about the issue on two major factors she considers as a proof of the problem. The first is the rising number of single people who are living luxurious lives instead of getting families and living together. In other instances, it is stated that many couples opt to stay childless as Americans lose passion for parenting. In a mocking nature, the author concludes that it is clear that the definition of the American dream has changed in recent times.
I agree with Goff on the basis of the fact that the American dream is beyond the reach of most of the Americans as people try to live based on the new economic demands. The author uses valid arguments especially when she draws back into statistics and researches before making the assertions. The interesting feature about the article is however the motivation for the author to use a satirical type of reasoning. However, based on the nature of disparity, the style is the most effective way that Goff would have used. The persuasive technique that the author employs in her discussion is a major part of allure meant to win the readers’ thinking based on her ability to utilize emotional appeals. Because of the rising cases of single households and less passion to social capital, l agree with the author that the American dream is not attainable in the current economic times.
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Keli Goff makes a good point that “it’s time to redefine what it means to be successful in America.” That the idea of the American dream will only be a reality if you bring in $130,000 annually is far-fetched. Not everyone has the same goals and expectations. Goff stated that millennials aren’t placing value in getting married, having children, or buying a house. Instead, they seek a “sense of meaning” for the American dream. What Goff is saying is what was formerly known as the American Dream is gone. It has transitioned into more of an individuals perspective rather than a materialistic dollar amount.
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When we think of the American Dream we usually think of marriage, children, a home with a backyard and the white picket fence. According to Goff, only 1 in 8 American families can accomplish this dream. Given these numbers, it is obvious this dream is no longer attainable to most families. Now, lets keep in mind the American Dream, means something different for each of us. For me it means to fulfil my own goals and to become the best I can be, graduate from college and continue on to the work force by utilizing my knowledge and skills, and providing assistance to people in need through counseling. For those who are in the same field as me, you should all know by now that this profession does not pay well; however, I chose to do it because it is rewarding and fulfilling to me. For me, doing what makes me happy is achieving and living the “dream”. Although, I am sure there are people out there who still think of the American Dream as we all know it, I also know that most of us have come to the realization that it is almost impossible to obtain it. The American Dream is not lost, I think it has only evolved, we know that becoming successful in anyway brings both, mental and financial burdens but its up to us to make it happen. I find it important to mention that even though we work hard and do our best to succeed, not everyone is able to accomplish their dream, and it is perfectly ok not to; as long as we know we did everything we could, we should have a feeling of accomplishment and success. Not being able to achieve all of what we want, doesn’t make us losers or less valuable.
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Dream House, 2.5 kids, and let’s not forget the fence. I can honestly say this is a dream that I have never had. I agree with Goff, when she mentions that the “American Dream,” for many people doesn’t include all of these things anymore. Owning my own home would probably be the only thing on that list I would be interested in but I have always known that it would take me an entire lifetime just to afford the down payment, so I can cross that off the list. My goal at the moment is just living somewhere nice with affordable rent. It’s interesting that Goff mentions how many households now consist of just a single adult. I and my best friend are included on this list. I also have to agree with Goff about not having the extra financial responsibility of a mortgage and child care expenses, as it does leave me a little wiggle room when it comes to spending money on fun stuff like movies and videogames. Goff mentions the true definition of the “American Dream,” and it’s easy to see that it has been greatly distorted over the years. James Truslow Adams clearly states that the dream is not only about material possessions and money. The dream isn’t dead it is very much alive but it seems that people have been tricked into believing that they should all have the same dream. Everyone has a different definition of what makes them feel fulfilled, happy and successful. Instead of continuing to chase after something unobtainable, it really is time for people to reflect on what the American Dream means to them personally, as Goff says.
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In her article “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance,” Keli Goff makes several poignant remarks about how the American dream is no longer attainable, and she is glad for that. She reminds us that when historian James Truslow Adams solidified the phrase “The American Dream” in 1931, his ideal was far different than what we have come to know of the materialistic and narrow-minded American dream now. Adams mentioned things like men and women pursuing their highest potential, maintaining a social order, and breaking through the boundaries set by “birth or position.” He specifically stated, “It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely…” (quoted in Goff). Yet that is what the American dream has succumbed to- the nice car in the garage of the nice house that one can barely afford, to drive the kids to school before one goes to work at the job one doesn’t enjoy, all to afford that car in the garage of the house one can barely afford-it’s ludicrous. Goff also points out that currently, an increasing amount of Americans are shying away from the American dream altogether, by simply not settling down. People are living alone for a longer amount of time instead of rushing into marriage, and then once they do decide to partner up, they don’t have children until much later, if ever. (Goff) It seems as though the dream is not dying, but changing into something much more worthwhile. In my opinion, as we as a nation shy away from the 1950’s mentality of the American dream, we are actually getting closer to the American dream as Adams intended, specifically seeking out and working towards our highest potential. Goff mentioned that a 2011 study found that “a sense of meaning” was of highest importance to millenials. That is a dream worth pursuing.
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I believed the American Dream as being defined is having the opportunity to work your way up through hard work and dedication to reach your goals – not necessarily material things. Keli Goff, in her article “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance,” also questions what the American Dream entails. She refers to the book, Chasing the American Dream, which calculates the American Dream costing American families approximately $130,000 yearly. This American Dream, involving “home ownership, educating two children, … [and] owning a good car,” is unobtainable to nearly 87.5 percent of American families (Goff).
Goff claims many demographics in America have changed, especially family size, acknowledging that Americans have also changed their view of what the American Dream is to them, and it doesn’t necessarily involve a white picket fence. She explains how some may argue that instead of owning a home, they would consider having affordable rent as part of the their American Dream. So, maybe the American Dream of the 1960s and -70s – which includes the home, the children and the car – is dead.
Goff suggests that the American Dream, as defined by historian James Truslow Adams in 1931, is reemerging: “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (qtd. in Goff). A life that isn’t full of material items, but a life that has “a sense of meaning” (Goff) has become more important to Americans today, as a 2011 study found and I would agree.
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Keli Goff the author of “Dead and good riddance: Keli Goff on the American Dream” contradicts by making her argument strong in the tittle and second paragraph of her essay but ending up stating that people this day find to fulfill their American dream. For example, she describes, “marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, stuff, more stuff, and even more stuff (to fill up the house you owe the mortgage debt on),” showing the reader different ways of how people are conquering their American Dream. Goff also states, “…Sure, but a lot of these so-called “singletons” are already living their own version of the dream…Moreover, the number of childfree adults—including couples—is also on the rise” emphasizing that today society achieve their American Dream thru ways that are not economically based instead they are more emotional motives.
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Keli Goff asserts that the American Dream is dead, and she is happy to see it go away. What she means is that the long-held belief of what American’s want to achieve has changed dramatically. The American Dream used to mean buying a house, having 2 kids, owning a car or two, but not everyone has the same idea of what their American Dream is. Some may want to live alone. As she states, “Adults living alone are currently one of the fastest growing demographics in America” (Goff). The dream should not be promoted as a one size fits all solution. Instead, the dream should be what each individual envisions it to be. People should not feel pressured to buy a house or a new car in order to be considered successful. As long as that individual feels like they have accomplished what they set out to do, then that should be considered a success. The American Dream of old may be dead, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t another version of that dream to be achieved.
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The concept of the American Dream has been around for a long time and marks the standard of living that many people strive to attain. Keli Goff discusses the death of this dream in her article “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance.”According to her, this dream is only within reach for 1 in 8 American’s as it takes about $130,000 to afford it. Not only are less people attaining the dream financially, they are also moving away from the social aspects of it as well. According to Goff, the number of people without children and unmarried individuals are also on the rise. I think that Goff is right in believing the standard definition of the American dream is dead, but the concept of the dream is very much alive in my opinion. People now set individual standards for success. The American Dream is a personal thing, and can be defined differently for each individual. Goff concludes her article stating that, “perhaps now that the American Dream as we have long known it is now out of financial reach for an increasing number of Americans, more will take the time to reflect on what the American Dream means for them personally.” I do not think this is necessarily a bad thing, success shouldn’t be measured the same for everyone because not everyone is the same or starts out with the same advantages in life.
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