By Zamone Perez
A professor is arguing the traditional idea of the “American Dream” has fallen out of reach in modern times.
Recent polling mirrors his view, as more than half of Virginians, and people across the country, said they are “worse off” now than a few years ago.
Mark Rank, professor of social welfare at Washington University in St. Louis, said economic security, personal fulfillment and hope for a better future are all key parts of the dream, which people assumed they could achieve through hard work. Rank noted stagnant wages and big cost-of-living hikes have dampened their optimism.
“This idea of more and more people falling behind in terms of the American dream really explains a lot of the disillusionment, a lot of the frustration, a lot of the anxiety that people are experiencing in this country today,” Rank observed.
A poll by Virginia Commonwealth University found nearly six in 10 people were concerned about the cost of living and inflation, as prices on goods such as gas continue to rise.
More than half of Americans also voiced concerns economic growth in the U.S. does not benefit everyone equally. Rank pointed out improving equal opportunity through investments in education, child care and health care will be needed to make the American dream more attainable.
“I think we absolutely can do that,” Rank asserted. “But what we really need is the political will. That’s the problem. There’s a lot of gridlock; nothing seems to be getting done. And we need to move forward, especially thinking about the 250th anniversary of this country and where we want to go in the future.”
Ultimately, Rank emphasized hope for a better future is essential. Without it, he added, the nation is at greater risk.
“When you lose the belief that you can achieve the American Dream, then your life is, in many ways, it’s over,” Rank underscored. “That idea of having that optimism and having the reality out there that yes, you can achieve the American Dream is so important to the fabric of this country.”
