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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]]).  The undermining of the American dream is an unspoken goal of [[Leftists]], but they have not yet succeeded.<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]]).  The undermining of the American dream is an unspoken goal of [[Leftists]], but they have not yet succeeded.<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 teenage boys and 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.

From the 1950s through 1980s, a central part of the American Dream for teenage boys and 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.  A fundamental difference between [[liberal]]s and [[conservative]]s is that the former opposes and dislikes the American Dream, while the latter welcomes and encourages it.

Some [[conservative]] politicians campaign for office on the American Dream.  "I'm a kid from a small town in Georgia who lived the American Dream, and I'm ready to fight to keep that dream alive for you too," [[Herschel Walker]] said in a campaign ad in September 2021.

Some [[conservative]] politicians campaign for office on the American Dream.  "I'm a kid from a small town in [[Georgia]] who lived the American Dream, and I'm ready to fight to keep that dream alive for you too," [[Herschel Walker]] said in a campaign ad in September 2021.

==Origins of the phrase==

==Origins of the phrase==