The familiar concept of the American Dream arises from the false belief that hard work, grit, and ample determination will always allow one to overcome humble beginnings and obtain profound success. Hyperpatriotism encourages U.S. citizens to ignore the faults of the country and blindly grasp for an unattainable reality while believing they can succeed by themselves. Although individual achievement can occur, data regarding social mobility in the United States proves that a multitude of other factors play a role in determining the economic winners in our society. Furthermore, careful analysis shows that many “self-made men” received generous help on their path to prosperity.
Social mobility, or rather, the lack of it, has become a rapidly growing problem in American society. As something few experience, the luxuries of the elite remain exclusive for only those born into the upper echelon of status. A meager 19% of American adults were considered “upper-class” in 2016, only 1% higher than the amount in 2001. Worse, the percentage of adults in the middle class has dropped 2% since 2001, which equates to about 5 million residents (United States Census Bureau). This data goes to show that few people can rise in our social hierarchy, making these rags-to-riches stories seem even further away from reality. Few people can realistically rise above their inherited status, especially when compared to other countries.
When viewing the percentage of children who end up earning higher wages than their parents, the U.S. falls near the bottom of the list. Researcher Robert Manduca and his coworkers concluded that only about 55% of U.S. children have higher earnings than their parents at thirty. This number pales in comparison to European states like Norway and the Netherlands, which boast 75% as of 1980. Great success typically derives from already wealthy businessmen, as in the case of Elon Musk.
Elon Musk, the eccentric billionaire and founder of Tesla, does possess a drive for success. However, he was not the sole component of his astounding achievements. First of all, Musk comes from a wealthy background. He did not come from the depths of society, struggling on his climb to the top. Errol Musk, Elon’s father, states, “We were very wealthy.” The money was so abundant that “at times we couldn’t even close our safe” (independent.co.uk). Growing up rich gives people a significant head start in obtaining wealth.
Having money offers many resources that impoverished competitors do not have access to. Improved education at private schools costs a large sum of money, and only those in the upper classes can afford elite education. Education brings many benefits by itself such as improved decision-making and more options in terms of undergraduates and careers. Musk attended multiple private high schools along with prestigious colleges such as Stanford and Queen’s University. These opportunities boosted his education, as well as his resume. Elite schools provide more than just education. In fact, “59.4% of Yale University’s Class of 2016” acquired jobs with the help of the Yale Career Strategy Course (ivyleagueprep.com). This does not apply exclusively to Yale, though, as many other top colleges offer help with career choices that less prestigious academies do not.
Furthermore, Elon Musk did not actually found Tesla. That honor belongs to both Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, who co-founded the electric car company we know today. When Musk took the position of CEO, there had been 3 before him. Musk met the two at a “gathering for Mars Society members” which developed a bond between them based upon “their shared love of space exploration” (cnbc.com). Once Musk joined Tesla, they began expanding, which marked the start of Musk’s success. His story further proves how rising up in our society does not depend on your individual actions, but instead on a multitude of factors that range from upbringing to connections with others
Although seemingly impossible, The American Dream has become a reality for some. Achieving it takes more than hard work and determination. Without many lucky opportunities and people to help you along the way, the American Dream is just a pipe dream.