Sunday, March 30, 2014

The American Dream of non-Immigrants

After having talked to Mayra, a girl who emigrated to America from Mexico, I decided to talk to some of my friends who were born in America about the American Dream. Two of them identify as male, one as female, all three are white and they all identify as middle or upper-middle class. 

Evan
How would you define the American dream?
Being able to live comfortably. Doing a job that you love.
Is the American dream attainable?
Yes but not for everyone. The way that our country is structured I don’t think it’s very attainable for fresh, new immigrants into America. Because they’re making minimum wage or below minimum wage and people who work for minimum wage are not able to live comfortably, they have to work like four or five jobs.
Do you think it’s easier to attain the American dream if you were born in America?
Yes. And it’s also easier to attain the American dream if your parents were born in America.
What economic class would you identify yourself as?
Middle class.

Conner
How would you define the American Dream?
Oh God. Umm. The pursuit of happiness.
Is the American Dream attainable?
Yes. But with difficulty.
Do you think the American dream is more attainable if you were born in America?
Yes. Very much so. You are given citizenship by being born here. You naturally are able to pursue the American dream because you are inherently American whereas individuals born in other countries have to work very hard to become American.
Are you living the American Dream?
I believe so. Because I am pursuing happiness. I don’t know what that means but I am pursuing it. I am trying to be the most happy I can be in this life.
Do you equate money with happiness?
I equate basic living standards, having enough money for basic living standards as a source of happiness. Beyond that I don’t think much will make me happier than what I have today.
What economic class would you define yourself as?
Upper middle class.

Kari
What does the American Dream mean to you?
Not being told what to do. Not being told how to spend my money. Being able to walk outside and feel safe. Being able to travel within my country without having to give reasons for going there.
Do you think the American Dream is attainable?
I think it is, yeah.
In what ways do you think would make it unattainable?
Not getting thrown in jail, being put on parole, being a sex offender. Don’t screw up your life by doing something stupid.
Is any of it based on things you don’t choose?
I think you choose stuff for a reason so if you choose A over B your American Dream will just be with choice A rather than choice B. Based on your decisions, your American dream will be different. You will have to accommodate.
Are you living the American Dream?
Yeah I think so. I think I would be living it through my parents because I’m not completely independent, but I think to an extent yet.
What economic class would you identify yourself?

Probably upper middle class.

I thought I would get a different view on the American Dream from people who were born in America than from people who weren't. But I have noticed than most people in my generation believe the American Dream is attainable, though they all acknowledge that it is much easier for people born in America and people have a steady, comfortable income. 

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