Irrespective of some form of absoluteness, the idea of crime and deviance is spatiotemporal—they differ from time to time, from one social context to the other. The idea of the American Dream can be very important in understanding the social construction of crime and the associated consequences.
American dreams aspire individuals toward hard work and success. Does the concept of the American dream have the same meaning for everybody? How could the idea of American dream lead to the adaptation of deviant routes toward realization of one’s dreams?
I think that the basic concept of the American dream has the same meaning for everyone, but I think that it is also very unique for each individual. In a broad sense, many who go in search of the American dream have goals of wanting to be happy and having a secure future. However, there are many who set even higher goals for themselves in addition to the basic American dream. They may want to start and keep a highly successful business or live in the best neighborhood around. If their ideas for higher objectives start becoming out of their reach, it can often lead to deviant behavior to try to prevent failure and disappointment of coming short of their dream.
ReplyDeleteI think the basic concept of the American dream is different for each individual. For example, one person might think the American dream is to have the perfect house, family, a good job, and no worries. Where someone else might think the American dream is just getting by to be able to stand one's own two feet. People sometimes think in order to get buy means anything goes. Meaning no matter if its good or bad, one will do whatever it takes to pursue their American dream.
ReplyDeletei think the concept of the American dream can be different for each person. In the movie American gangster he tried to live the american dream. to him this meant to have alot of money, his whole family living with him, a huge house, and basically to feel on top of the world. he got all these things but did so by selling drugs. sometimes i think people can get selfish to live the american dream they will go through extreme measures to get what they want including violence and crime. other people may have the same wants in life but go about in a different way. it just depends on what measures people are willing to go to, to be where they want in life.
ReplyDeleteI think that the concept of the American Dream is different for each person but the way that you get there is the same. What i mean by that is that people have their own views of what the American dream is to them but everyone else has the same work method or attitude towards getting their, meaning that they will do whatever it takes to get there and wont let anyone try and stop them. To some the american dream is having a large house and having alot of money. Everyone wants to be wealthy and have money its just the ways and methods of it are different.
ReplyDeleteAmerican dream inspires everyone to have a happy life with a house and cars. Everyone cannot achieve the dreams they have in their life and their American dreams fade out. In order to fulfill their dreams, some people might use the illegal way of drug trafficking, robbery etc.The people who don'tt want to do the crimes just go on woking hard in order to get the sucess. The concept of American dream might be different from one people to another. The eagerness of achieving success may lead many people to do the deviant activities because they see the only way to get success in short period of time is the illegal activities.
ReplyDeleteOf course the American dream isn't going to be the same for everyone, but I do think everyone has the same concept of it. The American dream to a lot of people means, anyone can come to America and try to pursue their goals with hard work and the freedom of choice that America offers. The American dream could become distorted to deviant behavior by those who want to reach their goals no matter what. People may realize they can't reach their goals legally, so they'll reach them illegally. Some people crave conquering their American dream so badly that they'll do anything to get it.
ReplyDeleteI think that the concept of the American dream is veiwed different by different people. I think Americans take it for granted sometimes For example, people who are born or raised in America grow up being told you can be what you want to be and you have the chance from the start. People who come to American tend to cherish these opportunities more because they were not blessed with the choices we have always been able to make. The American dream can lead toward deviant behaviors if they have the mentality that they are going to get where they want without working hard; taking an unethical shorcut and will do anything they have to to get it.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Katie and Grace. I think they make good points about those in search of the American dream that become willing to do anything to achieve it. It seems like a lot of people will take the wrong routes because they will not accept failure or they believe it is the only way to accomplish their goals in life. Maybe the American dream is thought of by so many to be this accomplishment of great wealth and high social standing that people feel as though they must to do anything and everything to have it within their grasp.
ReplyDeletei agree with hopey, each person has their own concept of the american dream. i think that yes the american dream to everyone is somthing to look up to and something to have but what they are looking up to and what they end up having will be different. Also the paths people take to get what they want will be different wweather it be good or bad.
ReplyDeleteThe American dream is one of the most sought after things in this country. Not too many people know what it actually is though. Most people just think it's getting rich, having a big house, nice cars, and living the life of a celebrity. Some people will do anything to reach that "status" including rob, kill, and take part in illegal endeavours. Some people view the American dream in a different way. These people think it's about earning an honest living and being able to provide for your family the legal way. It's not about having the big house and nice cars but having enough for you and your family to be happy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Freddy in the sense of how he was talking about the crimes they commit to get where they think they need to to be satisfied with their concept of the American Dream!
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