The American Dream: Is It Within Our Reach Without an Education?
Everyone in America has high hopes of achieving the American dream, whether it’s by owning and operating one’s own business, having a family, or seeking higher education. However, there are obstacles put in place to encumber your hopes and goals – hurdles that can’t be overcome by just being the strongest person you can be.
When did women come to a point that they were satisfied being completely ordinary, not wanting to reach for more success or a more enriching life? Women have come to the conclusion that writing a memo for a boss making five times more than they are is completely fulfilling, especially considering they spent four years in college getting a degree in business along with attending night classes to improve their typing skills.
This brings me to the fact that if you are coming to America with the high hopes of obtaining the American Dream, is it necessary to have an education? In my case, college did not prepare me for the business I owned and lost for the sole reason of our weakening economy and lack of social structure. I had no tools to arm myself when the business started to falter. My American Dream was ripped from my clutches and all of the money that I spent in college to prepare me for this moment just felt like a big waste of time. And so the question remains that if you want to achieve the American Dream, is it necessary to have a college education? According to past practices and present situations, I say absolutely not.
The American Dream is simply characterized by complete financial stability. According to Robert Longley, a writer for US Government Info, adults aged 62 and older (23%), those from 45 to 61 (29%) and adults aged 23 to 44 (26%) cite financial security; only 5% of 18-22 year-olds did the same. Being financially secure drives the perception of the American Dream for African-Americans and Hispanic adults .
According to Amnesty International, a publication introducing us to the life of girls in Haiti, gender based abuses have the effect of denying girls their right to education-including sexual violence-only serving to reinforce discrimination, inequality and poverty.
Most Americans believe that the American Dream is becoming harder to achieve due to social restrictions and class discrimination. A survey, conducted in August by KRC Research, found that more than one in three Americans feel that they are not living the American Dream and nearly half think it is unattainable for them. In all actuality, the US government makes it even more difficult to achieve the American Dream. From the personal experience of owning a business, success is not defined by the amount of education that you received, but it is clearly defined on how deep your pockets are and who you pay to back you when times get tight and costs get higher.
It used to be that the American Dream was reachable for mostly anyone that wanted to work hard, even without a college education. Around the 1950’s, mom and pop business’s were popping up on every street corner. These small establishments were built with a platform that emphasized personal attention and reasonably priced goods and services. There were shoe repair stores, clock shops, dry-cleaners, diners, and laundromats that were all independently owned by families that operated for years and years, until they would pass down the business to family members. It wasn’t a college education that helped these individuals obtain their goals, but a drive to achieve the American Dream, which was much easier to obtain back then since the government wasn’t lurking behind every corner, trying to capture your last dime to cover taxes and impact fees for a city that would never use them.
Unfortunately, times kept changing and corporate companies and franchise establishments were popping up on every corner, and the small businesses were few and far between. Places like Tijuana Flats popped up when Brian Wheeler, the visionary and student, was given $20,000 to start a restaurant by his parents. Where was it that he obtained his education to run a restaurant? Surprisingly, Brian attended University of Central Florida where he specialized in bar hopping, partying at local restaurants, and marketing. Granted, this chain of Tex-Mex restaurants is thriving in communities offering overpriced burrito’s, simple and boring hot sauces, and let’s not forget the one bathroom that resides in the back of the crammed restaurant, provided for your inconvenience. However, it does give hope to the aimlessly lazy that there is life after high school, and it doesn’t include a fancy education at a Culinary Institute.
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Have you ever heard of Microsoft? This may just be the best drop out of college success story in the world. According to Microsoft, a computer company started by Bill Gates in 1974, Gates attended Harvard University where he initially met his future business partner Steve Ballmer. Gates never had a concrete study plan while at Harvard, but he did see a ripe opportunity to start a computer company in the summer of 1974 when he saw the release of the MITS Altair 8800 based on the Intel 8080 CPU (Microsoft 2002). Gates dropped out of Harvard, much to the surprise of his classmates, and the rest of the story is history. This just goes to show you that deep pockets can buy the American Dream.
Access to education is limited to many societies because of social restrictions and poverty levels. However, regardless of these cultures believing that education is necessary to obtain the American Dream, there is no control over the ability to obtain these resources.
In fact, the Haitian government “tends to rather trap children in a situation where they have no rights, they are subjected to inhumane treatment, without regard to health, education or personal development” (Amnesty International Publications 17). Haitian mother’s put a strong emphasis on higher education much more so than American parents, whom actually believe that a high school education is much less important than a college education. According to a survey prepared by Public Agenda and released nationally by several independent nonprofit organizations, the results are a “towering 87% of Americans who believe that a college education has become as important as a high school diploma used to be. And three out of four Americans (76%) think that there cannot be too many people with education and training beyond high school” (1). In my case, I was ill prepared for what lay ahead even though I went to a highly valued educational institution that tried to emphasis bettering one’s self by obtaining a job that paid big bucks.
Haitian women still see this country as a rising super power and a way to break the mold of a typical housewife, which in their country is a common profession and sometimes the only option. These women don’t dream about becoming rich. They dream that there is a life outside of being raped by their own fathers and law officers. A life that is free from bloody palms where they spend hours on end in the cane fields. These women dream of an education to obtain the American Dream, where their accomplishments can be admired and praised by a country that still considers all individuals as equal.
An education for these women is a gift, something all individuals should not take for granted. Americans have become so caught up with personal gain that they forgot about what this country truly stands for. This is the land of opportunity, so outlined by the inspirational figures of our past.
I believe that this is a country that no longer reaches out to the citizens and asks for advice on how decisions should be made. This is a country that steals money from educational budgets to build highways so more immigrants can flood the country in order to receive more discrimination from our own government. Something has gone horribly wrong in America and I just don’t believe that people are aware that our rights to the golden key have been shut down, not by access to higher education, but by corporate monsters and criminals that have the access to all resources in the country.
So where does that leave us? And where does the American Dream fit in when it comes to an education? Unfortunately, Americans have become so obsessed with the fact that if there is a way to make money without spending 4 years in college, they will find it. Although, Americans are willing to make sacrifices to send their children to college regardless of their wishes, but they would like the colleges and universities to do a better job of keeping tuition low without cutting quality. This situation is becoming increasingly difficult considering the institutions are trying to provide a quality and reasonably priced education without cutting salaries for qualified instructors.
Students from low-income families often find it hard to afford the expenses and forgone earnings associated with pursuing a college education, and immigrant families are considerably more likely than the general population to be living in poverty. More than a third of Latin American immigrants, for example, earn incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. The low-income status of any immigrants may be compounded by the need to send remittances back to their countries of origin (Longley 1).
There is a great divide between who can afford education and who really deserves to receive it. More importantly, many of the individuals that can afford it are dropping out to start their own businesses; whereas the majority of the population cannot afford to do so. In fact, I believe that Americans think that the gateway to the middle class is by going to college. Since the definition of the American Dream is defined by financial stability, Americans and immigrants believe that obtaining an education will pay them enough money to start a business in this country or buy a home. However, the point that everyone is missing is that the structure of our society is set up so that the poor will fail, no matter how many business classes have been taken or seminars have been attended. There is no right path or set of instructions that will guarantee success in this country.
The only choice to be made is to take the path less traveled and have faith that at the end of the road you will find your answer.
A road has ended
a new one has opened its path
for a chance at something new
because things never last~~~ Lauren Axelrod
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User Comments
Lauren Axelrod
On May 12, 2009 at 8:29 am
I wanted to start out the discussion by saying that this piece is my personal experience dealing with my business and the hurdles that just can’t be jumped.
Mr Ghaz
On May 12, 2009 at 9:08 am
Fantastic!..Great post!..well written piece and very informative article…must read..nice pics too..well done and thanks for sharing this great stuff
Joe Dorish
On May 12, 2009 at 9:39 am
The number of Harvard MBA’s who have run companies into the ground is a very very long list.
Miss Cellania
On May 12, 2009 at 9:59 am
I must have missed something. This seems to be a rant about how unfair life is, but then you use the term “Socialist Drivel”. Socialism tries to level the playing field for those who don’t have the advantages and opportunities others do.
Lauren Axelrod
On May 12, 2009 at 10:13 am
Hi Miss Cellania,
Nice to see you here. Socialism, much like the rest of the country, doesn’t mean what it used to. Now a days, the country is structured by the Socialists thinking that the power should be concentrated equally amongst themselves and not the poor.
Rant it my be, but it’s real life. This is what’s happening to the middle class business owners and anyone not able to obtain education because of poverty levels.
This is about the American Dream, and if it means anything anymore. People that are not affected by the present economy can hardly have an opinion on the matter, meaning government and anyone making close to a mill. a year.
Katie
On May 12, 2009 at 1:32 pm
“This just goes to show you that deep pockets can buy the American Dream. It’s quite alarming to come to the realization that this country is controlled by a Socialist society.”
“Now a days, the country is structured by the Socialists thinking that the power should be concentrated equally amongst themselves and not the poor.”
Do you have a source for these claims? As a socialist making $20,000 a year, I find your statements ridiculous. It’s apparent that you don’t know the first thing about socialist theory.
“Students from low-income families often find it hard to afford the expenses and forgone earnings associated with pursuing a college education, and immigrant families are considerably more likely than the general population to be living in poverty.”
This is true, so it’s a nice thing that free, publicly-available education is a tenet of socialism (see the 2nd chapter of Communist Manifesto — something which you ought to have read before writing anything about ’socialist drivel’ or else you really “can hardly have an opinion on the matter”).
Your piece is well-written, and it does have some good points. But your misuse of the word socialism is a glaring, ignorant error that has more to do with some personal bias than with anything approaching actual fact.
Lauren Axelrod
On May 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm
“Do you have a source for these claims? As a socialist making $20,000 a year, I find your statements ridiculous. It’s apparent that you don’t know the first thing about socialist theory.”
In all actuality, the true Socialists are the one’s making the real bucks in the country, and being that your salary falls in the bracket of the people that get the short end of the stick, you should fully understand why you’re making the money that you are.
Furthermore, this piece is structured around the American Dream and the fact that certain people have the control to deny us that right.
Socialism is controlled by the countries elite, and when I stated the government and anyone making over a mill a year, you can’t really relate according to your salary.
You can have a stance or certain ideals that fall under the old Socialist ways, but let’s be honest, you and I both know it doesn’t work that way anymore, otherwise all people in this country would be equal.
Socialism doesn’t level the playing field for the middle class, it divides the money between the individuals who are in control like the elite and the government.
Most of my Socialist ideals come from Professors of Philosophy and Government, the rest is based on the American Dream and whether it’s attainable with the present economic restrictions.
I appreciate your opinion Katie.
Katie
On May 12, 2009 at 6:06 pm
“You can have a stance or certain ideals that fall under the old Socialist ways, but let’s be honest, you and I both know it doesn’t work that way anymore, otherwise all people in this country would be equal.”
You would have an argument with this if America was a socialist country. It is not, and the suggestion that it might be is ridiculous.
Lauren Axelrod
On May 12, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Just because someone in this country told you that we live in a democracy doesn’t mean it’s true.
Just because the constitution states that we have rights as citizens of this country, doesn’t make that true.
There is a small group of individuals that defines your life and how you live it each and everyday. Who is that? The Government.
I must say, you seem completely satisfied with the state of the economy and your current financial state. If it was up to you, would you want to make more money? Do you think you deserve it?
There seems to be an very evident age difference between us considering your point of view, which is fine. We all have different perceptions of the US, however I have personally experienced the inner workings of this country, and I can tell you this.
This country, no matter what the textbooks say, no longer belongs to the people.
DA Cournean
On May 12, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Your last comment Lauren, is the sad truth.
Lost in Arizona
On May 13, 2009 at 12:20 am
Just popped in to read some articles of late, and has this one really ruffled some feathers. It’s funny to think how so many individuals are ready to stand by a country that is supposed to be based on “democracy” considering the constitution was only based for certain individuals, and that certainly didn’t include minorities or women. And as far as the economy works, it only works for those individuals that are making the bucks, while everyone else is trying to struggle to make ends meet. And I’m with you on education. It did nothing for me but put me in debt, and the only thing that has got me through it all is the drive to succeed and be an example to my girls to know that no matter what, they can make something of themselves despite what this world may be based on. So I say Miss Lauren, rant on, because you could not have put a more well formulated piece together.
Katie
On May 13, 2009 at 12:25 am
Lauren Axelrod, I do appreciate your responding here, but I have to wonder where you get the words you’re putting into my mouth.
I have not defended America, its government, the status quo, the economy, or any other number of things. The one thing I have said is that you are defining socialism improperly, and seem to be laboring under the delusion that America is a socialist country. I think we likely agree about a majority of things; it’s your frankly bizarre definition of socialism that I take issue with.
Kate Smedley
On May 13, 2009 at 3:33 am
Very interesting article Lauren which has definitely provoked strong reactions. College doesn’t prepare you for the realities of running a business, I’ve worked for myself for 15 years as I hit the ‘glass ceiling’ in industry so I realised if I was going to make it it had to be my way – the road less travelled if you like… but the realities of business are challenging and the current economic situation makes it harder for everyone with people losing homes everyday, through no fault of their own….I don’t know enough about socialism to comment constructively and I don’t want to rant.I thought this was a very well written piece and I’m sorry to hear you’ve had problems in business. As for education, the state system in the UK is – with a few exceptions – terrible. If you have the money you can buy it but if you don’t, tough, it’s a lottery, so I think your comment that the poor are set up to fail has some truth in it. Thanks for this, sorry to ramble.
Jo Oliver
On May 13, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Lauren,
Great topic, and you presented your experience and stance wonderfully.
I usually totally agree with you. This is no exception, other than a few points.
First, I 100% agree that “America” is moving more and more toward a socialist state. However, we do have control over that. WE elect our local officials, gov’s, Sen’s, Rep’s, Pres, etc…. to reflect our ideals. As long as we continue to elect and embrace people like Pelosi, Reed, Obama, etc..(that clearly reflect socialist views) then we are to blame even more than they are.
As to US education, I very much disagree with you on the poor. Take my nursing class. It started with 30 students. All but me and one other white student received pell grants and gov assist. In other words, their tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, etc… was all paid for. We were also the only two that didnt live in gov housing or get free board at school. The gov even gave those with kids X amount for childcare. The other girl and I had to get student loans and still work to pay for cost of living. So, in reality it is easier for those that are poor or unwilling to pay their own way….than those that come from moderate incomes and try to work. I find it ironic that only 8 of those that the gov pd their way graduated.
Education is not essential to the American dream….but common sense is. The reason the American dream is failing isnt because of a lack of MBA’s, but because of greed and dishonesty on the part of the biz and the consumer. The days of a hand shake and paying your bills are a thing of the past. The reason mom and pop biz could make it is because they operated on good faith, and people respected and honored their word. Now, biz is so worried about loosing a dollar, and consumers are so worried about getting over on someone for a dollar, that neither can be gainful. My grandmother and grandfather both had surgery while my mom was a child. Neither could work, much less pay their pharm bill. The Pharm gave them the med’s for 6 mo on good faith. They never forgot the trust and kindness of the pham, and paid back every cent. In fact, when my grandmother died, her instructions were to pay the pharm before anyone else got a dime.
Well, that is my two cents. Sorry for the rant.
goodselfme
On May 14, 2009 at 1:25 am
I always learn from your articles. You post them in such an order it seems as though people can just sit and talk with you about what you have stated.
In this day and age, we no longer are in charge of anything much. Our Senators are lifers and we don’t seem to mind, as a society in general, to throw the lot out and start anew. Until our voices are heard we are heading down the perverbial tubes.
marisolflamenco
On May 14, 2009 at 9:11 am
Great post!
Chris Stonecipher
On May 14, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Great post Lauren. It appears as time passes, many people with college degrees end up taken jobs that don’t reflect their level of education. Some of these jobs fit much better with high school graduates. The same with Master’s degree, taken jobs that much a level of a Bachelor’s degree.
Brian Daniel Stankich
On June 6, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Interesting topic, Lauren. I think the American Dream is, has been, and always will be a panacea. The definition you mentioned is related to financial security. If that is how people define it today, that is quite fascinating, because the AD used to include peace, family, contentment, and don’t forget the white picket fence. In reality, financial security is also mainly unobtainable, as the wealthy have so many problems and encumberments that are attached to the wealth. Brian
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