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From its origins in 1931 to today's economic realities, the American Dream is under scrutiny. We break down the numbers and find out why younger generations are losing faith, citing the cost of living, housing, and student debt as major roadblocks.
Transcript
00:00Is the American dream over?
00:02The term American dream was first used in a 1931 book by historian James Truslow Adams.
00:07Adams defined the concept as a better, richer and happier life for all our citizens of every
00:12rank, a vision that quickly became part of the American psyche.
00:15But according to a recent poll, only a quarter of Americans still believe that anyone can
00:20achieve the American dream, and only half think that such success is possible for the
00:24average person.
00:25The generational difference was stark, while 68% of boomers said they felt they had achieved
00:30their own version of the American dream, only 33% of millennials said the same.
00:34The cost of living was cited as a major obstacle to getting ahead, followed by housing costs.
00:40Gen Z respondents were particularly concerned with the impact of student debt.
00:44According to the Wall Street Journal, the new American dream for some citizens is to no
00:48longer live there.
00:49US citizens are emigrating in record numbers.
00:51In 2025, more people left than arrived for the first time in almost a century.
00:56Gonzalo Schwartz from the Archbridge Institute think tank says this isn't a big surprise,
01:00given the bleak picture often painted in the media.
01:03He said if people are constantly told that the country is irredeemable, that its obstacles
01:07are permanent and that hope is naive, they will eventually believe it.
01:11We were all excited to have a difference in their vision for their own fear and fear.
01:11This is why there is a big surprise.
01:11We certainly love it.
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