What Students Are Saying About: The American Dream, Mindfulness in Schools and How to Define ‘Family’
The American dream of 2019
When I was younger, the American Dream consisted of a few things: wealth, possessions, and power, all things similar to what was mentioned in the article. But as I’m getting older, and as our world is changing, my perspective is changing along with it. Of course it’s nice to have nice things. Who wouldn’t want to be able to buy whatever they wanted whenever they wanted for whoever they wanted? But today, as I see people in our world facing violence and injustice everyday, my idea of the American Dream is a little different.
To me, the American Dream is having the ability to be safe and healthy, to not have to fear for my life everyday, to have access to the basic resources I need to survive. When I see people across the world, people in the same country as me, even people in my own community faced with violence and injustice, I start to notice how privileged I am compared to others. Maybe I don’t have all the nicest things or all the money in the world, maybe I don’t even have a little bit of it. But, I have access to the resources I need, I have a family, and I have a stable home. And that’s enough for me.
— Libby Roth, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC
Now that I am older and can understand what is going on in the world, I know that the idea of the “American Dream” is different for everyone. People that come to America to live the “Dream” don’t have the mindset of a white picketed fence, these people are coming here for more opportunities. The “Dream” for some people is to come here for a more prosperous life, that includes having more jobs for that require many different skills, or maybe to leave a warring country. The more modernized “American Dream” does not depict images of becoming wealthy, but more likely of having a happy, fun, and enjoyable life, which is also a healthier and more reachable goal of living than the expectation of living up to the classic “American Dream.” I believe that whatever someone wants there “American Dream” to be, that’s what it is to them. Everyone does not need to have the same dream.
— Jenny Braswell, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC
This article definitely made me reconsider my views on the American dream. Now I picture the American dream as equality and safety for all, with loving family and friends that are supportive of all endeavors. My current definition of the American dream seems attainable. I have loving, supportive parents and friends that care about me deeply. People of different ethnicities, religions, and sexualities are climbing the social/political/economic ladder and beginning to reap the same benefits as others. As we progress in our efforts for true equality and lack of prejudices, I have hope that my generation will be able to make this not only the American dream, but the American reality.
— Caitlyn Pellerin, Danvers, MA
I think the American dream has evolved throughout every generation and that it’s a relative concept. My definition of the American dream is different from my parents because when I think about my mom and my grandparents, their dream was to get to America and have a better life. They achieved their American dream. My parents have managed to give my brother and me a better life than they had, not just financially, but a different way of growing up. When I think about what I believe is my American dream, I picture myself fulfilled in whatever I choose to be doing in my future. Whether it’s having a successful career or a family, as long as I am independent and thriving I’ll achieve my American dream. I think the American dream is something worth striving for, but I also believe that it’s something people have to create their own definitions for; everyone is different, and people have different dreams.
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