The American Dream is dying because the government hinders businesses, people are losing faith, and less people are willing to sacrifice.
This was an essay I wrote as a part of a "Mid-Year Assessment." Not sure if it was a school district-wide thing or just my school. The score was released on 02/13/2020, so the exam most likely took place in January or early February. I got 80% on the multiple-choice and 100% on this essay. The teacher comment I got was "Overall, great essay. I really like your final sentence."
I feel the need to clarify that whatever 13 years old me wrote in this essay does not reflect my current political beliefs, obviously. My thesis was whatever argument I thought would be the easiest to write and defend given the limited time. Regardless, this essay isn't about what I personally think of the American Dream anyway, it's an assessment of if I know how to write a good argumentative essay. And evidently, I think I did okay for an 8th grader :P Although my reasoning is... ineffective, to put it lightly, at least it's clear that I know how to structure an essay: introduction, thesis, topic sentences, evidence, analysis, and all that jazz.
In the article "Is the American Dream Dying?" By Diana Sroka Rickert, the author wrote about the government being the barrier that is blocking individuals from reaching the American Dream and how society suffers from it. The American Dream is not about guaranteeing the outcomes, but the opportunities offered which anyone that sacrifices and works hard can earn the success they have wanted. However, the chance of achieving the American Dream is much less than it was decades ago. The American Dream is dying because the government hinders businesses, people are losing faith, and less people are willing to sacrifice.
One reason, as to why the American Dream is dying is that the government gets in the way of individuals who tried to perform their plans. In the article, it is stated that "1 of every 3 U.S. workers needs government permission before they are legally allowed to work." There are various regulations and rules to overcome; "hundreds of thousands of dollars in professional fees" and a huge amount of time applying and gaining certain licenses are required. These situations troubles individuals who want to start a company or pursue an idea. Small businesses have a hard time trying to start up and grow. The starting line has raised, people no longer believe that they can reach success with only $100 in their pockets. The enormous amount of time and money required has stopped a lot of people.
Another reason that the American Dream is dying is people already gave up before they begin to pursue their ideas. Research showed that about 20 years ago, high school seniors felt that "hard work and determination would open the doors" to success. However, new research indicates that the current high school seniors believe "opportunities are handed out to individuals, rather than created by them." This generation is already lacking faith and hope in the American Dream before they even begin their adulthood. How can the American Dream still be alive if no one were to believe in it? All considered, no one is willing to sacrifice for a success that may never come.
Some people may argue that the American Dream is not dead, it just became harder to achieve. But the thing is, comparing now to then, less people are not[sic] willing to sacrifice and work harder; the American Dream is slowly dying. People would have to sacrifice, but this generation is spoiled---"about 50 percent of teens have ipohones[sic][...]have resources at their disposal." And yet, this generation is waiting for a miracle to happen upon themselves instead of sacrificing and charged with detemination[sic]. If less and less people are determined to achieve the American Dream, then it is dying
The American Dream is not completely dead yet, but it is slowly dying due to strict rules established by the government and the fact thar less people believe in it. Although most of these rules are necessary for justifiable reasons, this should not be the case that blocks people from achieving the American Dream. If no one in this society is willing to sacrifice for the success they have wanted, then we all suffer.