Does the American Dream still exist?

The American Dream: longing for nothing within the best country in the world, or to simply be „in a New York state of mind” as Billy Joel used to sing. Surely, we’ve heard these catchy phrases before but does Gen Z really believe the American Dream is still achievable? Whilst this generation may still dream, the American Dream’s meaning certainly has changed over the years.

Originally, the American Dream simply promised a country in which people had the chance to work their way up through their labour and creativity. Immigrants often flee the entrenching class-based societies of their homelands for the United States in the hope of obtaining land and gaining freedom.

Nowadays, it seems, that the concept of the American Dream has changed. Paradoxically, it doesn’t have to necessarily involve being in the US. This dream inevitably manifests itself in many different forms: for some, it is an urge to succeed or to study and work abroad, for others, it is getting married, starting a family, or owning a business.

It is said that the American Dream is a rigged lottery that no one wins, but everyone plays. Even Jay Gatsby famously failed to achieve it. His dream was to win over his idolized trophy wife, Daisy. Thus, he relentlessly pursued what he did not have: material wealth. In the process, he lost himself and missed out on his dream. But is it wrong to imagine and dream of a better life? I hope not, but you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.