ReImagining The American Dream
- Mai Ryuno
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
I recently read the local newspaper article about the American Dream: Panetta Institute survey reports college students believe less in the American Dream
The survey results, gathered from 809 college students across the nation, highlighted concerns about the cost of living and the state of American democracy. A significant 75% of these students believe it will be harder for them to achieve a better life than their parents and realize the American Dream (Valadez, Monterey Herald, 2025).
What's the American Dream?
The concept of the American Dream dates back to the Declaration of Independence, which emphasizes the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness. Over the years, this idea has shifted in response to historical events, economic changes, and cultural movements.
After World War II, the American Dream became closely associated with the ideal of suburban living, complete with economic prosperity and the nuclear family model. Millions sought to attain home ownership and secure jobs, buoyed by a booming economy. Yet, as we fast forward to today, the narrative has changed dramatically. Issues like economic instability and social justice have come to the forefront.
I was interested to learn that James Truslow Adams, who popularized the term "American Dream" in his 1931 book, The Epic of America, defined it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."
Adams emphasized that it wasn't just about material wealth, but a "social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position." It's quite interesting that Adams, despite being born into a wealthy family, was concerned that the American Dream was becoming too focused on "money making and material improvements" and losing its "Quality and spiritual values." I thought that this statement itself was the author's dream for a better future for all Americans.
As an immigrant from Japan who moved to California over 20 years ago, my childhood dream was to make friends all over the world. I chose the United States as a place to fulfill my dream because I came to the country as an exchange student when I was in college and experienced its diverse society. I was eager to learn more about the country and meet its people, and I believed that living here for a while, rather than just visiting, was essential to truly understand it. Coming from a country where differences between people are not as significant as in the United States, the diversity was exciting. However, as I became a part of this society, I have witnessed the opposite side of diversity: challenges people face due to differences in their backgrounds.
According to the Panetta Institute survey, students' top concerns are the cost of living/inflation and healthcare. Additionally, 55% of students felt American democracy is not functioning as it should, a nine-point increase from last year's survey and a historic low.
These findings led me to ponder: Is the American Dream in the 21st century primarily defined by a lower cost of living, accessible healthcare, or higher wages? And to what extent is the government responsible for its achievement?
The American Dream Today
I also came across another survey about the subject from The Sine Institute of Policy and Politics at American University that explored young Americans' evolving concept of the American Dream. The survey, which included 1,568 individuals aged 18 to 34, suggests that "while young people still believe in the idea, they view it differently than previous generations." (Wilson, Close Up, 2023) The survey highlights happiness, freedom, and meaningful personal relationships as the core components of this reimagined American Dream.
Additionally, 62% believe their lives will be better than their parents', with the notable exception of having a functional and effective government. Young people think that to pursue the American Dream, education as well as friends & family are important sources of support, but they see the current political circumstances as an obstacle.
Dreams for Future Pathways
Dreams often feel like a privilege, particularly when the demands of daily life make it difficult to look beyond our immediate reality. However, it's also challenging to fully separate dreams from our current circumstances, not only physically but also intellectually.
I was fortunate that my parents introduced me to the idea of pursuing education anywhere in the world, emphasizing that I didn't need to study solely for practical reasons. While online classes make global education seem common today, this was in 1980s Japan. I remember asking my teachers for information on overseas schools, but they advised me to attend local institutions, lacking the resources to explore international opportunities. Without guidance, I followed their advice and graduated from junior high and high school in my neighborhood. However, I dedicated myself to studying English, preparing for the day I would find my path to realize the dream and earned a BA in English Letters from a university outside of my hometown, yet still within the country.
Left: Tiny Me playing with a tripod | Right: College I attended in Kyoto with New England style building
Fifteen years after first sharing my dream with my parents and teachers, I finally moved to California. At that point, I had a new dream to become an artist, which may have stemmed from my mother's unpursued dream, perhaps inspired by her constant doodling and unique design perspective.
While becoming an artist was my aspiration, my initial step of attending a community college in California was also driven by a simple curiosity to learn more about art and to make friends outside of Japan. In a way, these two dreams combined to shape my path and provided motivation for learning.
The Sine Institute survey also revealed that "making your own path" is the most resonant image of the American Dream for young people today. This suggests that young people have a wider array of dreams for their future, and achieving personal aspirations is increasingly vital for a nation's success and development.
Education for Free Dreaming
However, if young people's dreams are limited to daily life fulfillment, we may not have a generation equipped to address larger community, societal, and global issues. Securing basic needs, such as access to jobs that provide a comfortable income, is crucial for their physical well-being. Simultaneously, education can broaden their perspectives, encouraging them to think about their community and the world beyond their immediate experiences.
I witnessed the power of this firsthand while working as an educator in the recovery and revitalization of communities affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. We asked students to envision their ideal future communities. To realize these dreams, young people and adults collaborated on community action, development, and creating positive change. The imagination of these young people brought hope and unity to their communities.
Empowering the next generation to achieve their version of the American Dream means giving them the chance to dream freely and act boldly without fear of making mistakes. It's about encouraging them to discover and pursue their true aspirations with the support of adults.
Education should be a space where young people can dream without the immediate pressure of practicality, before entering the "real world." It should also be a place where they learn how to turn those dreams into reality. Art can help them practice this, as creating art begins with the artist's imagination and dream, bringing something new into existence from nothing.
Nurturing imagination and creating space for free dreaming can be a powerful tool for students' personal growth, creativity, and shaping alternative realities, even amid daily challenges. If young people can cultivate the ability to imagine and dream freely beyond current reality, and gain confidence in their ability to manifest those dreams, they can transform those imaginative dreams into the changes needed to create a better future for themselves, their wider community, and the world.
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