Pew Research Center Most Think The American Dream Is Within

Pew Research Centermost Think The American Dream Is Within Reach For

Pew Research Center “Most think the American dream is within reach for them.â

By Samantha Smith October 31, 2017 Despite persistently low levels of public satisfaction with the state of the nation, most Americans say they have achieved the “American dream†or are on their way to achieving it. Only about one-in-five (17%) say the American dream is “out of reach†for their family. The American dream means different things to different people, however. Far fewer Americans say “becoming wealthy†is essential to the American dream than say the same about personal freedom and a good family life. Overall, 36% of U.S. adults say their family has achieved the American dream, while another 46% say they are “on their way†to achieving it, according to an August survey by Pew Research Center . (The survey asked people about the “American dream,â as they define it.) People who say they have already achieved the American dream are generally older, more affluent and better-educated than those who say they are on their way to achieving the American dream and those who say it’s out of reach.

Whites (41%) are more likely than blacks (17%) or Hispanics (32%) to say they have achieved the American dream. But more blacks (62%) and Hispanics (51%) than whites (42%) say they are on their way to achieving it. Notably, there are no significant racial or ethnic differences in the shares who say the American dream is out of reach for their families. The partisan differences in impressions of whether people have reached the American dream are relatively modest: 41% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say they have achieved it, compared with 32% of Democrats and Democratic leaners.

Freedom of choice, family widely viewed as essential elements of American dream While people differ on the meaning of the American dream, very few – just 11% of the public – say “being wealthy†is essential to their own view of it.

By contrast, majorities say “freedom of choice in how to live†(77%), having a good family life (70%) and retiring comfortably (60%) are essential to their view of the American dream. Smaller shares say making valuable community contributions (48%), owning a home (43%) and having a successful career (also 43%) are essential to their view of the American dream, but relatively few (no more than 9%) say these are not important to the American dream. However, 40% say being wealthy is not important in their vision of the American dream, by far the highest share among the seven items asked about. There are modest educational differences in attitudes about what is essential to the American dream. For example, 87% of those with at least a four-year college degree say freedom of choice in how to live is essential, as do 82% of those with some college experience.

By comparison, a smaller majority (65%) of those with no more than a high school diploma say this. And while 15% of those with a high school education or less say becoming wealthy is essential to the American dream, fewer of those with college experience say the same (8% of college graduates and 9% of those with some college experience). Partisanship is not a major factor in these views. Across all items, there are modest or no partisan differences in views of what is essential to the American dream.

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The concept of the American Dream has long been a fundamental aspiration for many Americans, symbolizing the pursuit of prosperity, success, and upward mobility. Recent surveys by Pew Research Center reveal evolving perceptions of this ideal, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of achieving the American Dream in contemporary society. Despite widespread dissatisfaction with the nation's overall state, a significant majority of Americans believe they are either living the American Dream or on their way to achieving it, signaling perseverance amidst economic and social challenges.

According to Pew's August survey, approximately 36% of Americans feel their families have already attained the American Dream, while an additional 46% believe they are progressing toward it. This optimistic outlook persists despite economic uncertainties and low levels of national satisfaction, illustrating a resilient belief in personal and familial achievement. Notably, race and ethnicity influence perceptions of success: white Americans (41%) are more likely to report having achieved the American Dream than Black Americans (17%) and Hispanic Americans (32%). Conversely, Blacks (62%) and Hispanics (51%) are more likely than whites (42%) to indicate they are "on their way," reflecting differing pathways and perhaps disparities in access to opportunities.

Political affiliation also plays a role, with 41% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents stating they have achieved the American Dream, compared to 32% of Democrats and Democratic leaners. These differences, although modest, suggest partial alignment with broader ideological perspectives on success and opportunity.

While definitions of the American Dream vary among individuals, it is clear that core elements are consistently valued across demographic groups. An overwhelming majority emphasize "freedom of choice in how to live" (77%), "having a good family life" (70%), and "retiring comfortably" (60%) as essential components. In contrast, only 11% prioritize wealth as a central aspect of their personal vision of the American Dream, indicating a broader understanding beyond material riches.

Educational attainment influences perceptions significantly, with those holding a college degree or some college experience placing greater importance on personal freedom and lifestyle choices than those with a high school education or less. For example, 87% of college-educated individuals regard freedom of choice as essential, compared to 65% of high school graduates, demonstrating how education shapes the values linked to the American Dream.

Furthermore, the American Dream's contemporary interpretation emphasizes qualities such as trust, transparency, and kindness as essential in the pursuit of success. Glenn Llopis argues that the old paradigm—centered on opportunity availability—has shifted. Today, achieving the American Dream involves "earning" one's opportunities through a balance of knowledge and wisdom, as well as creating meaningful relationships and building trust in society and business. This view suggests that the pursuit of success now requires deliberate effort, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial mindset, especially in an economy where traditional safety nets and pathways have diminished or changed significantly.

Contrary to earlier narratives that government and big corporations were the primary enablers of opportunity, modern perspectives emphasize individual agency. Leaders and individuals alike are encouraged to develop skills such as innovation, reinvention, and strategic networking to create and seize opportunities. In this context, earning the right to opportunities—by demonstrating integrity, competence, and resilience—is central to the new American Dream.

In conclusion, the perception of the American Dream has evolved from an entitlement based on opportunity availability to a goal requiring deliberate effort and the development of specific personal qualities. Societal and economic changes have redefined success not merely as material wealth but as the ability to navigate complex landscapes through knowledge, wisdom, and entrepreneurial spirit. Thus, the modern American Dream embodies a broader, more nuanced aspiration that emphasizes earning, trust, and purposeful engagement as pathways to personal fulfillment and societal progress.

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