The 19th and 20th century rapid industrialization
brought with it, a shit from the original path to
American dream. The ideology of hard work was gradually replaced with get rich quick philosophy. Today there are three ways most American believes are their passport to the realization of the American dream. The television shows with large prizes, jackpots with state lotteries and compensation from lawsuits. These are just but seductive strategies that are highly elusive. But the question remains; how to achieve the American dream.
The answer to achieving the American dream can only come from individual definition of the dream. Many think that a religious paradise or racial equality as Martin Luther dreamed would make them realize their American dream. Many scholars have tried to evaluate the American dream from various angles, but one consistent factor and component of the dream has been unidentified as money. The American dream is highly associated with capitalistic tendency of most Americans. The ability to buy big cars, houses and to be independent overshadows everything else. You will be successful if only you own these or that. Then, how do you achieve these? For those who have fallen into the trap of market surveys of seducing people to believe in game shows, lotteries and lawsuits as their path to instant wealth , it is good to remind them that the founding fathers insisted on hard work, industry and labor ideology as the way to the American dream.
The original ideology of the American dream to many was not through instant gratifications and extravagant wealth. The founding fathers believed in economic independence and financial gain that came from social advancement. In early 19th century as industrialization was taking root in the country many Americans faced great hardships due to changing economic landscapes. Stories of rags to riches through hard work were plenty. Many believed their American dream could only be achieved through hard work discipline and saving. The religious Protestants work ethics were highly promoted hard work as the only way to success and revelation of Gods grace.
This work ethic of the early American gradually started shifting with introduction of industrialization. The values of work changed significantly with introduction line production and requirements of skilled labor. The Second World War and introduction of consumer world further changed the original philosophies of success. More and more Americans were swallowed into the material world of consumerism. Consumerism changed the American dream and the American from believes in individuality, thrift, craftsmanship and hard work to desires of material good, acceptance and social status. It is not lost to observers that these changes have not increased the desire to achieve the American dream but have deluded people. People think just being in America, you are entitled to the American dream, rather than accepting you will only achieve the dream through hard work. Many American do not see their future based on hard work and success but are deluded by massive marketing of wealth obtained through cheap, quick and easy means.
Today the American dream, the road to success and financial stability is taken more as mater of luck than hard work. Financial independence being the greatest component of the American dream, most Americans would like to achieve their dream. What means to use to achieve it lies in the ethical foundations of the American nation. While many covet the dream through easy means and thereby undercut the ethical core values that established the American dream first, Americans have not lost the aspirations of realizing their dreams. This can be shown through critical analysis of the lotteries, television shows with large wining money and the number of lawsuits for money that many Americans are pursuing.
By Agnes G https://www.braviaresearch.com/
brought with it, a shit from the original path to
American dream. The ideology of hard work was gradually replaced with get rich quick philosophy. Today there are three ways most American believes are their passport to the realization of the American dream. The television shows with large prizes, jackpots with state lotteries and compensation from lawsuits. These are just but seductive strategies that are highly elusive. But the question remains; how to achieve the American dream.
The answer to achieving the American dream can only come from individual definition of the dream. Many think that a religious paradise or racial equality as Martin Luther dreamed would make them realize their American dream. Many scholars have tried to evaluate the American dream from various angles, but one consistent factor and component of the dream has been unidentified as money. The American dream is highly associated with capitalistic tendency of most Americans. The ability to buy big cars, houses and to be independent overshadows everything else. You will be successful if only you own these or that. Then, how do you achieve these? For those who have fallen into the trap of market surveys of seducing people to believe in game shows, lotteries and lawsuits as their path to instant wealth , it is good to remind them that the founding fathers insisted on hard work, industry and labor ideology as the way to the American dream.
The original ideology of the American dream to many was not through instant gratifications and extravagant wealth. The founding fathers believed in economic independence and financial gain that came from social advancement. In early 19th century as industrialization was taking root in the country many Americans faced great hardships due to changing economic landscapes. Stories of rags to riches through hard work were plenty. Many believed their American dream could only be achieved through hard work discipline and saving. The religious Protestants work ethics were highly promoted hard work as the only way to success and revelation of Gods grace.
This work ethic of the early American gradually started shifting with introduction of industrialization. The values of work changed significantly with introduction line production and requirements of skilled labor. The Second World War and introduction of consumer world further changed the original philosophies of success. More and more Americans were swallowed into the material world of consumerism. Consumerism changed the American dream and the American from believes in individuality, thrift, craftsmanship and hard work to desires of material good, acceptance and social status. It is not lost to observers that these changes have not increased the desire to achieve the American dream but have deluded people. People think just being in America, you are entitled to the American dream, rather than accepting you will only achieve the dream through hard work. Many American do not see their future based on hard work and success but are deluded by massive marketing of wealth obtained through cheap, quick and easy means.
Today the American dream, the road to success and financial stability is taken more as mater of luck than hard work. Financial independence being the greatest component of the American dream, most Americans would like to achieve their dream. What means to use to achieve it lies in the ethical foundations of the American nation. While many covet the dream through easy means and thereby undercut the ethical core values that established the American dream first, Americans have not lost the aspirations of realizing their dreams. This can be shown through critical analysis of the lotteries, television shows with large wining money and the number of lawsuits for money that many Americans are pursuing.
By Agnes G https://www.braviaresearch.com/
