Preview

Success In America

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
977 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Success In America
Americans seem to share a relatively concrete idea of what constitutes success throughout society. I have even noticed that some Americans may even voice that they do not share this definition of success, but their actions and concerns definitely suggest otherwise. For many Americans, success seems to be measured by a combination of factors, which include relationships to material objects, socioeconomic factors, and social class lifestyles. Numerous sociologists have highlighted the excessive rates of consumption among Americans, which some refer to as hyperconsumption. With the emergence and availability of credit in America, Americans can easily obtain material objects that they may not be able to currently afford. It is well known that many …show more content…
It seems as if these objects symbolize something of significance in many American cultures and the larger society overall. I think many Americans equate material possessions with the idea of success because of the symbolic meaning that is carried by material objects in our society. It seems rather commonplace for Americans to create perceptions of success that are based directly off of observing what another owns. For example, if someone that you did not know moved into a large, extravagant house that was recently built in your neighborhood, it would be typical for many Americans to immediately begin assuming that this individual is probably successful. Next, imagine if this individual was always seen dressed in expensive designer suits and also owned several luxury cars, such as a Mercedes, a BMW, and a Cadillac. I think it would be safe to say that many people from the neighborhood would immediately perceive that this individual is successful based of observations of his or her material possessions …show more content…
I probably acquired this from my family because my family has taught me to suppress my desire for material objects and strive to live within my means. They taught me the difference between “needs” and “wants” at a very young age. Considering this, I equate success more with achieving individual accomplishments I have committed myself to, maintaining strong relations with family and friends, and most importantly striving to be the best father and husband that I can be. I could own a mansion, own three Lamborghinis, take exotic vacations every two months, wear designer suits everyday, and be perceived as successful to many Americans. However, I would still consider myself unsuccessful in this scenario if I were failing to satisfy my personal definition for success. This is because I do not think any possessions or lifestyle alone could ever insure long-term happiness for me. I would be lying if I said finances were unimportant to me, but I am more concerned with financial security and stability as opposed to any concerns with presenting an image that I have achieved financial excess. For example, I would rather have an inexpensive car that is reliable instead of paying high monthly payments on a sports car. I believe many American cultures and our society overall has granted relations with material objects and social class lifestyle too much weight. I do not want to

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In Roemer’s “America Remains the World’s Beacon of Success,” it is apparent to see the point which he is trying to get across. Through a series of repetitions, contrasts, anomalies, and literary devices, he makes the point that the United States is a very successful country and will continue to prosper. First, we will look at the repetitions of this article. One case which Roemer repeats throughout is the fact that he has traveled to developing countries. He says that the people of these places, primarily India, wish that they could live and receive their education in America. The many strengths of the United States are also heavily stressed through the entirety of the text. Whether it be our nation’s economy, schooling, technology, military…

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    First, Americans are becoming over materialistic because of competition. Source number five, “The New Consumerism”, an essay written by Juliet Schor, explains the concept of competition between Americans, which leads to dangerous effects. In the essay, Schor explains how the American neighborhood led to competition in the middle of the twentieth century. Schor states, “In the 1950’s and 60’s, when Americans were keeping up with the Jones down the street, they typically compared themselves to other households of similar incomes” (Schor ¶ 3). This explains competition because even though each family has similar incomes, the competition to have the same possessions may develop in the neighborhood, even if they don’t need it.…

    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Today’s new materialism determines your placement on the social ladder. In almost every American organization, money and things are the whole foundation, so it makes sense that Americans would be so materialistic. Americans thrive…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    First impressions stick with a person for a long time and appearances do matter. When it comes to living in America, everyone wants to live the American Dream. Everyone wants a big house, luxurious cars and a white picket fence around your property. In Christine Page’s paper A History of Conspicuous Consumption, she talks about conspicuous consumption and how it refers to the ostentatious display of wealth for the purpose of acquiring or maintaining status or prestige. The thought process is you have to show how worthy and successful you are by buying expensive things. If you are rich buy a new 2016 BMW M6 class or a new Rolex to show off your success as well as your status with the elites. The thought process, “Look at all my stuff, I am successful!”…

    • 277 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The assertions made by Lewis Lapham’s Money and Class in America distinguishes the meaning of success and the requirements for respect from Americans to that of other strong societies. In his essay he defends that Americans show respect for those with a high economic status while other nations feel art and intellect are warrant for respect. With this, he agrees with Henry Adams that Americans are greatly materialistic in the sense that they try to find “success” in wealth because they have been “deflected by the pursuit of money”. Though the idea that Americans favor and respect a high economic status is true, Lapham’s claim that they do so because they are socially forced to is not accurate because they still have the ability to make a choice.…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American Dream use to be the limitless ability to attain goals with family values and it now transforms into attaining luxuries, wealth, and fame. In the past, people often pursued goals such as living a simple life on the satisfactory amount of land and possessions. During Henry David Thoreau’s time, “the wisest have ever lived a more simple and meager life than the poor” (1). Thoreau’s words marked a time in the lives of the past where living a simple life with one’s family was considered wise, and thus good. Moreover, satisfaction accompanied simple living. Due time, this perception of a satisfactory living has since changed. In the present, people pursue lives that can allow oneself to immerse in luxuries, wealth, and fame. According…

    • 186 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thomas defines American dreams as achieving greater prosperity and consuming more material goods. What is more, King extends Thomas’s idea and claims that the old American dream is just as what Thomas says, but the new American dream is trimmed down version of its former self. He believes that most people prefer a stable, middle-class lifestyle now, and they change their spending habit from consuming money to get joy to focusing on saving money for the future and having secure employment by showing some statistics about ownership decreasing from 69% in 2005 to 66.5% in 2010 and renter household increasing 1.1million. And they both agree that culture plays an important role in shaping American…

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Society has influenced in the definition of the “American Dream” as an illusion of a path of obstacles but in reality can be conquered with a little further knowledge and tools. So many migrate from all parts of the world in pursuit of the “American Dream”, yet so many factors influence in their quest to be able to reach this final goal. Social class, economic situation and media persuasion are direct influences within our society to mark barriers on whom and how we can achieve our maximum aspiration of “making it big”. Nevertheless the opportunities are available for all, with management of our resources we can all make it even though the struggle for some is graver than for others. The articles “Serving in Florida” by Barbara Ehrenreich, “Class in America” by Gregory Mantsios, and “Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumptions” by Diana Kendall serve as ideal examples of how misleading society has grown to portray an unrealistic image that cannot be reached by all.…

    • 1138 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    After World War II ended, many expected the times of The Great Depression to return. Surprisingly the United States economy experienced a boom because of consumer demand. President Dwight Eisenhower encouraged Americans to take advantage of the country’s new found wealth. Television became more popular with families along with the desire to own homes in suburbia and higher education. The American people became interested in new gadgets, electronics, and the most significant purchases of that time, homes and cars. These purchases fueled the economy even more, and led to new opportunities for careers and wealth. The Americans relished in this new lifestyle. It became known as the “American Dream.” (The Post War Economy, n.d.)…

    • 1914 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ap English Essay

    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The main point of this essay is to show the variety of aspects in success in the American culture. This essay was meant to emphasize that although success does have a definition; it is based on how people view success, and on how they determine a person successful. In this paper, I explored educational, political, and financial success, and incorporated which one was determined as the most important by many of my peers, as well as adults, both male and female. In my personal research on January 29, 2013, it has been determined that many people believe that others in our society are successful, according to their finances.…

    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Americans will never be satisfied. An unfulfilled black hole of void echoes their stomach. Why does the nation think everything is a necessity? In comparison to other countries, America is by far the greediest. Although Americans may be seen as ambitious, the crave for more of unwanted clutter is disgraceful.…

    • 344 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Red Inequality In America

    • 1170 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Everyone in America has the opportunity to succeed financially, however, this opportunity is not equal for everyone. One's social class, income, and education all factor into their opportunity to succeed. If you are on the lower end of the spectrum it may not just require a strong work ethic to succeed you may also need some sort of luck or talent in order to do so. Social class can help people get a head start to reaching financial success but it can also hold people back. It may affect the quality of education one receives which in turn may result in higher/lower income. Everyone has different obstacles to face in life but these obstacles are not impossible to overcome. Financial success would mean you are able to keep yourself and those dependent on you alive and secure, you can pay the bills, and have some degree of upward mobility. All Americans have…

    • 1170 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Since the birth of America in 1776, the driving force and the heart of America has always been the “American Dream.” To most people, The American Dream means having a cheerful, happy and successful life. According to the Declaration of Independence, founders established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Today, we are able to pursue happiness. Nevertheless, the quality of life in America has certainty had an impact on families. There are around 45 million people who fit poverty guidelines today. The average salary per person is 26,695 dollars (“TheBudget”). However, the life changing stories of people starting from the bottom first then achieving greatness is common in today’s society.…

    • 928 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I agree having the opportunity to be anything you want with hard work and dedication is what makes America great. You mentioned how advertising plays a huge part in our decisions and that true we are easily led to buying the next big thing. It is so easy to get sucked into the latest fad because everyone is doing it or everyone has it. For example, the whole Pokemon game I could believe how people were walking around chasing an imaginary thing. This blew my mind.…

    • 86 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    After a countless number of wars, the United States of America continues to progress throughout time. No revolutionary, civil, or world war can penetrate deep enough into America’s heart. What could possibly be the answer to America's success? Is it the estimated eight thousand nuclear warheads the United States carries in its arsenal? Or is it the American diet (full of Whoppers and Big Macs) that provides the nutrients to power our soldiers? Neither of these are the reason for America’s constant improvement. The truth to America’s success is through acts of terrorism.…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays