Politicians often emphasize the concept of “The American Dream” to support their platforms. The term gained popularity in 1931 after historian James Truslow Adams published The Epic of America. He defined this ideal as, “the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” Adams definition encompasses the philosophical and sociological idea of “meritocracy.” Greek philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, both advocated meritocracy in Plato’s, The Republic, stating a perfect society was ruled by the wise--ideally a philosopher. Although used for centuries prior, the vocabulary was first coined in 1958 by sociologist and politician Michael Dunlop Young in a satirical essay arguing division in society defining meritocracy as, “a social system that gives people status or rewards because of what they achieve, rather than because of their wealth or social position.”  The opposing philosophical argument, determinism, theorizes the belief that all actions and events are a result of circumstances outside one’s control. Young proposes a variation of this concept suggesting that society functions on an unfair division between the merited elite and a less merited underclass. Philosopher Alain de Botton argues that in todays modern western society people do not live in a meritocracy, they just believe they do. Many Americans believe the “limitless possibilities” and the “American dream” are exclusive to those of a certain class, however, modern western society functions as a meritocracy despite beliefs of socioeconomic statuses, normalized myths on gender inequality, and misconceptions of racial injustices.  

     

Americans advocate for equality across race, gender, and social class standings. However, the argument remains that social class and socioeconomic status determine such equal opportunities. A clear-cut definition of “social class” remains undetermined by sociologists, the exception being conflict sociologists like Karl Marx. A Marxist orientation believes in two social classes: Proletariat and Bourgeois. The Proletariat class consists of wage-earning individuals, whereas, the Bourgeois class defines individuals of a higher class, usually determined by cultural identification and financial means making up the, “upper middle class.” In a contemporary society (and updated version of Marxism) agreed upon by most sociologists, theorizes social class being a large group of people that rank  closely to each other in property, power, and prestige (Henslin 202). The perfect recipe for a meritocratic society.

 

On the U.S Social Class Ladder, the majority of Americans belong to the lower middle class. These individuals are a class with a high school degree or college education. Occupations range as semiprofessionals, lower managers, and foreman with an average household income of about $60,000 a year. According to U.S Small Business Administration, most microbusinesses average between $3,000 and $5,000 in average start up costs. Similar, a small business averages a startup cost of $30,000; both obtainable for a lower middle class with a modest savings account or loan approval. Even those that make up the working class, averaging about $36,000, can capitalize on this opportunity as well. The reality to start a small business affects one’s  equal opportunity to climb the social mobility ladder. 

Social mobility and the social ladder work in three ways: inter-generational mobility, upward social mobility, and downward social mobility. James Henslin uses the example of “Janice” when discussing this topic in “Essentials of Sociology.”  For example, if “Janice” grew-up identifying in a different social class than her parents, she then achieved “inter-generational mobility” which can happen in two ways. If she completed a degree, relocated, and started a career with a salary greater than her parents than she experienced upward social mobility. On the contrary, if she dropped out of high school and took an unprofessional job making less than her parents, she experienced downward social mobility.  Because western society functions as a meritocracy where all forms of mobility are possible, one is not confined to a single rung in the social ladder.

 

Overall, statistics and research proves that despite socioeconomic status, everyone has access to equal opportunities of success. Most of the poor are trapped in a cycle of poverty that few escape proves just a myth in stereotypes about social status. The majority of impoverished individuals and families lasts less than a year and only 12% of all groups remain in poverty for five or more consecutive years (Henslin). The example of  “Janice” in social mobility shows that individual efforts, intelligence, worth ethic, and ambition are requirements for climbing the social ladder, whereas, poor choices and faults result in downward social mobility. Henslin quotes research done by Blau and Duncan in 1967 stating, “about half of sons pass their fathers on the social class ladder, about one-third stay at the same level, and about one-sixth fall down the ladder.”  Statistics prove the possibility of the “American dream,” however, the opportunity to obtains such desires is the responsibility of the individual.

 

Third wave feminism challenged the idea that because of assumed pay gaps and gender inequality, men have predetermined access to the “American Dream.” The argument suggests that gender qualifies or disqualifies one’s opportunity for success in a society that favors men. Recent studies explore the feminization of poverty in an effort to supply sufficient enough information to argue a woman’s disadvantage of achieving the “American Dream.”

            Women studies in social mobility provide surprising, often times denied, proven statistics. A study conducted by sociologists Elizbeth Higginbotham and Lynn Weber recorded 200 women in the work force from working-class backgrounds. These women were chosen based on their inter-generational social mobility rising from the working class to now middle and upper middle because of professional careers. Interviews with these women found that they had been encouraged by parents to postpone marriage and family life and pursue an education. Women experience the benefits of meritocratic society regardless of their identified gender.

            On the contrary, as women climb the social ladder, men are spiraling downwards. Rapidly gaining in popularity, feminist movements are affecting the success and equality of men. Workforces and educational institutes require a certain level of political correctness to remain a credible status. Men are now targeted because of the feminist attitude, “anything you can do, I can do better.” Kathleen Parker, author and advocate for men, shares male to female education statistics in her book “Save the Males.” She writes:

Today, many boys are dropping out of school, and of those who actually graduate, fewer proceed to college. Thirty years ago, 58 percent of college students were men; today they are a minority at 44 percent. By 2012, women are expected to be awarded 60 percent  of bachelor’s degrees in this country. (Parker 15)

 

The majority of upper middle class professionals hold bachelor’s degrees and by these statistics prove that 60 percent of women are holding, or at least qualified, to have equal opportunity to achieve upper middle class status.

            Equality is a reality in the work place. However, feminist still choose to challenge that theory using the pay gap. Statistics stay that women earn 81 percent of what men earn. These numbers only account for median salary comparison not salaries by age or salaries in the same job. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics compared 120 occupations that employ both male and female. Reports showed that in some jobs, women were the higher earning gender. Female counselors earned an average of $907 weekly earnings compared to men at $892.00 weekly. Similarly, male teaching assistants earned an average of $501, whereas, women earned $525 on average.

            Overall, statistics prove that each gender has an equal opportunity in occupations. In 2015, the BLS concluded that 39.2 percent of managers were female. Each gender tends to gravitate to different professions, which, have different salaries. Men make up 93.2 percent of the construction industry but there are higher rates of females in medical services, education, and real estate managers. Women have the choice and right to pursue higher education, apply for professional jobs, and granted promotions because western society operates on meritocracy.        

           

Race and ethnicity equate for debates whether western culture functions as a meritocratic or deterministic society. Racial-ethnic groups are categorized  by social class; however, these classes altered over time as historical periods change. African American’s are the first example of class division in society; but not in the way one would expect. Division was not between whites and blacks, but rather blacks and blacks. Those who worked on plantations and  at “big houses” were exposed to manners, speech, and other forms of wealthy living. Categorized by skin-color, blacks that had more privileged positions where lighter in skin color. They classified themselves as “mulatto elite” and “free blacks” who not only owned property, but also were able to own other black slaves. These two groups formed an upper class that separated themselves from other blacks thus creating a class of black professionals.

          

  Today, more than half of African American adults work at white-collar jobs and of that statistic, 22 percent have managerial level occupations. Nonfactual myths concocted the idea that most African Americans are poor and that most of the poor are African American. According to a personal interview done with a local African American male, Sedrick Parker, he responded that per his personal experiences, both of these statements are false. He shared that he grew up in a seven person household of the lower middle class status and now considers himself a part of the middle class. Consider other African American figures that have also achieved social mobility. Many pop-artist today write lyrics of their childhood in impoverished neighborhoods but now live lavish lifestyles. Athletes, artists, and actors make up the majority of the entertainment industry. During the interview when asked, “what do you consider the American Dream” Parker responded with, “having the ability to go and do what you want because of your own free

will.”

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            Famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes and author of, “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” argues that blacks should not conform to white culture, but rather adopt the phrase, “black is beautiful.” He encourages an aspiring poet who wishes to write but not sound like “a negro.” Hughes states that this poet comes from a middle-class white family, attends a mixed school, and whose father holds a high rank at a mostly white club. Two lines in his essay stand out amongst the rest which encourage the right to make one’s own choices and advance within his racial group. In one instance he writes, “for the American Negro artist who can escape the restrictions the more advanced among his own group would put upon him.” Similarly, he references individual choices by writing, “an artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he must choose.”

 

Advocating for ones right, despite racial identity, proves the reality of a meritocratic society.

      Many Americans believe the “limitless possibilities” and the “American dream” are exclusive to those of a certain class, however, modern western society functions as a meritocracy despite beliefs of socioeconomic statuses, normalized myths on gender equality, and a misconception of racial class. Access to education, exogamous marriages, and business opportunities, one of any gender, race, or class can experience any form of social mobility. Women have made advancements in the workplace as well as exceed their male counterparts in the work place. African American individuals and families have proven mobility not only within their own race, but also advance beyond their white counterparts. The American Dream does not discriminate against social class, gender, nor race.

 

 

 

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References 

Henslin, James M. Exploring Social Life: Readings to Accompany Essentials of Sociology: a down-to-Earth Approach. Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2009.

Hughes, Langston. "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" (1926), Modern American Poetry, www.english.illinois.edu/Maps/poets/g_l/hughes/mountain.htm.

Marx, Karl, et al. The Communist Manifesto / Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels ; Edited and Translated by L.M. Findlay. Broadview Press, 2004.

Mosser, Halle, and Sedrick L. Parker. “What Is Your American Dream.” 10 July 2019.

Parker, Kathleen. Save the Males: Why Men Matter, Why Women Should Care. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2010.

“The Meritocracy Blues.” Commentary, www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/the-meritocracy-blues/.

“U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/.