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 
Keli Goff, in her article “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” argues that the old fashioned American dream is gone due to increasing debt and price of living. To live the “American Dream,” it cost about $130,000 a year. According to Goff about only 1 in 8 American families will be able to live the American dream. Some people will never make $130,000 in a year in their whole life, which is why the American dream is dead according to Goff. Personally I don’t truly believe the American dream is dead, maybe the traditional white picket fence is gone, but now there are many variations to the American dream. For some their goal in life is to travel the world, and never truly settle down. Others may want to just live an apartment there whole life. I think many peoples American dream is adapting to the world around us. As the price of living increases, people are finding alternative ways to live their own American dream.
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Kelli Goffs’ unattached attitude to the American Dream in her article, “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance,” is an attempt to fight for a notion that Millennials are uninterested in achieving the idea of success formed by preceding generations. In a sense she is correct, being that times are definitely changing, and societies interests in regards to success and happiness are shifting. However, I believe she falls short in her expression by not really introducing where this shift is coming from. Being a Millennial myself, I have seen the direct struggles of the primitive sense of the American Dream through my parents among other Generation X’s. I have been raised with the constant reminder to go to college and start a career before marriage being drilled into my head from every source of media. So it’s no wonder as to why this old societal concept of the American Dream is diminishing over time.
This vast technologically inclined generation has made it to where it is because of this separation from the primitive American Dream. Society has become focused on innovation, invention, and stature. As Goff recognizes, a “sense of meaning,” is what drives our society today. A pursuit of greatness beyond the normal, with which is perceived through each owns’ eyes. This generation does not follow a baseline means to value what success is. Especially being that many Millennials grew up during the housing market crash, and saw the destruction of many families when the economy tanked. We have subconsciously been pushed to reach for different heights and dreams, due to the precedent state of society before us. So if asked if I think the American Dream is dead I would say no, it has only been re-imagined.
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The America Dream cannot be generalized as one notion but there is truth in Americans working for material fulfillment. With regards to our American dreams being attainable, the biggest problem is we are constantly raising the bar with our gratifications of wants vs. needs whether single or married with children. 19 year old entertainers are driving Maybachs and middle class familiy home must-haves include all children have their own rooms with one to spare. We are now a society that uses James Truslow Adams’ iconic phrase to justify our overspending; if someone else has it, we want it. Even with the phenomena with tiny living, what started out as minimalist living with the very basics, is now an industry overrunning with custome wants in wants not needs. Ironically, popular phrase was meant to remind people that happiness is “not a dream of motor cars and high wages.”
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Judging the title, The American Dream is dead, and good riddance” you may begin reading Keli Goff’s piece expecting to hear more laments about how life will never be how we expected it to be because of the state of our economy but it is quite the opposite. It takes a turn for the positive by quoting James Truslow, who coined the phrase “The American Dream” back in the ripe old year of 1931, who said:
“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 recognized by others for what they are, regardless of fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”
In the age of Millennials, I see less and less white picket fences being built to secure a meaningful and advantaged life and Keli Goff agrees. Traveling the world is being chosen over buying a car to drive to work to ultimately pay for the car that drives you to work, and that is okay.
While I agree with Keli Goff, and it strikes a chord of contentment within my being, I can see how it is written for those of us who are at least in a position to make choices. It does not account for those who are truly struggling immensely and need some vision of a better future to strive for. What happens when people give up? They become complacent, dependent on governments or others to take care of them, or homeless. Ultimately, “The American Dream” is not defined how it once was, but that does not mean it makes the state of our country better.
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In the article, “Dead and good riddance: Keli Goff on the American Dream” Keli Goff makes a strong argument about the definition of American Dream in the 21st century. He talks about how people and the society are changing and so are the definition of “The American Dreams.” She makes a good point that due to inequality and differences throughout our society, workplace, and even personal relationships not everybody is ready to climb up the ladder to reach it.
Everyday people perception and requirements are changing so the definition of the American Dream “notably home ownership, educating two children, as well as owning a good car” is changing. She argues strongly that “it’s time to redefine what it means to be successful in America.” I personally think American Dream in today’s society is not dead, but its changing. Due to different goals and expectations, everybody in today’s society is redefining their American Dreams according to their needs,
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In the article, “The American Dream is dead, and good riddance”, Keli Goff argues that the “American Dream” is dead. She claims “it is time to redefine what it means to be successful in America.” She quotes historian James Truslow Adams, “American Dream” a “…dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.”
There was a time which Americans believed in the dream where everyone was equally able to use opportunities. Goff believes that success is a subjective term. Not everyone has the same goals and expectations. In this sense, the “Dream” is that everyone should have equal opportunity to achieve what they want, as long as it is not opposed the standards of their society.
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Maybe if most of America was not lazy, and actually put money in instead of just sucking the government dry, the American Dream would not look so bad. It is hard to achieve the American dream of a white picket fence home when you do not have a job because you live off the government. The other 7 out of 8 families would be able to afford the American dream if other people were not so lazy. When more people are taking out than putting in, the economy is going to be horrible.
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What struck me most about this article was the implication of the origins of the phrase “the American Dream” and what the original definition was. To me, the contemporary American Dream that I was raised believing was centered around upward mobility and fiscal success. I would be very interested to learn where along the lines the Dream was altered into what it is now.
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I actually disagree with the American dream being dead. First of all, the American dream was never to be the 1 %; the American dream means living a life of happiness, and freedom. People have migrated here for years to acquire just that. Why a home is modeled in the equation; is because a home is real, it belongs to a person. When that person dies it could be passed on from generation to generation. Insuring a home for their bloodline to come home to. Regardless of how tough times can get; at least they will have somewhere to sleep. Also a family is thrown in the mix of the American dream; family brings happiness, it is a friend when one is needed, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to grasp when falling. A family does not mean wife, husband, and children. A family can consist of parents, aunts, uncles, friends. The reason why more people are living alone now; is probably because more people are smart enough to wait to start a family until they are older. That way they can do whatever it is they want to experience before they settle down; as well as finish school or even prepare themselves more financially. It’s not the 1800’s anymore when people married at young ages, and had five to six kids. Most people are smarter now to wait, and not have that many kids.
The American Dream mean freedom; freedom to speak your mind, freedom to dress as you please, freedom to go to school. The American dream means happiness; to find happiness within. My step-father’s dad came from Italy; poor and he became very wealthy making clothes. He did that from hard work, from freedom to excel, and the urge to find his happiness. My mother was an orphan from Mexico; she ran away to this country to follow the dream, and she did. In Mexico, there was barely any money for food, no money for education, most people live in homes made out of scrap wood. She brought me here, and in return I was able to live a better life than she ever had. A life I would have never had if she would have stayed in Mexico. I was able to go to school, and to college; a person in the social class my mother was in would have never reached that high, and especially not their children, if it were not for the land of opportunity. That’s why so many people die just to get a taste of what the American dream can offer. Most Americans take those truths for granted; they forget to look around them, and see what life is in many other countries.
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While Soles-Smith’s piece “It’s Walgreens vs. The American Dream in the Battle for Overtime” assumes that the American Dream is built upon upward mobility, Goff brilliantly calls into question its very definition in “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance.” Goff’s short, but compelling piece immediately draws readers in by challenging them to re-examine the meaning of the “dream.” Pointing out that only “1 in 8 American families” can afford the annual price tag of $131,000 to own a house, raise two children and park a nice car in the driveway, is an attention-grabber – as is her contention that striving after these items is robbing Americans of contentment. And while her readers are recovering from sticker-shock, she gives herself and others as examples of individuals who are “living their own version of the dream.”
Goff backs up their different vision of happiness by quoting the historian, James Truslow Adams, who coined the phrase “the American Dream” 85 years ago. Adams describes a way of life that is more than material wealth where people can attain their full potential and “be recognized by others for what they are…” The inclusion of a study where Millennials ranked a “sense of meaning” the “most important factor in a successful career,” rings true with the attitudes of my 21-year old son and his friends. While reflecting on the article, I realized that my own definition of “happiness” and “success” – my American Dream – centers mostly around family, community, and service. With that said, it’s a lot harder to enjoy these things if you’re struggling day to day to make ends meet. But if we limit ourselves to Goff’s suggestion to simply re-evaluate – and potentially redefine – the meaning of the American Dream, we may find ourselves more content than we realized.
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In the article “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance,” Goff argues that the American Dream started out as not about owning things and more about social standing and living up to one’s potential. However, over time it became more about owning nice cars, nice houses, and having the perfect children. Goff argues that that the revision of the dream is now dead and now the dream is, once again, becoming more about living up to one’s potential. She also projects that Americans will start making their own personal American Dreams now that the previous one is dead.
I agree with Goff that the American Dream should not be about owning things, instead it should be about what you want in your life. For me it is becoming the best possible version of myself, working hard, and being happy. Frankly, it can be whatever you want it to be.
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I think that the American Dream isn’t dead, but lost. It concept is constantly changing with each new phase in society. The article states that in order to obtain the American Dream today, one would need to make $130,000 or more. So in a sense, the 1% of America that makes that kind of money are the only people who can live this dream. Back in the day, a house, car, and being able to educate two children, were the only things that mattered. This was the American Dream. Today, there is an increase in couples without children, as well as those living by themselves. These people are able to splurge on things that didn’t seem to matter before. For example nicer houses and cars, or materialistic things. This is the American Dream today. So many are in debt from buying houses and things that they can’t afford, just so that they can get a taste at this life.
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The article written by Kelli Goff is a very sincere and interesting one. In her article, she denotes what I believe about the American dream, that everyone has their own version of what the American dream is. I, for one do not believe the American dream ever consisted of a white picket fence. This version is much more difficult to attain in today’s economy but it is not impossible. Kelli states that someone who wishes to have the white picket fence version of the American dream must make on average $13ok a year (Goff). This in my opinion is not true. You cannot compare the cost of living in San Diego, CA to that of Dallas, TX. In Dallas, a $130k salary will get you 2 mansions while in San Diego it will give you one. I definitely believe the American dream of having two children, a home, a nice car, and a white picket fence is somewhat hokey since not everyone desires that. I want a huge family, a huge home, and two beautiful cars. I know that this requires a great deal of work, and dedication to my future profession. I do not want to be a stay at home mother that will not have my own income and independence. It is not disgraceful however, I want to be economically stable and in order to get that I must work extremely hard. Many people are scared of this, and these individuals prefer living the moment rather than building a future. Kelli’s article explained that many factors affect one’s definition of the American dream. Those living in New York might prefer renting than buying their own home, while others might not even want children. I agree with Kelli and her method of explaining the death of the traditional white picket fence American dream.
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The definition of the American Dream has changed over time, where it is often pictured that individuals living the American dream were married, owning a house with a white picket fence, with two kids, maybe a dog, and two cars in the garage, growing old and waiting for that time of year when your grandchildren visit you. According to Keli Geoff’s essay “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance,” the definition of the American dream today is all twisted and screwed around, and the reality the majority of Americans live in is entirely different, but James Truslow Adams’s original coining of the term still stands strong with my beliefs.
Being a college student, I see lots of people living with their parents past 24, occasionally having kids. The parents of the students end up being responsible for raising the kids while their kids look for work. If you are one of the lucky few to move out of your parents house, odds are, you are either drowning in loans, or living with a number of roommates to live as inexpensively as possible. Looking into older age groups, I see lots of people that are divorced, living in aparments or shared housing, have no kids, yet are still happier than some of the people I have met that are living the “American Dream.”
The American Dream costs a price tag that one in eight Americans simply cannot afford, so the rest of Americans are left with one option: to live their own dreams. Living happily should be the only dream people aspire for, and materials and housing size should not discourage citizens from living a fulfilling life. The American dream should be a dream not of monetary or material pride, rather “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.”
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“The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” written by Keli Goff argues that the American dream as we know it is dead, and that the death of it is something to be celebrated. The writing points out that the American dream is getting to expensive for Americans to afford, and that as of now only one in eight Americans can afford it, which should open doors to perhaps making the American dream more achievable. Goff argues that the American dream should be more diverse than the picket fence, two cars, and children that we have been raised to believe it to be. She states that many Americans have different dreams, citing that some people’s dream can be as simple as just finding decent rent. She also points out that having children is not for everyone, and that American’s shouldn’t think that they have to have children to feel fulfilled. Goff’s argument continues by pointing out that rather than traditional families, more and more Americans are choosing to stay single or to live alone. Her argument concludes that this might mean a shift in traditional values, and that it is allowing people to look for satisfaction in their jobs rather than a paycheck.
I found “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance,” to be extremely well written. Kelli Goff made her points well, and drew conclusions that are reasonable. I do not, however, agree with her argument at all. I do not believe that it is a good thing that the traditional American dream is so far out of reach. I don’t believe that a shift away from wanting to own your own home, and start a family will open the American dream up to other possibilities. I believe that, as human beings, we deserve to have both. I don’t see why finding satisfaction in your job should preclude being able to earn a decent wage. Of course everyone’s dream is different. That is to be expected, and supported. If someone’s dream is to live alone and be able to afford rent, more power to them. Does that mean, however, that they shouldn’t be able to afford a house and a family if that was their dream? Absolutely not. Unfortunately, it’s the near impossibility of being able to afford that dream which is shifting the focus. I, for one, find that tragic.
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Keli Goff in her article “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” argues that the used-to material “American Dream” with a definition about marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, stuff, more stuff” is gone. She points out that the American Dream was calculated to cost about $130,000 annually, which most American families can’t afford. Instead, Goff agrees with James Adams, that the definition of “American Dream” should be “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”, which is eventually the original meaning that the dream was bearing. Although the material “American Dream” has been replaced, Goff asserts that it’s actually a “good riddance” since it’s returning to how it was meant to be.
I agree with Goff that the American Dream is dying and its replacement now becomes more practical, and more real. As immigrants who came from this country 5 years ago, my parents used to hope that they could afford what they called the “American Dream” if they worked hard enough. The definition of “American Dream” to my parents was to own a good house (instead of renting), to have high wages (instead of the minimum wages), and to be able to afford brand clothes, a huge TV, other materials that they could name. However, as my parents soon realized, it’s not as easy as it sounds. And the true meaning of that dream lies within our small family, where we are content, growing healthy, and seeing each other face every day.
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Keil Goff talks about how in today’s society there are many households with a single person living there. Does this mean they are not living the American dream? No. Goff argues that the true meaning of the American dream is a dying breed. I would disagree.
The American dream is not dead, rather it is lost in translation. The American dream is not about having stuff, owning a big house with a big family. It is about loving your life how it is, loving the freedom you have, simply being happy with the basics. In 1931, James Truslow Adams said, “[The American dream] 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.” I strongly believe that if you are happy with how your life is, you are living the American dream.
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I agree with Goff in most parts of her claims. American Dream became a familiar concept to many people a long time ago. People put a lot of time, money and effort to pursue this with the belief that as long as they meet the all the requirements in the American Dream checklist, they will be consider being successful. However, since living situation varies among people, it is not possible for the America Dream to meet everyone’s conditions. The example about owning a house is an obvious point which shows that the definition of American Dream has been out of date already and really needs to be fixed. The money it costs to pursue American Dream is another problem which Goff mentioned in the article. As she declared, only one in eight American families is able to reach that dream. If so, what is the point of the dream? American Dream now is tuning out to be something impractical and somehow ridiculous. One should not buy a house when he/she is not able to afford it. Similarly, having children is something you can make choice. It is not mandatory to force oneself to be pregnant while she is not ready. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest getting rid of the American Dream. People should find a whole new term for it or just simply make some changes in the definition. By keeping pursuing the American Dream, many people are expected to live a “trapped” life and lose life interest. I agree when Goff argue that the definition of American Dream has been lost. Something used to be life purpose can easily turn out to be burden, especially when people try hard to get something they cannot afford. The pressure of being successful has obsessed many people; it makes them become tired in their own life.
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I found Keli Goff’s article, The American Dream Is Dead, and Good riddance to be an echo of my feels over the past few years. At the end of her article, Goff ultimately does not make the argument that the “American Dream” is dead, but that it is being redefined. She accurately points out that after being exposed to the ugly inner workings of American Capitalism, younger generations of peoples are rightfully adjusting their idea of the American Dream from one that reflected their parent’s concept, to a new more realistic one. These generations of young people no longer blinded by the government propaganda which states that “Capitalism works for everyone”, are making changes in their aspirations and lifestyles in order to play the game of “American life” more efficiently and effectively. No they cannot and do not expect to for sure be homeowners, they know that luxury cars are just that—a luxury, they trade vacations for staycations, and they delay or all out reject the idea of a large nuclear family. Although their actions may often vex their more “traditional” parents, their adjustments are simply a necessity brought about by the time period and political climate they were born into. Coming into the world too late to enjoy the traditional idea of the “American Dream” and too early to enjoy any fruits that may come from a future political revolution, they are making do with what they have.
I personally can relate to this frame of mind. Being a father to three kids and the main income earner in our family, I have had to come to the realization that my kids will have a better life than I did, but not that much better. They will get to go to the zoo for family outings, but not Disneyland (have you seen the prices!). They will have a decent house to live in, but it won’t be anything close to the house with the white picket fence. They will have slightly better clothes than I did, but they will never be top of the line. They will always be dropped off in older cars and they will always see me come home dead tired after a hard day’s work. These are all realties they face because unlike some of my friends, I decided to have a family in my twenties, believing that I had built for myself the right foundation that would set us up for future access to those luxuries. Little did I realize that “life happens” and that in this American society, even the littlest slip up in money management could set you on a downward spiral that seems all but impossible to climb out of. In reality, if I could do it all again, I would have waited longer to have children and opted to live the single life/coupled life for a few more years. Knowing what I know now, I would have lived my own version of the American dream out before I attempted to guide a family through this mess. Now don’t get me wrong, our family is going to do alright and just like the people Goff mentioned in her article, I will define the “American Dream” on my own terms. My family and I will find pleasure in the experiences, friendships, and adventures that are life defining, but just not expensive or debt-ridden.
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Keli Goff’s title of the article is certainly the main focus of her argument. However, I believe her article focuses more on how the American Dream has changed rather than died. Its definition has changed and it is not necessarily bad. More people are taking their time on marrying and having kids which used to be the priority for most in prior years. This has enabled people to pursue different things and focus on themselves which is what has made the American Dream change so drastically. It now holds a different value, it is no longer the traditional dream that many wanted to pursue. Moreover, I do agree that the financial struggle of many is what has warped the notion of the traditional American Dream.
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This day in age has become so much more difficult to attain the “American Dream” because of the high cost of living. It is true how many young people are choosing to stay single or married but holding off on having a family because it has become so hard to support this dream financially. Many young people do seem to be veering towards “self improvement” and stability in their lives before they decide to go on and pursue anything else in life. Maybe finding ourselves again will lead us to find a better and easier way to achieve the American Dream that we ourselves define for our lives.
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The nice car, huge house, 2.5 kids and suburban life is well known as the American Dream, yet Keli Goff argues that there is no way to achieve the American Dream that society concocted for us. It was interesting to find out the original meaning of The American Dream, first coined by James Truslow Adams in 1931, as “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.”
Unfortunately, this couldn’t be any farther away from where we are now. There have been so many issues regarding the 1% of Americans who make close to a quarter of the nation’s income, that it will take a lot of time and effort on the part of our government to close this inequality gap. Luckily, Goff’s observation that the new definition of the American Dream is shifting from what it used to mean, could bring hope back to Americans. She points out that there are more single people than ever before who decide to live alone for longer periods of time. They are able to afford to spend their money on more frivolous things, like movie tickets, as are couples who live together and don’t have kids, who are also on the rise.
As a parent, I can attest to the financial hardship my husband and I have endured since having our son. Our lives of frivolous spending and late nights have been replaced by coupon-clipping and sleepless nights. No longer are the days of us being a couple with dual incomes and no kids. I have had to sacrifice my employment in order to raise my child. While I wouldn’t have it any other way now, I am glad we spent so much time as a childless couple and were able to afford to rent in a trendy neighborhood. Our American Dream was just that – being able to enjoy life without anything holding us back, like kids, a mortgage or unemployment. So in my opinion, the American Dream is whatever anyone wants it to be, not what society expects us to have.
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Goff explains that the so called “American Dream” is not affordable with Americans anymore. She says that the American Dream, as we know it is dead but lots of people are making their own versions of the American Dream. The “American Dream” would normally consist of home ownerships, educating two children and owning a car, but that’s not everyone’s definition of the American Dream. Others have a different idea in mind because they don’t necessarily want that exact dream and they don’t involve some of the classic ideas.
The American Dream is not dead as she perceives it but the classic idea is. Different people have different versions of the American Dream and not many people want that classic all American version of it. The contempory version is not craved by everyone anymore but everyone wants their own version. Not all married couples want children, which seems to be the idea that everyone seems to have. Everyone fits into different criteria’s and everyone’s version of the American Dream is different.
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Keli Goff says that it’s a good thing the American dream is dead, I think otherwise. The American Dream is a fundamental reason why people come to this country. Their not all the same but, they are similar to owning a house and having a family. I think it’s a good thing we have this in our lives, it gives us something to strive towards. I think anyone can reach their point in their lives where they can buy their own house and support their family. People need to be financially intelligent with the things they are buying, put down the snack food and put your money in the bank. Investments are the best way of striving towards this goal and anyone can do it, it may be harder for some who are not as financially gifted but it is still possible.
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Keli Goffs’ article is a real eye opener to what the American Dream has turned into. She talks about how the “American Dream” is now dead, but as she goes to explain on in the article its not so much as dead but evolved. The world is changing everyday so that means dreams change all the time to fit with what is going on in the world. Before a lot of people use to think to be successful in life would be to be married with a good career and have children and a nice house. Nowadays people don’t think marriage is that important, being single, being an individual is becoming more popular. Independence is what life is all about now. Most people don’t want kids anymore, they are to much of a responsibility for a lot of people, and Goff talks about that in her article. A lot of people are turning the “American Dream” into their own perspective of what it is and how it fits in this time. The “American Dream” will always be alive; the dream just changes for the type of success you are headed for.
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In the article “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance”, Keli Goff argues that the American Dream does not exist anymore, because many Americans cannot afford it, and also because the identity of the American Dream has become different for everyone as the years have passed by. For many, the American Dream consisted of the pursuit of achieving success in an environment where everyone has equal opportunities and an equal chance. The intention of this concept was to motivate people to focus on a life of fulfillment and satisfaction. But, this concept has been molded individually by Americans as they challenge this societal dream.
Goff offers some calculations from USA Today, stating that the American Dream costs $130,000 annually, which would mean that only 1 in 8 American families could actually attain this dream. In other words, the American Dream is expensive, and can be seen as more of a materialistic possession. Goff mentions how Americans talk more about “marriage, children, mortgage debt, student loan debt, stuff, more stuff, and even more stuff”, corrupting the definition of the American Dream as a selfish delusion rather than a gratifying aspiration. That being said, many Americans living today have chosen to live a life unrestricted by marriage, children, or home ownership. Goff argues that one of the reasons why the American Dream is so unattainable is that people are convinced that they need to be “educating two children, as well as owning a good car”, as well as owning a home. She goes on to say how the “mortgage meltdown” may not have happened if “so many Americans had not bought into the idea that their American Dream would not be complete without buying a house, specifically a house they could not really afford”. Goff mentions how the definition of the American Dream is slowly coming back to its original definition by James Truslow Adams, “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.” I agree with this, because I hope to live my life with “a sense of meaning”. As this election season comes around, I start to question how I can achieve my goals, with whatever agenda is offered to our nation. I wish to be able to fulfill all of my dreams regardless of what cards I am dealt with.
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I find it weird that Keli Goff speaks of the American Dream as if there is a definition. The American Dream has an elastic definition, it can change from day to day. When people first thought of the American Dream there were no super cars, no $10 minimum wage, no iphones, no and social media. The American Dream changes over time and that is okay. Now, people want a billion dollar mansion and garages full of cars. They want materialistic items that they will not even use. However, other people may want a moderate home, big enough for them to live in, along with a spouse and children. Then again, maybe that person wants to live alone in a forest, and that is their American dream.
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This article, by Keli Goff, shows a different point of view regarding what has been commonly known as “The American Dream.” She explains The American Dream as James Truslow Adams’ 1931 definition. His definition is a modernized version of the Founding Fathers’ “God given rights” of the American citizenry, to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It seems his definition has a more global focus and offers the Dream to those who would pursue it. It describes “the dream of a land in which life should be better richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement….regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” The American Dream is the AMERICAN Dream initially because it is by and through our belief in our unique governing structure that encourages such a dream, however, is not guaranteed. It is not a “given” nor is it a literal benefit of citizenship, though many opportunities are open to citizens only. Her main point is The Dream is no longer sustainable, in today’s economy. In a USA Today article she referenced, calculations suggest the Dream costs a family of four $130,000.00 per year. Yet she fails to note that a family with two incomes, which many middle class families are these days, could earn $65,000 per year per person (2 parents), with very little effort or sacrifice. Certainly, if the family of four includes teens or young adults, $32,500.00 a year is very doable, even on a hairdresser’s salary. If the family owns a business or franchise this income is almost guaranteed. She fails to note Small Business Administration surveys showing the majority of American businesses are family owned or “small” businesses, which in and of itself tells us the American Dream is alive and well. She notes this income level is out of reach for 8 out of 9 families yet she gives no specific source for her statement. Certain key benchmarks and other so-called requirements for achieving the dream were mentioned; A married couple, having two children each of whom parents would plan to educate k-12 and assuming college, living in their own home – presumably having a white picket fence, and a good car (now a days that actually means two cars) and possibly a chicken in every pot. It seems the author has left several key points out of her synopses, the most obvious being Adams wrote his Dream after the roaring ’20’s were over and the Great Depression was in full swing. To add insult to injury, the Federal Income Tax was ushered in during that time, and has served to re-distribute the wealth and progressively erode the income of the Middle Class. American’s ability to keep, invest, spend, or lend, what they earn is increasingly more difficult yet we have more college students in school than every before in American history. WWII contributed to the boom in the economy and the American Dream was alive and well and living in suburban America until the 1970’s.
The Fortune magazine article referenced offers a similar suburban lifestyle as an example of the essential elements of the Dream. It confirms one person households may have more discretionary income as do dual-income-no-kids households. This is nothing new to Post WWII citizens, Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y who are now in their child bearing years, or grand parenting years. These age groups have seen the rise and fall of Fed (Federal Reserve Bank) interest rates, hyper inflation, stag-flation, periods of growth and scarcity. Interest rates for home loans in the 1920’s were 1-2%, by contrast, during the 1970’s Carter administration, American’s experienced the pain of buying a family home or sending a child off to college with loan interest rates as high as 13%. Granted, a home in the 70’s might have cost $20,000.00 but the average car cost $2,000.00. If there’s anything to blame for the perceived death of the American Dream, it’s inflation and the devaluation of the Dollar. But I digress.
By contrast, Gen X and Gen Y are buying homes today because they want more security. They see home ownership as a low liability, passive investment. They are able to do this through programs like; HUD’s “Teacher Next Door” and “Good Neighbor” programs where Teachers, or those working for a school district in low-moderate income areas, may buy a HUD foreclosed home, below market price, and after three years of teaching half of their mortgage is forgiven. Yes, the American Dream is alive. Modernization of our Public Libraries and advancements in technology and the internet is, in part, responsible for access to such opportunities. Anyone with a Library card can learn about programs and services they had very little access to before. Workers who wish to get more bang for the buck can avail themselves of FHA low interest rates and low (2%) down payment requirements. If they qualify, an option for a Down Payment Assistance Grant exists. All that is necessary is their willingness to educate themselves, work as they are able, save what they can, build credit, and increase their “worth” in the marketplace.
More people than ever before are taking classes, obtaining professional licenses (Cosmetology, Legal Interpreter), enlisting in the Military, obtaining a college degree or taking advanced coursework (ex. Computer Software certifications – C++, Java, Cisco etc…). Many come from low-moderate families.
As opposed to the high rents being charged these days, home mortgage payments are the most affordable they’ve been in decades and yet, the article gives New Yorkers as an example of those who wish not to buy, but to see reasonable rents. RedFin.com estimates average rental rates in San Diego as $1,200.00 to $1,800.00 for a two bedroom two bath condo/apartment while Zillow.com’s mortgage calculator shows a couple can buy a $300,000.00 condo in North County, 5% down payment ($17,500.00) and pay $1,794.00 per month. This assumes each person earns 35-40k a year, has little credit card debt, and decent (not excellent) credit and decides to forgo their morning Starbucks in lieu of saving for a down payment. Now, San Diego is considered a High Cost Area by HUD standards so special programs and grant considerations apply. Hopefully, this gives us a little perspective on what we need to do if we want to realize the American Dream. The underlying issue is not whether the Dream is dead, it is whether we feel it still has merit. That depends on what one wants out of life, their life. Do they see themselves on welfare or social security in their old age or do they see themselves having a certain level of independence from their parents, children, or the government Anyone who has read Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” understands renting a home, condo, or storage unit is a good way to NOT achieve the American Dream. Perhaps that’s her point.
I agree, while the term “household” has changed over the years… go with me on this…the author illustrates the original definition has been lost. O.K…. on that point I disagree. The fact that hundreds of refugees still want to come to our country, and foreign nationals continue working in the States on H1-b visas, Seasonal Worker permits, or having Green Card status, confirm many opportunities exist if one is willing to plan their work and work their plan. As for those who risk everything to come here, the Dream asks that they learn and follow the rules. The Dream isn’t for everyone. We can choose to opt out. If we choose to Opt In, it might mean stretching one’s self, taking risks, welcoming growth as well as welcoming sacrifice. Achieving the American Dream, in my humble opinion, is still achievable yet it is no easier than it was after the Great Gatsby or Great Depression. The author tells us “the tide appears to be turning back in favor of Adam’s definition”, I’m not sure Adam’s definition ever faded. She gives us insight into a 2011 study that found the way the next generation of adults, so-called Millennials, define their Dream as having more to do with having “a sense of meaning” regarding their careers. While working a dead-end job with little or no personal satisfaction is not my idea of a good time. For most of us, however, it is the means-to-an-end and that “end” is the achievement of the American Dream. Adams’ Dream is not the blueprint for a weekend project, it is the assurance that if such a dream exists, it is possible to make it come true, here. The pursuit of the Dream is a process. For those who wish to stake their claim and make it their own, anything is possible. The Statue of Liberty expresses our commitment to that Dream and offers provisions for those who are tired, the huddled masses. Do we need much more?
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As times change so does the mindset of general public, what is desired by the masses today is not the same as it was 50 years ago. The staple of the American dream which has been commonly thought to be owning a house and making a family is outdated. The American dream should be a personal view of success, whatever that may be, not a rigid template. “Moreover, the number of child free adults-including couples-is also on the rise” (Goff). From what Goff writes it is apparent that the classical American dream is adapting to the desires of the current generation. This shows that the American dream is not a strict definition, instead it is a unique view of success which American’s are still achieving today. The traditional context of the American dream may be slowly fading from our society, but the American dream is far from dead.
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As job opportunities fall and purchasing power weakens, the American people are forced into more desperate situations, and must sometimes settle for a less than adequate lifestyle. As Keli Goff points out in “The American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance”, The American Dream is a near-unattainable and lofty goal for the average worker nowadays. People leave college with massive amounts of debt, take up crappy jobs well-beneath their experience, then whittle away at that debt while living in crappy situations. They work long hours with little reward, and will stay home, splurging instead on the occasional hobby. People leave home at an older age now, and lead reclusive lives. Married couples today are practically forced to both work jobs, making raising a child a near impossible and arduous task.
Until power is returned to the American people, when the economy is in a better place and people aren’t forced to combat ungodly debt and slave away for cheap wages, they will continue to suffer. While the American Dream is a worthy and proud goal, it is an impossibility for the current economy to provide for the average American people. In the meantime, a more realistic goal, perhaps a cheap apartment and an old used car, is the better dream to chase after, even if it might be considered as settling.
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The title is a great hook “American Dream Is Dead, and Good Riddance” but I think throughout the argument it leans more towards the shift what defines the American dream in the 21st century . Goff’s starts off with the cost of the American Dream, calculating $130,000 annually. and clearly stating an old version of the American dream, ” I’m referring to the version that usually involves some mention of white picket fence.” Goff goes into detail of what the American Dream is , she describes ” notable home ownership, educating two children, as well as owning a good car.” is consider the dream.
Referring back to the title, the American Dream is not entirely dead, we are shifting more towards what the Jame Truslow Adams 1931 “The American Dream is 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” somewhere down the years it changed to the “white picket fence” vision. “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).” describes Goff .
This is article describes what I’ve been thinking about while reading the articles from They say/I say “The American Dream ” and the blog post ” It’s Walgreens Vs. The American Dream in the battle for overtime” It is the year 2016, Millennials have a different mentally and meaning of what defines a successful career, it seems the Millennials generation support James Truslow Adams definition of the American Dream he states ” It is not a dream of motors cares and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they innately capable and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” Goff enforces this version “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…”
This what I believe and I’m confident that Millennials think similar with the idea of placing success through materials, titles, and ” white picket fence” is a false dream. Now, the shift has been more towards meaningful experiences and less on property ownership. Rise of child free adults, more “singletons” with less mortgages and knowing the truth from corporate position titles (ie: Managerial positions) to a meaningful life of freedom.
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Keli Goff argues that the “American Dream” is not actually what people may have thought it to be. We all know about the white picket fence, house and 2.5 kids but perhaps that is not what the original intentions were supposed to be. A lot more people are staying single and childless for longer periods in their lives than ever before. I agree with Goff that a new definition needs to be derived for the “American Dream” and it should be different and personal for each individual. There is not cookie cutter mold that everyone is meant to fit in. We should all follow our own dream and pursue it with the same passion if not more as before.
We each have an opportunity to seek out what is meaningful in our own lives and having the marriage with kids and home may not be for everyone. This should still be ok to want a life full of travel or adventures and not carpools and soccer games. There has to be more to life than has been sold to us for so long. Perhaps this is a way of giving everyone permission to seek out their own version of an “American Dream”.
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Pamela is mistaken in thinking that the government killed the American dream because she overlooks the idea that every American can create their own dream. I believe that the American dream is fully achievable by every person in America. I think that the American dream is not just the white picket fence, husband, wife and kids, but a unique scenario for each person. The dream is different for every person. Unlike Pamela, I do not believe the government is responsible for the killing of our dreams. I still believe that everyone’s personal American dream is achievable and alive. The government cannot take away your dreams.
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Keli Goff, in her article, “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” argues that the American Dream is changing and it is a good change. I agree with Goff that the American Dream is changing towards personal happiness, which is good. This is a good change because in today’s society it is not easy to buy a house, afford a good car, and send your children to school. Many of us are trying to stay away from being in dept since everything is getting expensive. Since education became important in having a better career, many students are returning back to colleges to get some kind of a degree/diploma, in order to have better career in the future. Because of this, tuition rate have been increasing, causing students to be in debt. Overall, this change in the American Dream is a good change because more people will realize that they should just enjoy their lives and be happy instead of worrying about having a big house with a white picket fence and a good looking car
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Yes, I agree.
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Why should we care?
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In her essay “The American Dream is Dead, and Good Riddance” by Keli Goff makes a couple of interesting points for why the American Dream is “dying,” but I disagree. For example she states “American Dream costs approximately $130,000 annually, meaning the dream is only within reach for about 1 in 8 American families”(Goff). I believe it is evolving into a different aspect, with America’s population forever growing and competition is steadily increasing, most Americans are following a blind trail. Going to school and getting a degree of some sort and maintaining a healthy career, because it was instilled in us at an early age. The American Dream is truly alive and breathing, but it is in a different shell. Its varies from person to person. Some people want to live an establish an global empire and be the top of the food chain, while other Americans want to live without stressing from paycheck to paycheck. With this new generation we have come to reform the ideal of just doing what everyone else is doing, but changing it up and bringing our own flavor into it. That is why the American Dream is still alive. It has evolved to fit differently on different people. In the end, this article challenges us to decide “what is your American Dream and not the person sitting beside you American Dream.”
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The “American Dream” is associated with working hard to achieve the goal of being a homeowner and living affluently. In the 1900’s that’s what most people would have wanted. Society molded individuals desires into one goal, which I believe should never be done. People’s individual ideas and goals fuel the world into evolving. I agree with Goff’s idea that the “American Dream” is dead. As this country evolves it continues to diversify and increase thresholds of success. The contemporary “American Dream” is non existent. With Advances in technology and waves of new opportunity, anybody can work towards their tailored goal. Dreams are subjective depending on the person, the 21rst century introduced new peaks of success that aren’t based off of monetary or materialistic value.
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Allyn and Casey, while you certainly make a great argument concerning the idea that the American Dream has shifted and materialized into a more modern ideology and goal, there are a few points in which I have to disagree. For example, you state “Though many would claim the American Dream is lost, we believe it has simply evolved into a more modern version.” The original American Dream was created upon the idea of success. Out of curiosity, how do we define success? Is success based on how much money someone has? Is it guaranteed once someone has a family? Is it gained once somebody obtains a certain amount of material objects such as cars, boats, or homes? The definition of success is certainly subjective and has no definite direction. Success can be catered to each and every individual. If this is the case, does someone truly every achieve happiness? Where does one achieve “true happiness” as you advocate? There have been a plethora of famous actors, actresses, and musicians who by your definition of the “American Dream” would have achieved true “happiness”, but they have committed suicide, practice abusive behavior, have an alcohol addiction, and experience depression. Based on this observation, I don’t believe there is such an idea as “true happiness”, “success”, or an ability to achieve the “American Dream.” Without a true, clear cut definition, I don’t understand how someone can make steps toward a goal that is without limit or contains a specific rubric.
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