The American Dream

While discussing the American Dream the other day in AS, it was asked whether or not people born into incredibly rich families could achieve the America Dream, even if they already have everything they want. During this discussion, people began adopting Paris Hilton, the famous American heiress, as the ideal figure for this. Ironically, Hilton was on a reality TV show called "The Simple Life," where she and friend, Nicole Richie, took the places of parents in average middle class families in different areas of the U.S. and did all of their chores and errands for one day, while taking care of their kids and pets. Although these seem like completely normal tasks, Paris and Nicole's charmed lives made it entertaining to watch as they failed at folding laundry, making lunch for the kids, and walking the dog. These two girls made it nearly impossible to believe that any born-wealthy American could achieve the American Dream.

However, one exception comes to mind. My dad was born into a very wealthy family, with his grandfather being the CEO of a very successful company, and his father inheriting that company. Dad was a sophomore when his older brother flunked out of college, sending my grandparents into a frenzy over all of their children's educations. My father took it upon himself, in order to make his parents proud, to graduate early from school and work for UPS to pay for college by himself. He worked for one and a half years to pay for his first year of college and part of his second, which he also picked up another job for. He has been creating a living on his own since then, becoming a wealthy man himself and living in Winnetka. I believe that, even though my dad was not born to a poor family, he still worked very hard and earned the American Dream he lives today. Let me know if you know someone like that too!