American Dream

American Dream refers to the cultural ideal that individuals can achieve success and upward social mobility through hard work, determination, and perseverance, regardless of their social or economic background. In sociology, the American Dream is analyzed as both a motivating force and a contested concept. While it promotes values of meritocracy and opportunity, critics argue that systemic inequalities, such as racism, class barriers, and unequal access to resources, often limit its attainability. Sociologists examine how beliefs in the American Dream shape social behavior, economic aspirations, and identity. The concept also reflects broader societal tensions between individual agency and structural constraints.