Dark Clouds Over the American Dream
For generations, the idea of the American Dream has inspired millions across the United States: the belief that hard work and talent can open the path to success. Immigrants have crossed thousands of miles, drawn by the promise of opportunity. But a recent survey suggests that faith in this ideal is fading.
According to a joint survey by the Wall Street Journal and NORC Center, nearly 70% of Americans no longer believe that success is guaranteed through effort alone. Only 25% feel confident that they can improve their standard of living. Since the survey began in 1987, public confidence has never fallen this low.
Rising economic inequality, escalating education costs, uncertainty over healthcare, and stagnant wages have left many Americans deeply disillusioned. Once, factory workers in the cities and farm labourers in rural America believed their children would have a better life. Today, that hope is waning.
From a taxi driver in New York to a farm worker in California, the question is the same: “Will my children have a better future than I did?” For many, the answer is unclear.
While there is some variation between Democrats and Republicans, the sense of disillusionment is widespread. The survey indicates that almost 90% of Democrats and more than half of Republicans now feel that the American Dream is no longer achievable. Political speeches still reference the ideal, but for many, it has become an empty slogan.
Even as some recent economic indicators show modest improvement—with about a quarter of voters rating the current situation as “good”—everyday realities paint a different picture. Rising rents, student loans, and healthcare costs continue to strain households, while the gap between income and expenses grows.
For immigrants, the American Dream was once the greatest motivator. People from Bangladesh, Mexico, and Africa came hoping that hard work would ensure a better future for their children. Today, even that belief is eroding. Despite the sacrifices of the first generation, there is no certainty that the next generation will prosper.
Across American society, a single question now dominates: what will become of the next generation’s prospects? Will the American Dream be reborn, or is it destined to remain a story of the past?
The erosion of a long-held belief—that effort leads to success—threatens not only the economy but the social fabric itself. The challenge is no longer just economic; it is philosophical. Can the American Dream inspire a revival, or is it merely a lost vision of hope?
