Did you know that about 37.9 million people are in poverty? In 37.9 million people that are in poverty, about 6.3 million people that overworking themselves actually stay in poverty? (BLS Reports, September 2022) The American Dream is a promise that no matter who or how you are, you can achieve greatness and success if you work hard enough but that’s bogus. The “American Dream” promised equal opportunity and success yet millions of civilians lead a low-income life and struggle to get by.

Firstly, the intergenerational economic upward mobility has declined in recent decades, making it harder for low-income families to improve their economic status. Research shows that children born around the 1980s have half a chance of earning more than their parents did at the same age which is a big drop from those born in the 1940s. (Chappell) This decline is linked to rising income inequality, with the rich households experiencing high wages while wages for low-income workers decrease. Additionally, limited access to quality education and well-paying jobs continues to pause or slow down upward mobility. Talking about these challenges is important to restoring the promise of the American Dream for future generations.

Second, the decline in economic mobility is influenced by multiple factors. Economic mobility depends on factors like household income, education, job opportunities, neighborhood, and social connections. (Wilson) Kids in low-income families sometimes don’t get good education, making it harder to get better jobs. Where you live matters too. Poor areas with fewer jobs and resources can limit opportunities. Having connections can help by providing jobs and support. All of these factors work together to determine how easy it is to influence how you live and how much money you make. The American Dream, which promises equal opportunity for all, is often smashed by the system we have, lack of education, and limited resources. These barriers affect communities, making it more challenging for them to achieve upward mobility. While the system inequalities and limited access to resources make it harder for many to achieve the American Dream, it’s not entirely out of reach. There are still examples of individuals overcoming poverty through education, hard work, and community programs. A study and a survey from Raj Chetty begged to differ when he decided to do a test on whether people that got help with their financial problem had a better life and income than people who were told to just do it themselves. Well, the families that got that additional support made a huge difference. In the controlled group where they were supposed to find their own houses, only 14% of families moved into good and high-opportunity areas. Yet in the group that got that support, their number doubled more than the ones who had to figure things out by themselves. Half of the reason why families aren’t doing well financially is because of the type of neighborhood they’re living in. 

Lastly, the wage gaps between men and women can greatly affect how children live with separate parents. There’s an economist, Evelyn Murphy, who predicted that over 47 years of work, the wages were widely different.  The wage gaps for highschool women, college graduates, and professional school graduates increased 20% each milestone. Plus, there’s a theory that women who are domestic workers or child care workers are underpaid. The latest statistics show on average, women earn about 20% less than male workers. The reason was because nobody thought that women would actually work in the workforce so they underpaid them to go back to being a housewife. Then the Equal Pay Act impacted the wages of both men and women and the gap slowly started to close. (Woods) 

Therefore, the “American Dream” is only a dream that’s out of reach. The “American Dream” can only be obtained for the rich and wealthy while the poor have little to no help. Despite the opportunities America offers, many still struggle to make ends meet because of low wages, high costs, and inequality. This shows that the system isn’t always fair and doesn’t always provide equal chances for everyone. To make the “American Dream” real for everyone, we need to work together to create more opportunities for all people, no matter where they come from. It’s time to fight for a country where success is possible for everyone, not just a few. Let’s take action to make this dream a reality for all.