Literature and Education in the American Dream
“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Seuss. Literacy and education is incredibly important in America. At the heart of the American Dream, lies this most essential trait. This trait is deeply intertwined within the concept of the American Dream, as it is relied upon by all other aspirations involved in its achievement. Although it may not be a central pillar in the main components of the American Dream, literacy and education is truly the most essential trait. This is largely because the American Dream is nearly impossible to reach without it. Success of all other traits rely on an individual's literacy and education.
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Getting a good education helps get you a better job and better quality of life. Essentially, education makes individuals into who they are for the rest of their lives. Over the past few decades, the amount of schooling and importance of schooling has grown as education has become more easily accessible and necessary for careers. This idea is shown through the data from studies done on degrees and financial records. A census done by the U.S. government on education in the U.S population of individuals age 25 and older, shows that the high school completion rate increased from 87.6% in 2011 to 91.1% in 2021. The percentage of the population with associate degrees also rose from 9.5% to 10.5% between 2011 and 2021. And finally, between the same years 2011 and 2021, the percentage of people who had received a bachelor's degree or higher increased by 7.5%, from 30.4% to 37.9% (Bureau). These percentages show the incredible increase in the number of American citizens receiving higher levels of education. This is because many jobs, especially those involved in achieving the …show more content…
It provides power in certain times, it gives opportunity in others, and sets up those who obtain it for brighter futures and careers. Examples are even given as individuals chose to forgo their education and rather attempt a different lifestyle, leading them down a different path. One example of the way literacy and education provides power in the past of America, is shown through the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, credits his freedom to his literacy and education. He shared that it gave him the power to escape slavery. After he learned to read and write, he expressed, “From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom” (Douglass 32). This is one way that literacy and education is the most essential trait to the American Dream as it provides freedom. Another example of the importance of education for future success is portrayed in the video, Two American Families. In this video, the Stanley Family does everything possible to be able to afford sending their oldest son, Keith, to college. The parents express the value and importance of having an education, to set up the future for success and strong careers (Public Broadcasting Service.). This family believes strongly that education is an important factor in achieving the American Dream. One last example, in which circumstances did not turn out positively,
When college attainment improves, the tax base increases, reliance on social welfare programs declines, and civic and political engagement increases” (White). Even though it may seem obvious, in most cases it truly is very important to have a degree to be able to become successful. Despite some arguing against this, it comes down to the basics. A degree from higher education automatically gives that person an advantage in life. Whether it helps with job applications, housing, or just relief from worrying about money, an education is not just beneficial but becoming almost a necessity.
Susan B. Neumen’s main purpose or motivation in writing the article, “The American Dream: Slipping Away?” indicates that all children should be trained properly in education. Many people come to America because it captures opportunities and striving for better dreams. Even if they are in poverty or privilege everyone should be given the right resources to absorb and succeed. Although those who have achieve their dreams, the American Dream had become more problematic for many others to accomplish. Neuman also added research and statistics on parents and children in two neighboring cities how they are different.
Have you ever witnessed or experienced something that made you feel blessed, but also burdened from what you have learned? Frederick Douglass in “Learning to Read” and Malcolm X in “A Homemade Education”, both experienced the burden and blessing from gaining an education. Douglass was a slave in the 1800s and Malcolm X was a prisoner in the 1940s. Both men went through a great deal of trouble to gain knowledge in reading and writing. The knowledge Douglass and Malcolm X learned caused them great miseries in their hearts, but also gave them the freedom they deserved.
It is often said that this country was built upon basic principles that form the American Dream. These principles revolve around life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As Maya Lin once said about the American Dream,“To me, the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling. To be able to do what you want to do is incredible freedom.” Though these ideals existed throughout the country, many people still didn’t have nor did they ever get to experience the true american dream.
The Value of a College Degree Having a college degree is arguably one of the most important things you can achieve in your lifetime. In today’s society, it is getting much more difficult to survive without one. Most places of business that offer substantial wages and benefits require some sort of college degree. This is a problem for most people in the United States due to the fact that only 17% of the U.S. population has earned a college degree (Odland).
Although The Great Gatsby depicts the American Dream as prioritizing financial wealth, this concept may carry on a culture that is overly materialistic and ignores the structural limitations that exist in society. The emphasis of a more welcoming and just version of the American Dream would be on progression and accomplishments, and it would take structural impediments that hinder people from realizing their full potential into account. While pursuing individual achievement, the American Dream may also be seen as a path toward personal
Alex Ben-Gera 6/12/23 English Dr. Gaylord Prior to this class I had heard the term The American Dream before and didn’t really know what it truly was. I had once heard that it was the idea that every generation gets better and becomes more successful than the prior. When I heard this, I believed it was my job to become more successful than my parents in terms of wealth, having a bigger house and having more luxuries.
In recent years, the economy and job outlook has become super competitive throughout the States. With so many people seeking and applying for the same job, employers can only afford to hire a very small amount of people. As a result, they choose the best qualified applicant, which most likely means the applicant with the highest education. With competition increasing exponentially, it is becoming more and more difficult to find, let alone keep a job. That is why college is a necessity in today’s society.
The American Dream is the guarantee of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and self-determination through hard work regardless of social categorization, as seen through McCandless’s pursuit of happiness, while
soil and that it is achievable to all, McKinnon insists that the American Dream is surely possible when mobility, hard-work, and the fate of our birth is considered but I believe that being a hard worker is most important. Although I agree that is harder to climb to the top when you are at the bottom because of the lack of ability especially financially, in my view, I believe that hard work is important when it comes to living the American Dream because it is what kept our parents and grandparents to continue working even when they wanted to give up. Life is full of twists and turns. Everyone struggled here in this world to overcome every obstacle in the way to success. For this hard work is necessary and the results are always fruitful.
Through these values, their children garnered a strong work ethic and deep determination.” ( Perez 34). Through this, it can be concluded that individuals of higher socioeconomic status and lighter complexions pursue the american dream for the promise of riches and valuables while individuals of marginalized communities pursue the american dream for the attainment of a better life. From my personal experience and knowing families
Through this movie, it is important to take notice of how gender, education, class and traditional culture can influence a person’s journey to achieve the American dream. First, it can be seen that
The American Dream is so essential to our country as it is an honor to reach your goals and make it a reality. The American Dream is the national ethos that people’s lives would be better and more abundant with many opportunities. The American Dream was more accessible to attain back in the days, however, changed over the years. Although the “American Dream” is still possible, many people, minorities are affected by the lack of improvement in social mobility in our society. The American Dream is still alive by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and by obtaining it through perseverance and hard-work.
People dream of freedom. A freedom that can bestow opportunities, a freedom that can establish equality, and a freedom that can promote success—people dream of the American dream. Many pursue it believing that education is the primary pathway to achieving success, and through education and hard work they can lower barriers; thus, being capable of scaling upward in the social ladder. Sadly, this dream has been tainted by myths that are associated with education. For example, some people claim that education is the grand equalizer of society, so through proper schooling everyone has the same chance of move up the social ladder.
America is built upon the ideal that every citizen has an equal opportunity to success and prosperity through hard work and dedication. This is also known as the American dream. Many authors have speculated what is most important in grasping the American dream and through reading these stories it can be determined that success, happiness, and freedoms all play an important role in attaining the American dream. The American dream is historically unique because everyone American has the right to it.