Death to the American dream? Poll finds
most agree hard work no longer guarantees
economic gain
Independent (UK),
by
Rachael Dobkin
Original Article
Posted By: Dreadnought,
9/2/2025 1:24:19 AM
A new poll has found most U.S. adults agree hard work no longer guarantees economic gain, crushing the long-held cultural belief known as the American dream.
There is a running joke on TikTok, which is predominantly used by younger adults, that the Baby Boomer generation is now able to sell their homes for millions after buying them with a handful of raspberries. This sentiment rang true in a recent survey from The Wall Street Journal and NORC at the University of Chicago, as well as in interviews conducted by the publication. A majority of respondents said the prior generation had an easier time buying a home, starting a
Post Reply
Reminder: “WE ARE A SALON AND NOT A SALOON”
Your thoughts, comments, and ideas are always welcome here. But we ask you to please be mindful and respectful. Threatening or crude language doesn't persuade anybody and makes the conversation less enjoyable for fellow L.Dotters.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
itsonlyme 9/2/2025 1:52:00 AM (No. 1998523)
Getting a degree in Basket Weaving could cause a great of stress. The Snowflake angrily shouts, Hey Mom slide the dinner under the door, I don't want to be interrupted when changing my hair to an aqua green color!
18 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
NotaBene 9/2/2025 4:03:24 AM (No. 1998531)
Maybe it is Blackrock buying all homes.
13 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Sully 9/2/2025 4:50:30 AM (No. 1998543)
Todays standard of living compared to the Boomers is apples to oranges.
Too many differences to list but let's cite just one.
The Boomer economy grew along with the growing population. Young couples now have few or no children. They have stunted their own growth.
18 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Wizard of is 9/2/2025 6:03:15 AM (No. 1998551)
This “article” is a waste of time. There is a headline claiming the end of the American dream and referencing a poll saying homes are expensive. Then 2 short quotes of people stating homes are expensive. Concluding with disconnected references to Labor Day protests of Trump’s illegal immigration policies. Apparently the author believes deporting illegals is driving up the price of homes. Or something?
11 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
billa57 9/2/2025 6:44:11 AM (No. 1998559)
The 'American Dream' has been unattainable for the 'Subjects of the Crown' for hundreds of years. This article is just sour grapes and misery loves company. Sorry Brits, but our people will have the 'American Dream' again thanks to 'You know who'.
13 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
petrichor 9/2/2025 6:53:12 AM (No. 1998561)
I remember a lot of very frugal years. Controlling your spending can be as much hard work as any effort you apply to your job. There is a not so subtle effort in the online community vilifying successful people. I'm afraid a lot of young people are attracted to the meager yet guaranteed existence under socialism.
13 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
privateer 9/2/2025 7:08:54 AM (No. 1998570)
People just need to be hard workers like Ilhan Omar. Or Nasty Pelodious.
7 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Strike3 9/2/2025 7:15:53 AM (No. 1998574)
It was never guaranteed. Now it's just a little more difficult due to artificially high interest rates. Homes have always been relatively expensive but living in your parents' basement and playing games will never get you there.
12 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
DVC 9/2/2025 7:31:51 AM (No. 1998582)
Consider the source. The UK Independent is a sclocky rag, and generally anti-American in tone.
Working hard at an entry level job, like a construction laborer or a retail clerk has never been a way to financial success. But become a plumber, electrician or similar job, or engineer, accountant, etc. and you WILL do well if you work hard.
12 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
Petronius 9/2/2025 7:52:33 AM (No. 1998588)
Flooding the country with millions of illegals did not help our housing situation.
15 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
Venturer 9/2/2025 8:00:10 AM (No. 1998591)
Todays generation has no idea how to work nor do they have the urge to work.
18 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
Red Jeep 9/2/2025 8:06:20 AM (No. 1998596)
Between astronomical real estate and new car prices how does a young couple make it anymore?
?
2 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
Californian 9/2/2025 8:09:55 AM (No. 1998598)
12, they do what previous generations did.
They buy a used car. They don't live in the heart of an expensive city. They don't waste thousands of dollars on dumb things like Taylor Swift tickets.
Not that hard.
29 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
seamusm 9/2/2025 8:35:25 AM (No. 1998613)
Success has never been guaranteed. It has simply been an American dream with the highest chance of success if one worked hard.
7 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
Encore 9/2/2025 8:58:38 AM (No. 1998625)
The way you spend your money means everything! I see it all the time; young people…have to have the latest phones, have to have a new car every other year, boats, trendy clothes, toys…things they grew up ‘wanting’. Frugality speaks volumes.
13 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
WV.Hillbilly 9/2/2025 9:34:56 AM (No. 1998635)
I'm sick of the whining by people who drive a new SUV, take multiple vacations during the year, have their food delivered, drink $10 coffees, have $1000 phones, etc. that they have no money and can't afford a house.
It's all about instant gratification with these clowns. Homeownership—which requires long-term planning and delayed gratification—often takes a back seat. Today’s adult-children prioritize short-term gratification over long-term investments. People are making it harder on themselves and they're too stupid to realize it.
14 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
Kate318 9/2/2025 9:51:06 AM (No. 1998645)
Sorry, but no. This generation wouldn’t know hard work if it bit them on the bottom. They want everything now. You don’t go for the $350,000 house, you go for what you can afford. No, it won’t have everything you want, but that’s the reality. Yes, you might have to work more than one job. Yes, it takes two people to build a family corporation. No, you won’t be able to have your $7 lattes everyday, get your nails and eyelashes done, or buy those $600 rock concert tickets. Your beginning years will be lean years. Don’t give me the “everything is so much more expensive now” line. I started out under Jimmy Carter. First home mortgage was 11%. The salaries now are outrageous compared to my first full time job: $250 a week. It all depends on what your priorities are.
14 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
bpl40 9/2/2025 10:08:20 AM (No. 1998655)
In today’s America you get ahead by working smart. Working hard IS an integral part of working smart. It is necessary but not sufficient any more. If you don’t’ ‘get’ this you get left behind. This is an affluent and compassionate society. It won’t let you starve. But that’s about it.
4 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
LC Chihuahua 9/2/2025 10:28:33 AM (No. 1998663)
There was never any guarantee that hard work meant economic gain. There are many factors. Where one lives. Education. Family. Health. Luck.
3 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
Starlifter Nav 9/2/2025 11:23:15 AM (No. 1998682)
Per number 4, this article is, indeed, a waste of time. Per number 6, the source tells you that you probably shouldn't bother.
And if you read the comments you have to ask yourself why you would bother reading the prattling nonsense written by a bunch of pathetic Brits whining about the U.S. (about which they know...what, exactly?) as the country they have destroyed is about to vanish? Churchill, alas, was wrong.
3 people like this.
One wouldn't have to look very hard to find similar complaints by boomers as we entered the housing market during the final decades of the last century. Home prices seemed astronomical compared with what our parents paid in the 1950s and if you bought a home during the Carter years the interest rate was astronomical too.
2 people like this.
Below, you will find ...
Most Recent Articles posted by "Dreadnought"
and
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)