Blog #9: Context and the American Dream

            In the sixth chapter of The American Dream in the 21^st Century titled “Want Meets Necessity in the New American Dream,” John Zogby discusses the different types of believers in the American Dream: traditional materialists, secular spiritualists, deferred dreamers, and dreamless dead (nonbelievers). Zogby observes that, as the majority switches over from one type of American Dreamer to the next, the American Dream is constantly changing to fit with the times. According to post-election polls in 2008, a majority of 37% of Americans self-reported themselves as secular spiritualists, meaning that they agree with the statement: “I believe you can achieve the American Dream through spiritual fulfillment rather than material success” (Zogby 107). The author begins to examine why most Americans have switched over to being this type of Dreamer, with the majority previously being traditional materialists, who believe the “American Dream means material success” (Zogby 107).

            In the section within the chapter entitled “The Sources of a Redefined Dream,” Zogby states that many are secular spiritualists because of “reduced expectations have been forced upon them by the loss of higher-paying jobs” or because they “have discovered that having more does not lead to a fuller life” (Zogby 108). I thought this was an interesting observation because I wouldn’t necessarily think that those who lost higher-paying jobs would still believe in the American Dream. Instead of becoming a nonbeliever “dreamless dead,” Zogby states that those who experience a lowering in life-quality because of pay cuts become secular spiritualists. Although, this makes sense because this group of citizens may inherently become a part of the group that has discovered that “having more does not lead to a fuller life.” People who lose higher-paying jobs are still fully capable of surviving and achieving happiness, despite the fact that they are unable to have as many materialistic possessions.

            Zogby explains that another group of secular spiritualists comes from the new generational youth. Most believe in the “twenty-something stereotype” who are obsessed with keeping up with trends and constantly advancing technology, but Zogby states that “this age cohort has accepted Secular Spiritualism in the same numbers as their elders … They are connected to the rest of the world like no other generation. They are multicultural and accepting” (109). I found this claim thought-provoking because I never quite realized how fortunate my generation is to be so connected to the rest of the world. Through technology as well as the increasing diversity within American communities, millennials are constantly being exposed to other cultures and thus different ways of thinking. Because of this, we have developed a less shallow view on the American Dream. As Zogby reveals, we are multicultural and accepting—we are capable understanding the society and the American Dream’s role in our lives in a deeper manner that allows us to realize that achieving the American Dream is far beyond material success.

            Although I agree with Zogby’s claims, I questioned whether if a majority of my generation is truly secular spiritualists. Despite the fact that I am surrounded by very “multicultural and accepting” people, I am also aware of the fact that many youths my age are materialistic and shallow. I also questioned how the people decide to switch over from one type of American Dream to another.