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→Beliefs today: update
Among those who reject the American Dream, 46% of those younger than age 30 believe that Americans aren't entitled to a better life, which fits perfectly into their overall more global outlook. Almost as many of those young adults (44%) say that the cost of living is just too high for them to achieve the dream. Conservatives who don't believe in the American Dream are about 10 points more likely than liberals of the same mindset to say that the powerful don't care about them. These liberals are more likely (37%) than conservatives who have forsaken the American Dream (24%) to believe Americans shouldn't think of themselves as special and entitled to an ideal life.
Among those who reject the American Dream, 46% of those younger than age 30 believe that Americans aren't entitled to a better life, which fits perfectly into their overall more global outlook. Almost as many of those young adults (44%) say that the cost of living is just too high for them to achieve the dream. Conservatives who don't believe in the American Dream are about 10 points more likely than liberals of the same mindset to say that the powerful don't care about them. These liberals are more likely (37%) than conservatives who have forsaken the American Dream (24%) to believe Americans shouldn't think of themselves as special and entitled to an ideal life.
A different poll sponsored in spring 2009 by the ''New York Times'' and ''CBS News'' showed 72% of Americans believed it is possible to start out poor in the United States, work hard and become rich — a classic definition of the American dream. 44% said they had actually achieved the American dream, although another 31% said they expect to attain it within their lifetime. Only 20% have given up on ever reaching it. In 2005 19% defined the Dream in terms of financial security and a steady job, and 20% gave answers that related to freedom and opportunity. In 2009 fewer people are pegging their dream to material success and more are pegging it to abstract values. Those citing financial security dropped to 11%, and those citing freedom and opportunity expanded to 27%.<ref> Katharine Q. Seelye, ''What Happens To The American Dream In A Recession?" [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/us/08dreampoll.html?_r=1&hp ''New York Times'' May 8, 2009]</ref>
Typican answers in the category of freedom and opportunity:
* “Freedom to live our own life.”
* "Created equal.”
* “Someone could start from nothing.”
* “That everybody has a fair chance to succeed.”
* “To become whatever I want to be.”
* “To be healthy and have nice family and friends.”
* “More like Huck Finn; escape to the unknown; follow your dreams.”
Those who responded in material terms gave these answers to what is the Dream:
* “Basically, have a roof over your head and put food on the table.”
* “Working at a secure job, being able to have a home and live as happily as you can not spending too much money.”
* “Just financial stability.”
* “Owning own home, having civil liberties.”
==Comparative==
==Comparative==