What is the American Dream ? If you ask ten different people that question, chances are you would receive ten distinct replies. For generations of U.S. citizens the American Dream was clearly defined.
As society evolved, the wants and needs of Americans changed and the American Dream has long been represented by a seemingly normal and stable home life accentuated by an ever-increasing accumulation of material objects.
The most common representation of the idyllic American experience for many years has been of a happily married couple with two or more children and a dog, living in a neat and tidy house with a white picket fence in front.
In today's world however, that image is not only unrealistic, but also unattainable and often undesireable for many American citizens. With a high incidence of divorce and a proliferation of single-parent families being the norm in today's society, the image of a happily married male and female couple with children is becoming increasingly less common.
While in years past it was relatively easy for a couple to purchase a house and maintain mortage payments on it until it was paid off, that situation no longer exists. In previous years, the major breadwinner in the family often held the same job for decades, if not a lifetime, ensuring that the mortage would get paid.
Negative economic conditions have created high unemployment rates, which have led to record numbers of home foreclosures across America.
On the other hand, there are many U.S. citizens who see the American Dream in terms of career advancement and fulfillment. By attaining lucrative high-level career positions and enjoying the prestige that these jobs hold, these citizens feel they have achieved the American Dream.
Of course, just being able to live safe and free could be considered living the American Dream.