American Dream Education Essay

Literature and Education in the American Dream

“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Seuss. Literacy and education is incredibly important in America. At the heart of the American Dream, lies this most essential trait. This trait is deeply intertwined within the concept of the American Dream, as it is relied upon by all other aspirations involved in its achievement. Although it may not be a central pillar in the main components of the American Dream, literacy and education is truly the most essential trait. This is largely because the American Dream is nearly impossible to reach without it. Success of all other traits rely on an individual's literacy and education.

Getting a good education helps get you a better job and better quality of life. Essentially, education makes individuals into who they are for the rest of their lives. Over the past few decades, the amount of schooling and importance of schooling has grown as education has become more easily accessible and necessary for careers. This idea is shown through the data from studies done on degrees and financial records. A census done by the U.S. government on education in the U.S population of individuals age 25 and older, shows that the high school completion rate increased from 87.6% in 2011 to 91.1% in 2021. The percentage of the population with associate degrees also rose from 9.5% to 10.5% between 2011 and 2021. And finally, between the same years 2011 and 2021, the percentage of people who had received a bachelor's degree or higher increased by 7.5%, from 30.4% to 37.9% (Bureau). These percentages show the incredible increase in the number of American citizens receiving higher levels of education. This is because many jobs, especially those involved in achieving the

It provides power in certain times, it gives opportunity in others, and sets up those who obtain it for brighter futures and careers. Examples are even given as individuals chose to forgo their education and rather attempt a different lifestyle, leading them down a different path. One example of the way literacy and education provides power in the past of America, is shown through the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, credits his freedom to his literacy and education. He shared that it gave him the power to escape slavery. After he learned to read and write, he expressed, “From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom” (Douglass 32). This is one way that literacy and education is the most essential trait to the American Dream as it provides freedom. Another example of the importance of education for future success is portrayed in the video, Two American Families. In this video, the Stanley Family does everything possible to be able to afford sending their oldest son, Keith, to college. The parents express the value and importance of having an education, to set up the future for success and strong careers (Public Broadcasting Service.). This family believes strongly that education is an important factor in achieving the American Dream. One last example, in which circumstances did not turn out positively,