The American Dream Is A Mere Fantasy For The Poor Essay

The American Dream is an idea that needs no introduction: it has been embedded into our minds since elementary school by our history textbooks, teachers, and parents. It’s an unwritten rule for many adults – keep the American Dream alive in our next generation. And why shouldn’t we? With all of the countless rags to riches stories bred through our county’s proud history, the American Dream becomes self-evident. America truly is the land of opportunity; so why are most of our poverty stricken citizens stuck at the bottom? Has the dream become a mere fantasy for the poor? One may say that it is possible for almost all poor Americans to climb the social hierarchy, but they unwilling to put in the effort necessary. While I do concede that it may be possible to climb the social ladder, I’d argue that the negative affect poverty has on work and mental health rig the system so that the opportunity simply does not exist for the poor. Don’t get me wrong, the dream is not dead for the poor. There must be a few exceptions to the rule. A Pew study finds that four percent of people born into poverty work their way up into the higher classes. Four is not too terrible; the ratio isn’t flattering, but some are still achieving the American Dream. A more unfortunate number is 70 – the percent of men and women born, raised, and perished in poverty (see fig. 1). The overwhelming majority of those born into low income houses will statistically never escape. Poverty isn’t just a problem; it isShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream : Why The Country Is A Mere Fantasy For The Poor Essay1402 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Dream: Why the Impoverished Will Just Have to Keep Dreaming The American Dream is an idea that needs no introduction: it has been embedded into our minds since elementary school by our history textbooks, teachers, and parents. It’s an unwritten rule for many adults – keep the American Dream alive in our next generation. And why shouldn’t we? 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