The American Dream: Equality In The United States

Intro: The American dream is a controversial issue when it comes to the question of whether it is alive and running, or if it is a dying hope that eludes the masses hoping for a better life. On one hand, one may argue that gas prices are down and people are making more than their parents (Bailey). But on the other hand, college debt is crippling Americans across the country and most Americans don't even have a months rent in reserve (A Dozen Shocking…). The American dream is an oasis for a select few lucky people, but it is a mirage for the majority America. Financial security, equality, and fair opportunity are luxuries that most can't afford in America.

P1: Equality is one aspect of the American dream that not everyone is receiving. Put simply, the American dream is about freedom,
equality, and opportunity for every person in America (The Definition of American Dream). Everyone wants to be treated equally and to be given the same freedom and opportunities as everyone else, but currently, not everyone is getting the fair treatment they deserve. According to the U.S census bureau data, “In 2008, 55.9% of low-income high school students enrolled in college. By 2013, that number dropped to 45.5% (Jaschik).” Meanwhile, 78.5% of high income graduated students went to college in 2013 (Jaschik). It is a troubling thought to think that in just five years, over ten percent fewer students who came from poor families went to college. A factor of this may be because of the increasing cost to go to college. As the price gets higher and higher to go to college for one year, many students may be asking themselves if going to college is worth the substantial debt that is almost inevitable in today's search for higher education (Tuition and Fees and Room and Board over Time). The students who come from wealthier families are students who are more likely to be financially supported to go to college and, therefore, are more likely to go to college. The students who come from poorer families as seen in the data are much less likely to go to college. This is a serious problem that shows how not all American citizens get fair or equal treatment when it comes to education in America.

P2: Even the rich of today's society feel like they are unable to achieve the American Dream. An article written on BusinessInsider.com by Legg Mason stated that 64% of people who make at least $250,000 per household annually feel they are not living the American Dream (Mason). This means that even those who are in the top 4% think they are not living the dream they want (How close are you to the top 1%). The American dream has turned into something people think they can't achieve without their wildest dreams coming true. It is something that most Americans feel their living the American Dream if they are living in a big house and own a boat in a lake. In fact, according to USA today, it would cost the average five person family an average of $150,000 a year to live out the typical standards of the American dream (Gold). In today's society only 11% of the U.S population makes this figure (How close are you to the top 1%), and yet 21% of Americans consider themselves rich (Ingraham). 89% of America is unable to meet the financial number for achieving the American dream. With this in mind, it's easy to say that the American Dream is a Mirage for almost all of America.

P3: There are many people who see the American dream still working in lives today.
A large group who still believes in the American dream are immigrants. Many Mexicans fleeing “crime, drugs, corruption, and a troubled economy” and are “dissatisfied with the direction of their country” are seeing America as a great option to their problems (Most Mexicans see...). However, according to Pew Research Center, an organization that monitors global attitudes and trends, Four-in-ten Mexicans say they know someone who tried to cultivate into America but was unsuccessful in finding a job and returned to Mexico (Most Mexicans See...). In the end, they find that America may have jobs that pay better, but getting a job is harder than in Mexico. For those who do not have a job and may not speak English, there is not as much opportunity for them as a foreigner and therefore, is at a real disadvantage compared to white American citizens who were born in the USA. America is no longer a land that asks immigrants to “give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses (Lazarus). America is a land that is harder to assimilate to and that does not have equal opportunity for
all.

Conclusion: Being out of reach of almost all American citizens, the American Dream is a mirage, that tries to sugar coat itself into being something that it's not. College debt is weighing America down and preventing equality, while the standard of living the dream is becoming more and more of a far-fetched fantasy than a reality. On top of this, immigrants are finding it harder and harder to assimilate and find jobs in America. If the American dream really is gone then what does that mean for the future generations? What does that mean for your children? To put it plain and simple, it means a lot of work needs to be done if America wants to continue to be the land of opportunity. America needs to wake up and see the inequality facing its citizens and do something about it before it's too late. We need to respond to the sobering idea that the American dream has slipped from our grasp and is in need of recapturing, so all Americans can enjoy the cornucopia of great success that America should have to offer.