The idea of the “American dream” is that anyone in the US can achieve success through hard work and determination. It’s been around for over a century and has formed a crucial part of American culture and ideology, but only about half of Americans today think the American dream is even possible anymore.
Is the American Dream Still Possible?
In a survey of 8,700 US adults, the Pew Research Center found that Americans are split over whether the American dream is actually possible to achieve. Fifty-three percent think it’s still possible, but a whopping 41% think it was once possible but is not anymore. Six percent believe it was never possible.
Belief in the American Dream Differs by Demographic
When looking at race and ethnicity, the numbers look about the same as the general population: about half think it’s possible, and half think it once was but no longer is. With Black Americans, however, there’s a notable difference. Only 35% of Black people surveyed think it was once possible but no longer is, compared to 41% of white people, 47% of Hispanic people, and 42% of Asian people.
Black Americans are about twice as likely as those in other racial or ethnic groups to say that the American dream was never possible.
Still Working Toward Achieving the American Dream
However, when asked whether they’ve achieved the American dream or are on their way to achieving it, significantly fewer Black and Hispanic Americans think they’ve achieved it compared to white and Asian Americans:
- 39% of white Americans say they’ve achieved it
- 15% of Black Americans say they’ve achieved it
- 19% of Hispanic Americans say they’ve achieved it
- 34% of Asian Americans say they’ve achieved it
Black (48%), Hispanic (47%), and Asian (46%) Americans are more likely than white (29%) Americans to say they’re on their way to achieving the American dream. Education level also matters here; only 21% of college graduates say it’s out of reach for them, while 35% of non-college grads feel it’s out of their reach.
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