The American Dream and Education
Reza Ameli
The American Dream and Education What we call the American Dream, the founding fathers called the pursuit of happiness. The American Dream is built on the promise that individuals from all walks of life can find success and prosperity here. It shapes from our opinions, desires, interests, cultures, geographical locations, and religions. Some presume the dream of becoming an engineer, a medical doctor, an athlete, a politician, or even maybe following their father’s footsteps and carrying on the family tradition of owning a restaurant. Sometimes, achieving this success is associated with the conception of receiving an education, especially a college education. The common debate of today’s society has always been whether college education will bring you success in life (or be the stepping stones of success in life?). Of the forty three men who have been the President of the United States, twenty four of them graduated from a private college, nine graduated from a public college, and ten did not graduate from a college. Since 1869 every president of the United States has had a college degree except President Grover Cleveland from his poor eye sight and President Garry S. Truman from his family hardship. These men knew that the power of education would direct them on the path to excellence and to become the leader of a great nation like the United States. Thus, in the quality conscious twenty first century, having a college degree is mandatory to lead a successful life in this country. The very purpose of education is to empower the students with life skills that enable them to contribute positively to society. We need college to learn the necessary skills and knowledge to satisfy life’s demands. The effects of college education are clear in student’s success. Judith A. Gouwens, in her book Education in Crisis explains “Many educators believe that the purpose of getting a college education is to develop productive citizens who are prepared to
The American Dream and Education What we call the American Dream, the founding fathers called the pursuit of happiness. The American Dream is built on the promise that individuals from all walks of life can find success and prosperity here. It shapes from our opinions, desires, interests, cultures, geographical locations, and religions. Some presume the dream of becoming an engineer, a medical doctor, an athlete, a politician, or even maybe following their father’s footsteps and carrying on the family tradition of owning a restaurant. Sometimes, achieving this success is associated with the conception of receiving an education, especially a college education. The common debate of today’s society has always been whether college education will bring you success in life (or be the stepping stones of success in life?). Of the forty three men who have been the President of the United States, twenty four of them graduated from a private college, nine graduated from a public college, and ten did not graduate from a college. Since 1869 every president of the United States has had a college degree except President Grover Cleveland from his poor eye sight and President Garry S. Truman from his family hardship. These men knew that the power of education would direct them on the path to excellence and to become the leader of a great nation like the United States. Thus, in the quality conscious twenty first century, having a college degree is mandatory to lead a successful life in this country. The very purpose of education is to empower the students with life skills that enable them to contribute positively to society. We need college to learn the necessary skills and knowledge to satisfy life’s demands. The effects of college education are clear in student’s success. Judith A. Gouwens, in her book Education in Crisis explains “Many educators believe that the purpose of getting a college education is to develop productive citizens who are prepared to