第八页,共84页。
Background information
1. What is the American Dream?
Tips The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.
第九页,共84页。
Background information
2. Do young people in America value stability as much as the old generations did?
Tips From about 1946 to the 1960s people enjoyed a stable era after World War II. Most people married young, settled down, had children and chased the so-called American Dream which was defined by material possessions and a comfortable life. Today’s world, however, is marked by global economic instabilities and faster than ever turn over and changes. For young people now, mobility is a more desirable goal than stability and the best measure of success is one’s ability to adapt to instability.