What is the American Dream & Why I Believe In It

For a school report, my son asked me what my definition of the American Dream is and if I believed in the American Dream.

Here is what I told him:

My definition of the American Dream is that it's an aspirational concept for wanting upward mobility possible for everyone.

My son asked, how can someone achieve the American Dream?

To achieve the American Dream, you need to make yourself as valuable as possible. Build your skillsets, learn from successful & intelligent people and gain experience along the way.

I explained to my son that the American Dream isn't given, it's earned. It's earned through hard work and perseverance. There is this idea that because you simply exist in America, you should be handed your successes and that's not how it works (nor should it).