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From the 1950s through 1980s, a central part of the American Dream for young men was to work and purchase an automobile such as a muscle car, then date a girl with it, get married, and have a family. The emasculation of culture has undermined that sa
The '''American Dream''' is the easy availability of upward mobility for Americans. It means an open society with a general upward trend in social status for the majority of citizens and their descendants. This contrasts with a tightly-structured society in which the status of one's ancestors determines one's life chances, or in which government planners make all major social choices (see [[Socialism]]). For those who like to worry, the idea that the American dream is fading away for the middle class has been a common trope for over 75 years, including today, and has never been true.<ref>David Brooks (a conservative) and Gail Collins (a liberal), debate "Is the American Dream Over?," [http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/is-the-american-dream-over/?ref=opinion ''New York Times'' Dec. 9, 2009]</ref>
The '''American Dream''' is the easy availability of upward mobility for Americans. It means an open society with a general upward trend in social status for the majority of citizens and their descendants. This contrasts with a tightly-structured society in which the status of one's ancestors determines one's life chances, or in which government planners make all major social choices (see [[Socialism]]). For those who like to worry, the idea that the American dream is fading away for the middle class has been a common trope for over 75 years, including today, and has never been true.<ref>David Brooks (a conservative) and Gail Collins (a liberal), debate "Is the American Dream Over?," [http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/is-the-american-dream-over/?ref=opinion ''New York Times'' Dec. 9, 2009]</ref>
From the 1950s through 1980s, a central part of the American Dream for young men was to work and purchase an automobile such as a [[muscle car]], then date a girl with it, get married, and have a family. The emasculation of culture has undermined that salutary dynamic.
==Origins of the phrase==
==Origins of the phrase==
James Truslow Adams (1878-1949), a conservative historian, was the first to name "the American Dream" and interpret it as the full realization of human potential:
James Truslow Adams (1878-1949), a conservative historian, was the first to name "the American Dream" and interpret it as the full realization of human potential: