American Dreams Series on NPR’s Newsmagazines
The American Dream has always meant opportunity -- the idea that anyone can make it here. Woven through our politics, culture and family histories, the simple phrase lifted and sustained Americans for generations, and its promise inspired millions to come to the United States in search of a better life.
Today, with millions of Americans out of work, the conversation is often focused on the economics of making it. A good job, a nice home and car, and the chance to do better than one's parents have all long defined the American Dream. And as the Great Recession staggers to a close, the dream feels out of reach to many and the gap between rich and poor now is greater than ever.
NPR News and member stations explore the American Dream in the 21st century, talking with a wide range of people around the country and the world about what the American Dream ideal means to them, and its conflicts and contradictions. The series launches with a conversation on Weekend Edition Sunday on May 27, and will continue over the next several months on air and online at npr.org.
American Dreams: Intro
Weekend Edition Sunday; Sunday, May 27
White House correspondent Ari Shapiro and economic correspondent John Ydstie discuss the themes to be explored in the American Dreams series, including economic mobility, the role of the automobile as a U.S. status symbol, home ownership, education, immigration, and how it’s depicted in pop culture, film and literature.
American Dreams: Overview
Morning Edition Tuesday, May 29
White House correspondent Ari Shapiro reports on the presidential candidates’ efforts to define the American Dream and their promises to make it a reality.
American Dreams: Economic Mobility
All Things Considered Tuesday, May 29
It’s the mainstay of the American Dream: the opportunity -- almost mandate -- that each successive generation “does better” than its predecessor. Economic correspondent John Ydstie examines what happened to economic mobility in the U.S over the past few decades.
American Dreams: Republicans
Morning Edition Wednesday, May 30
What are the American Dreams of Republicans? NPR’s White House correspondent Scott Horsley reports.
American Dreams: Democrats
All Things Considered Wednesday, May 30
What are the American Dreams of Democrats? NPR’s Ari Shapiro reports.
Photo: SXC
The American Dream seems harder to achieve than ever. I was raised to work hard and that college is a must. I work everyday of my life, but school stresses me out. America used to be the land of opportunity, now it's the land of you have to do this in order to have certain things. You have to have a college degree to work at Target or Wal Mart?! Are we insane? No wonder the unemployment rate is so high! America used to be open minded to people not having to go to college, or the crazy Uncle who started a restaurant in his basement. America used to be open minded until we decided you need a college degree to wait tables. That is not right! We should have the freedom to go to college or not and not have so many choices taken from us. Oh yeah! Obama's send mom's back to school plan is great, but again if you were on birth control and don't have kids it's three times harder to get loans or food stamps. What do you think that is encouraging young girls to do?? Oh a free ride if I get pregnant and my friend who struggles with school and tries hard is a stripper in this economy to pay her bills. Wake up America we doing everything backwards!! America the land of Slackers!!
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