The American Dream

The notion of the American Dream indicates that with hard work and determination anyone can achieve success. The meaning of success and what it entails may be different to many people. Although many individual are given some sort of opportunity in which guides them towards a path of success, success in America in not guaranteed.. Our society is built upon the idea that men and women are supposedly being treated as equals, but why isn't this true? The answer to this question is because in our society race, sex, and class divisions determine success. The more fortunate individuals strive off the idea that the United States is the land of unequal opportunity, leaving minorities such as women, people of color, and those born to poverty with the odds against them

Although many neglect to seek certain opportunities and take advantage of what is offered, that is not true for everyone because not everyone is offered the same opportunities. Social class in the United States is one topic that is not heavily discussed and is often avoided because the meaning of class has been removed from popular culture. On the contrary of popular belief, the controversial issues of class distinctions do in fact exist and also shapes and influences the lives of many people. In the article, "Class in America," Gregory Mantsios displays that the economic outlook for most Americans is dependent on the class they were born into. He also uses obtained information and statistics to prove that the type of education and the future of your career are associated to the environment you were brought up in. One belief portrayed by the American Dream is that the United States is essentially classless, and the differences that do exist are not due to economic standing because regardless of your economic standing everyone is offered equal opportunities by the law. But this belief, along with many painted by the American Dream is a mere myth. All Americans do not receive the same, equal opportunities, people do not pick to be poor or to struggle with their everyday lives because they are not offered any other options besides: low paying jobs with insufficient healthcare and lack of benefits. Mantsios states, "People do not choose to be poor or working class; instead they are limited and confined by the opportunities afforded or denied them by a social and economic system."(316) He also gives sufficient evidence indicating that men and women are not created equal, and that race and gender significantly influence