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Stephanie Helms

Newport

English 102

28 April 2013

How Has The Dream Changed?

“There are dreamers and there are realists in this world. You’d think the dreamers would

find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists but more often than not, the opposite is

true. You see, the dreamers need the realists to keep them from soaring too close to the sun and

the realists, well without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the ground” (Tumblr). This

quote exclaimed on the show “Modern Family” by Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet), expresses

the American Dream in a nutshell today in 2013. Moreover, instead of there being all romantics

and dreamers like in the mid-1900’s, there are now a mixture of romantics and realists who have

a different meaning in the American Dream today. Although others have the belief that the

American Dream is the same romantic vision that everyone can achieve with hard work and

dedication, it has a different meaning today than it did in the mid-1900’s. Furthermore, the

American Dream has shifted to reflect social changes, individualism and the media’s dominance

in defining American culture.

The American Dream is defined as: “The ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity

traditionally held to be available to every American” (“American Dream”). However, this

definition of the American Dream is incorrect because it is glorified. I would define the

American Dream as a romanticized idea where other cultures believed that they would prosper,

gain happiness and while coming to America have careers waiting for them. The key word in

my definition of the American Dream is, “romanticized,” meaning it never truly existed and was

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glorified. Overall, the stated definition encompasses the American Dream in the mid-1900’s,

whereas my definition covers the new dream of 2013.

Grandmother Greta’s Generation

The American Dream in the mid-1900’s is much different than it is today. The American

Dream was believing that through perseverance, freedom would be found upon coming to

America and one would become a success while having a job waiting for them. It was often that

the woman would be a stay at home mom, cooking and cleaning, while the man of the house

would be working and earning money for the household. For example, my grandmother Greta

fits into this category because she was born in 1932 and got married to my grandfather at the age

of 19. Upon getting married, my grandparents had five children and sure enough my

grandmother took care of the children while my grandfather worked all day to raise money for

the family. My grandmother did not even have a car, or a license; the only person who needed

that was my grandfather. While the kids were at school she cooked lunch to be ready by noon

and cleaned the house in the meantime. Overall, this is the typical nuclear family, “…an

immediate family that focuses on a married couple and their children” (“AmericanDream112”).

Furthermore, according to Michael Ford, the American dream used to be about, “57% home

ownership, 49% money in the bank, and 39% about living a better life than my parents” (11).

Not only that, but the American Dream used to be a one-size-fits-all dream that was fit for every

individual. Overall, the dream consisted of a nuclear family, one-size-fits all and was mainly

aimed towards home ownership.

Stephanie’s Generation

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In contrast, the American Dream in the mid-1900’s is now individualized and nuclear

families are less common. It is more common to hear of parents divorcing or having same sex

marriages – the nuclear family is rare. Also, “Today’s American Dream has the edge when it

comes to being: 75% (Individual) and 76% (Customizable)” (Ford 15). The American Dream is

much more individualized today, which is why there are so many types of different families

within households. “The American Dream is the ability to pursue whatever you want…and the

only obstacles we have are the ones we set on ourselves” (Ford 11). The dream today has no

limits, and homeownership is not the only item that defines the success of one’s dream. “Home

ownership used to be the “one big dream”…that is no longer so, Americans still aspire for

financial success.” (Ford 15). It is not about finances as much as it was in the mid-1900’s. 9The

Dream in the mid-1900’s was more focused on the nuclear family with a one-size fits all, where

in 2013 the dream is set towards individual needs and strays away from the nuclear family.

Economic Changes Then - Money, Women and Babies

Not only did the Dream move from a nuclear family to a same sex marriage, but the

dream changed socially through different class tiers. Moreover, according to Gabrenya, “We are

all of and in a social class” (1). In the mid-1900’s the economy began to reconstruct itself. First

off, the population sky rocketed, “…it soared by 28 million;…this increase yielded for more and

more younger couples beginning to start families” (“1950’s Economics”). With all of the new

families beginning, it closely relates to the increase in financial means.

With an increase in industrial investment the economy was in a good state of mind. “The

average yield in 1950 was 2.86 percent compared to the 4.73 percent average yield in 1960”

(“The Economy…”). In just ten years, the economy began to improve and grow. In the mid-

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1900s, financial means began to change, “…in pensions, this industry grew from $11 billion in

1950 to $44 billion in 1960…” (“The Economy…”). Furthermore, in relation to pensions were

credit cards. Credit cards became the normal way to pay in the 1950’s, “...they would just put

these items they could not yet afford on their credit card” (“The Economy…”). As one can see,

the decade of the 50’s created major breakthroughs for the economy. Also, most people were

expected to own a car and a house and believed their children would have a greater life than they

did. However, the economy did not just change, woman did as well.

Before the 1950’s woman had miniscule roles in society; stay at home mother who cooks,

cleans and takes care of her children while her husband comes home with the paycheck. This

began to change once the men went away to the war. “In 1957, 70% of working women held

clerical positions, assembly lines or service jobs. 12% held a profession and 6% management

positions” (“Women’s Roles…”). Woman began to become not so miniscule in the communities

eye. “From 1950 to 1959, the total number of females employed increased by 18%.” (“1950’s

Economics”). As one can see, woman began to take on numerous more leadership roles within

society – although it was only a small percentage,

it made a difference. Moreover, the numbers

began to increase in occupations such as, “law,

social work, engineering, and medicine”

(Cengage). Woman most definitely climbed up

the economic latter in the mid-1900’s, and not

much has changed in regards to today.

Economic Changes Now

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The economy is much different than it was in the mid-1900’s. Now, class defines where

one will go and how successful they will be in their future endeavors. “Economists say there is

no specific criteria for defining the middle class, though income level is the most common way

of breaking it down” (Mason). According to Rich Morin, there are 4 tiers of the middle class in

America (See Figure 1 above). The first tier is the satisfied middle class. “The Satisfied

Middle has everything but money; their comparatively modest incomes have not muted their

sunny outlooks or overall satisfaction with their lives” (Morin). In contrast are the top of the

class, “….Americans who identify themselves as ‘middle-class’” (Morin). Then, is the struggling

middle which is, “…composed of women and minorities. In fact, many members of the

Struggling Middle have more in common with the lower class…” (Morin). Moreover, then

comes the anxious middle class which, “…express many of the same bleak judgments about their

lives as those in the Struggling Middle” (Morin). The two most common types of middle class is

the “satisfied middle and the anxious middle” (Morin).

Other than the four middle class tiers, is the lower class, “One in three Americans are

now classified as poor or near-poor” (Jennings). As one can see, numerous people are stuck in

the lower class percentile. Furthermore, if one is born into the lowest percentile of income

quintile, which is, “sixty-five percent of Americans” will spend their lives in the lowest quintile.

(Jennings). However, the middle class is no better; it is the main class that often people become

stuck in. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Median household income in the United States

was $52,175 in 2008” (Mason). Furthermore, my family and I would consider ourselves middle

class – we always have. Not only have the stratification of class changed, but so have women’s

roles.

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Just like back in the mid-1900’s, woman are still climbing up in America. However,

there are still instances like important male figures and other obstacles standing in the way of

woman and their success. “Although more doors are open to women today, there seems to be a

"glass ceiling," a level above which women do not rise” (Kane). Since there are still obstacles

blocking woman, Meredith Viera, a news correspondent for ABC stated, “It is still a boys’ club

in a lot of ways” (Kane). (See figure 2) Furthermore, male figures can be degrading to woman

according to a female fire fighter in New

York City, “…initially encountered

resistance (and in the case of fire fighters,

downright cruelty) from male colleagues”

(Kane). As one can tell, with this

degrading theme from men, women get

caught in obstacles. However, things are

looking up for woman. While

interviewing a young 13 year old boy from

New York, Daniels stated, “he thinks a woman could be President, "If she's fit for the job, I see

no reason why not. Men and women are equal in intelligence” (Kane). If a young man can state

this, then soon enough the older men will be able to. Although women are encountering

obstacles now, later generation’s woman could maintain higher leadership roles.

As one can see, there were numerous changes in the mid-1900’s. Furthermore, there was

a growing population which then yielded to different money means. Not only that, but woman

began to rise up in the career World. Also, this is still true today, but there are still obstacles

holding back woman from certain “man-dominated” careers. Overall, different class rankings

Figure 2: In this cartoon, the father tells the daughter his office job is a man’s job.

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are presented today than back in the mid-1900’s. The show “Mad Men” really contrasts what

life is like today and how the American Dream is effected by the media.

The “Mad Men” are Far and Away

Television and media can affect ones view on the

American Dream. “Television has created an

impact in our lives, especially in family. It

portrays a picture of family and allows audience

to relate to the shows” ("Modern Family”). Not

only that, but in the, “…Late 1960’s…

Through hours of watching television, the

younger viewers learned and knew the

“language of cinema” implicitly. This

audience brought a new set of expectations and knowledge to the film-viewing experience,

referred to as “cineliterary” by some scholars (Eidsvik 1978)” (Levy 190). As one can tell,

television has made an immense impact on viewer’s lives since the mid-1900’s and is making an

even larger impact today. Two television shows, Mad Men and Modern Family are examples of

shows that portray the American Dream at different times.The television show “Mad Men” is set

in the 1960’s in Madison Avenue, New York City following the main character, Don Drapper

(John Hamm), while displaying his daily life, work, hopes, dreams and fears. According to

“Mad Men”: Stillbirth of the American Dream, “Americans are constantly in search of an

upgrade. It’s a sickness that’s infused into our blood…that’s instilled in us from childhood”

(Havrilesky). This truly describes the show because all the characters are constantly searching

for more. Moreover, “Mad Men” encompasses how one can have everything, and they still are

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not satisfied; numerous characters in this show are displayed as though they cannot seem to

grasp happiness or appreciation. For example, although Don (Figure 1) has a loving wife, Betty

(Figure 1), and a family, he cannot help himself by having an affair with his lover Rachel

Menken. Don is clearly looking for happiness in woman because he cannot find this with his

own wife, nor appreciate her. “Mad Men” is not so much about the growth of the American

Dream in characters. According to “Mad Men” and the Lost American Dream, “Mad Men,”

“….Is not about the nostalgic past and such lost pleasures as smoking. It’s about the unattainable

future” (Cohen). The reach for happiness is a continuous theme, and characters continuously go

through a vicious cycle of longing for it.

For example, in Season 3: Episode 3

“Guy Walks into an Advertising

Agency, Joann Harris, (Christina

Hendricks) says, “But that’s life. One

minute you’re on top of the world, the

next minute some secretary’s running you

over with a lawnmower” ("25 Best 'Mad Men' Quotes”). Happiness is never constant when

attempting to achieve the Dream. As one can see in Figure 1 (above), Betty nor Don look like

they are happy to see one another. As Don looks as though he is ignoring his wife, Betty just

wants to be appreciated; this ties into the unhappiness encompassed in their life. Also, “The

American dream itself is a carefully packaged, soulless affair” (Havrilesky). As one can tell, the

American Dream is much too romanticized and to achieve it one loses their soul. In contrast to

“Mad Men” is the movie Far and Away. The 1992 movie, Far and Away, directed by Ron

Howard takes a journey on the romanticized lives of Nicole Kidman (Shannon) and Tom Cruise

Figure 4: Shannon (right) sees Joseph (right) fight for the first time - she is shocked to see that he participates in matches just to receive money. (“Nicole Kidman”)

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(Joseph) on their journey from Ireland to America. “In the late 1800’s, people in many parts of

the world decided to leave their homes and immigrate to the United States. Fleeing crop

failure…and famine, many came to the United States because it was perceived as the land of

economic opportunity” (“Immigration to the United States”). Shannon and Joseph decide to

immigrate from Ireland to America for freedom, as well as better lives. However, the lengths

they had to go through was no dream; more of a nightmare. Joseph has to work as a boxer at a

local bar (Figure 2 - above), while Shannon has to work in the degrading conditions of a chicken

plucking factory. It is evident that this not what they planned for one another. “The ambition and

conflicted desires of these characters in their pursuit of happiness is what makes “Mad Men”

such a singular and resonant reflection of a particularly American puzzle” (Havrilesky). As one

can see, Mad Men and Far and Away are one because of the fact that the characters are overall

searching for happiness through the American Dream, but never truly find it. “Mad Men” is

closely related towards the American Dream in the mid-1900’s, where the show “Modern

Family,” relates to the American Dream today.

Not so Far and Away, but the “Modern Family”

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The show “Modern Family” is exactly what the title

entails; modern families. The show is described as, “…A

modern look at the current outcome of the American Dream”

("AmericanDream112). Not only is the show an outlook of the

Dream, but, “The producers in this show has given the society

an outlook of what a traditional modern family is through

television and sending a message to the public…that love is

essential to the formation of a good family” ("Modern Family”).

Furthermore, the show follows three families’ lives, all of which

are common families today as part of the American Dream.

“Jay, father of Claire and Mitchell, is remarried to a much

younger Gloria, mother of Manny. Claire and Phil have three children: Haley, Alex, and Luke.

Mitchell and Cameron, a gay couple, have one adopted daughter, Lily” ("AmericanDream112”).

Claire and Phil are raising three teens and their family is “…the perfect example of a possible

nuclear family” ("AmericanDream112”). In contrast to this family, is Jay and Gloria. “Jay and

Gloria represent the part of the population that has been divorced” (“Modern Family”). As one

can see, according to figure 5, 50 percent of marriages end in a divorce by the age of 30.

Moreover, as mentioned before, a nuclear family is “…an immediate family that focuses on a

married couple and their children” (“AmericanDream112). This family would fall under Claire

and Phil and their children. However, the not so nuclear family would

be Mitchell and Cameron the gay couple with their daughter Lily.

Gay couples are more common today in 2013, then ever before.

Out of three families, one is a gay couple; one is the closest to a nuclear

Figure 5: According to McKinley Irvin, nearly 50% of marriages end in divorce in the United States ("32 Shocking Divorce Statistics”). 

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family it gets, while another family has a character on their second marriage. According to

Politico, “About 9 million: The number of Americans who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or

transgender, according to a 2011 study…” (Associated Press). Not only this, but gay marriage

is not banned in all states, “9: The number of states that issue marriage licenses to same-sex

couples. The states are Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,

New York, Vermont and Washington” (Associated Press). It is becoming almost the norm that

others are engaging in same-sex marriages (figure 4), which is why there is a gay couple with a

young daughter on “Modern Family.”

In relation to Modern Family, is a short video about a gay couple, Estevan and William.

("Family Stories - Family Equality Council”). Similarly to Mitchell and Cameron, they also

wanted to adopt. They say in the video they have fathered three children, as well as fostered a

dozen children from Washington and New York. Moreover, Estevan begins expressing his

thoughts on what the ideal family would be and says, “…having one or two loving parents, it is

the idea that you would do anything for your child - your partner - and you understand why I am

here is so much more than just for me…but for these children…” (“Family Stories – Family

Equality Council”). Ultimately, Estevan and William can relate to Cameron and Mitchell.

“Adele and Allen Gottfried (1994) tell us that, ‘…It was not very long ago that our idea of a gay

man being a father seemed quite strange. Today, as our culture becomes more familiar with the

variety of lifestyles within the gay community, many of whom come to see that gay men can

make good dads too’ ("Modern Family”). Overall, gay couples are being portrayed in the media

with more of a fatherly light, as well as in the community. “Modern Family” is the epitome of

modern lifestyle families, which completely contradicts the show “Mad Men” and how nuclear

the families are on that television show.

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We’re Done – But it’s Not Over

Although others have the belief that the American Dream is the same romantic vision that

everyone can achieve with hard work and dedication, it has a different meaning today than it did

in the mid-1900’s. As one can tell, “Mad Men” mirrors the Dream in the mid-1900’s, showing

how media effects its definition. Moreover, the social changes and economy affect the

American Dream in the mid-1900’s as well. With the population increasing and woman taking

on more leadership roles and careers; “Mad Men” was not so much a mirror image anymore.

In contrast to the Dream in the mid-1900’s, is the Dream now. “Modern Family”

exemplifies the Dream today. Furthermore, the show exhibits the different types of families in

life today. Not only does media portray the American Dream, so does the economy and social

change in woman today. The economy is split into four middle class tiers, as well as lower class

and upper class. Moreover, numerous people are stuck in the middle class tier. The upper class

community was made up of men in the mid-1900’s, but now women are slowly but surely

climbing up to take up a man’s job.

When defining the American Dream I said the key word was, “romanticized,” meaning it

never truly existed and was glorified – this exemplifies the dream in the mid-1900’s, however the

Dream has greatly changed. There are realists today as well as dreamers today. And as Cameron

Tucker from Modern Family states, “…the dreamers need the realists to keep them from soaring

too close to the sun and the realists, well without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the

ground” (Tumblr). The American Dream is overall perceived in different ways and is constantly

changing. It has become a romanticized idea today and continues to change through different

individuals defining their own dreams. The American Dream will always continue to be

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influenced by social changes and the overwhelming amount of media in everyday life. So, where

will the Dream be in fifty years? Only time will tell.

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