AMC bac oral: Thématique 1 : « Faire société » Axe numéro 3 : Égalités et inégalités Problématique: Can you still believe in the American Dream?

« Thématique 1 : « Faire société » Axe numéro 3 : Égalités et inégalités Problématique: Can you still believe in the American Dream? Good afternoon everyone, today I am here to talk about the American dream. Many of us grew up with the belief that America was the land of opportunity, where anyone could achieve success through hard work and determination.

However, recent data and trends show that this is maybe no longer the case. Let’s begin by defining what the American Dream is.

The American Dream has been a national moto in the United States for almost half a century, the set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers. The American dream has been a central theme in American literature, music, and pop culture.

But the dream that was once celebrated and envied by people worldwide is slowly fading away. Problematic: We will see with this presentation if one can still believe in the American Dream? 1)Getting by on your own is harder nowadays Part a: The Income Gap One of the main indicators of the death of the American Dream is the growing income gap.

The wealthiest Americans are getting richer, while the middle and working class are falling behind.

According to the Pew Research Center, the wealth gap between the top 20% and the rest of the population is the highest it has been in the past 50 years. In 2015, the median household income was $56,500, which is lower than it was in 1999 when it was $57,909.

This stagnation in wages is not only affecting those at the bottom of the income ladder but also those in the middle.

The middle class is shrinking, and the poor are getting poorer. Part b: Homeownership The American Dream of homeownership is also in decline.

In the 1950s and 1960s, homeownership was a realistic goal for many Americans.

However, in recent years, the number of people who own their homes has declined. According to the National Association of Realtors, the homeownership rate in the United States is at its lowest level in 50 years.

The rate was 63.4% in 2016, which is down from 69% in 2004.

This decline in homeownership is due to several factors, including high student loan debt, rising housing costs, and stagnant wages. II Richer are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer Part a: The Cost of Education Another significant issue that is contributing to the death of the American Dream is the cost of education.

The cost of college education has skyrocketed, and it is now harder than ever for people to obtain a higher education without incurring huge amounts of debt. In 2017, the average student loan debt was $37,172, and this is just for a bachelor's degree.

The cost of education has gone up by over 200% in the past 30 years, while the median household income has only increased by 29% over the same period. Part b: Social climbing Finally, social climbing, which is a central principle of the American Dream, has been declining.

Social mobility is the ability of individuals or families to move up or down the economic ladder.

Unfortunately, the United States has one of the lowest levels of social climbing among industrialized nations. According to a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts, social mobility has not improved in the United States in the past several decades.

A child born into a low-income family in the United States is less likely to move up the income ladder than a child born into a low-income family in other developed countries. In a Nutshell, the American Dream is over.

The income gap, the cost of education, the decline in homeownership, and the lack of social mobility have all contributed to the end of the American Dream.

It is up to us to find new ways to make.... »