American Dream

The American Dream (English American Dream ) denotes the can in the American society for generations held belief that every person who works hard and be Acquired or savings to good use, to " work up " or can lead a good life. To this belief the idea that you ( " starting from zero " ) without start-up capital can thereby gain wealth belongs. Even the proverbial expression " From rags to riches" is for this belief.

The basic idea of the "American Dream" is part of the Declaration of Independence. It says that the population unjust rulers - were meant, among other things, the English King - settle and may give its own political order itself. While absolutist rulers in 18th century Europe, people still oppressed by force, the U.S. Constitution ensured the people 's inalienable fundamental rights, including the right to resistance against the government. Only then could one of the most basic human rights are guaranteed: the pursuit of happiness (English pursuit of happiness ). The term " American Dream " was coined during the economic boom of the U.S. in the first half of the 20th century and prompted many expatriates to move to the United States.

The "American Dream" is a frequently recurring theme in the modern Anglo-Saxon art, for example in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, The American Dream of Edward Albee, of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck or América ( original title: " The Tortilla Curtain " ) by TC Boyle. Films like Pretty Woman or The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the idea of ​​the "American Dream". Directors such as Dennis Hopper, David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch and Ang Lee sat in her films critical of the "American Dream" apart.

The " American Dream " is based on the idea that the U.S. is a meritocracy and meritocracy. Recent studies on social mobility, however, show that the achievable social status of people in the U.S. depends a great deal more of his family of origin and their social class, as is the case for example in Western Europe. Equal opportunity is not given. The reason for this is the sharp increase in economic inequality led.

Definition and conceptual history

The "American Dream" is not precisely defined. It is based on the dreams and desires of different people. These are similar in terms of certain elements; about the objectives can be divided into individual and national values ​​.

The desired properties should be moral integrity, fairness, honesty, hard work, ambition and perseverance.

The national level should focus on a social order that enables every citizen to realize his full potential - whatever its social, economic or ethnic background.

The basic American values ​​of individual freedom, self-reliance, competition, equality of opportunity, hard work and success can be called the principal elements of the "American Dream".

The term "American Dream" goes back to the American writer and historian James Truslow Adams. He used it first in his book The Epic of America in 1931 "American Dream" was very quickly to a fixed formula, because the idea had long been widespread.; E. Hemingway presents him in contrast to " American Nightmare " in To Have and Have Not (1937 ): " ... Colt or Smith and Wesson; Those well -constructed implements did end insomnia, terminate remorse, cure cancer, avoid bankrupcy and blast at exit from intolerable positions by the pressure of a finger; Those admirable American instruments so Easily Carried, so sure of effect, so well designed to end the American Dream when it Becomes a nightmare ... "

History

Reinforced after the founding of the United States at the end of the 18th century saw many millions of people their best and only chance in the emigration to the United States, perhaps because they home of their religion or political views because were persecuted or had to accept disadvantages. Since the 19th century the emigration swelled to the United States in several waves enormously (see here). The majority of the newcomers took this risk to themselves, to escape poverty and lack of opportunities at home.

This black African in contrast to the situation of the Indians who lived on the territory of the United States and ever suppressed or exterminated, and millions of slaves who had been taken against her will to North America, and their descendants. Exacerbated by the modern racism, the situation of these populations was increasingly desolate and hopeless.

Ethnicity and " American Dream "

By Immigration America has become a country that includes many different ethnic and national groups. Many immigrants came to America with hopes that were part of the American Dream. The American Declaration of Independence is overwritten with the pursuit of freedom and happiness. This was often rejected in the countries of origin of emigrants. Often, the dreams were not as easily accessible as thought.

In the United States today there are a variety of different ethnic groups, each with a different view of the "American Dream". The vision of the "American Dream" differs from person to person, but there is a general consensus, which includes the "American Dream". The origin of a person dominates the view of the "American Dream" and the view, how to realize it.

After Josh Sides of the "American Dream" for African Americans in the first place was to escape the ghettos, where they were forced to live. They wanted to escape from this untamed environment with rising crime and move to the safe suburbs of the city. This they wanted to achieve, for example, by their children should break through the education cycle of poverty. Jennifer Hochschild (2001) says that African Americans pursue in this way the "American Dream".

Black intellectuals and militants reported in the 20th century back the conformity of the "melting pot " (Eng. melting pot ). At the present time you will find much more the conformity of the " salad bowl ". It describes the interaction different ethnic groups ( Hispanics, African Americans, American, ... ), but in which each retains its own individual characteristics.

In the early and mid- 20th century, the "American Dream" has been expanded to owning their own home, pushed by the National Association of Real Estate Agents.

Education and the "American Dream"

Since the founding of the U.S. education was a prerequisite of success. Hochschild writes, " ... the American dream promises that all who live in the United States have the opportunity to succeed through their own efforts and possibilities. " ( Hochschild 2001:35 ) Many people believe that education is an important way to pursue the American dream. formation largely determined the professional ability of any person and the level of their income. it is now common opinion that it is impossible to achieve the objectives of the "American dream" without education. Education has become the basis, to pursue the American dream this purpose writes Hochschild: ".. schools are an estimated opportunity to teach children enough so that they can determine their own goals and gives them the opportunity to realize this " Here have to consider that not all public schools are equivalent in the United States. This leads to unequal opportunities and unequal level of income.

Examples include Jennifer Hochschild's article Public Schools and the American Dream ( 2001) and Heather Johnson's book The American Dream and the Power of Wealth: Choosing Schools and Inheriting Inequality in the Land of Opportunity (2006). Both Hochschild and Johnson write of public education to the role that compensate for differences. Both authors claim that by separation in public schools there is economic inequality, racial segregation and inequality of wealth geerbtem, which is in direct contrast to the American ideology of meritocracy. Therefore, according to Hochschild, would often come up against such public schools, the children of the working class and ethnic minorities for the first time on obstacles to achieve their dreams. These schools were not like, therefore, the resources but are the place to experience the Americans of the classes affected their first failures.

Hochschild believes that special education strategies can help to support children with unequal educational opportunities about to realize their goals of the American Dream, especially the desegregation, school choice, reform in school finance as well as requirements-based changes. The benefits of these changes are great, but the power over it is in the hands of America's rich people who do not consider these changes to be necessary.

Social class and the "American Dream"

Americans see their society as a happy decide based on performance in the personal effort and skills, how successful you are in life So many Americans also believe that the individual can self- determine his fate. Here, the "American Dream" is focused on individualism, about to gain prosperity. Evidence shows that hard work does not guarantee success alone, yet it determines the position of a man in society. Johnson (2006 ), the "working poor" ( German: " working poor " ) as an example: They work hard all their lives and never gain wealth and success anyway.

Research has shown that social class is a factor that has a strong influence on the career of a person:

" The layer can form, captivate, has an impact on knowledge, beliefs, characteristics, motivation and character. "

In simple words, the social class placed people in various positions that affect either before or detrimental in their pursuit of the "American Dream". Poverty reduces opportunities and can be a major obstacle to success. Therefore, the class influenced to a very large extent the way perceive the people and how much they realize the "American Dream".

Wealth and the "American Dream"

Because the United States itself proudly as a society see that " ... all its members assured that completely independent of the circumstances of their birth with hard work and determination all have the same opportunities in life " (Johnson 2006:102 ), this assures performance -based system to all men, that they compete on a fair and equal field that allows everything to have the same chances in the race for the "American Dream".

No one or no group is placed above or below a / another. Everyone has the right to equality. The actions and behavior of a person directly affect their rewards or punishments. But is that really always the case? According to ' Johnson (2006) and her book The American Dream and the Power of Money ( The American Dream and the Power of Wealth ), there is a direct contradiction between the ideal of the "American Dream" and a performance-based company. Performance has, but not to do with wealth with income and the path is learned, already distributed.

The "American Dream" of Martin Luther King

As mentioned above, the concept of the "American Dream" does not refer necessarily to material values ​​. It is thanks to the largely widespread individualism of the "American Dream" that it is necessary to address a way of life, on the other hand the realization of idealism, which is reflected in ideas such as equality, justice and fraternity: Values ​​that Martin Luther King in 1963 as the highest good warned us in his speech "I Have a Dream" in Washington.

Movies

• Easy Rider (1969 )
• The Last Hero in America (1973 )
• The Great Gatsby (1974 )
• Scarface (1983 )
• Death of a Salesman (1985 )
• American Dream (1990 )
• Pretty Woman (1990 )
• O Pioneers! (1991)
• Forrest Gump (1994 )
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ( 1998)
• American Beauty (1999 )
• Route 66: An American Nightmare (2004)
• The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
• There Will Be Blood (2007)