Many of us grew up with the myth and mystery of “The American Dream.” It was, and is, a bit of an enigma with varying amounts of relevance and very different definitions for lots of very different Americans. But yet, it was out there, and something we were all supposed to want.
What is it? I was under the impression that the “dream” we were all seeking was related to affluence, having an unending supply of consumable items in excess of what we need and being free to do whatever we want to do.
You may not know that there is a national organization called “The Center for a New American Dream,” which tries to foster a sustainable view of our American Dream, stressing what really matters for our well-being.
The organization did a survey of Americans in 2004 regarding their views on what really matters to them. The 2004 survey was a follow-up to a 1994 survey done by Merck on typical consumption. This year, they repeated the 2004 survey.
Thankfully, they observe a significant shift in public consciousness over the 20-year period. The poll sheds new light for people working on advertising, consumption, environmental issues and a sharing economy. One-third of Americans interviewed are interested in sharing more, buying less, saving money and helping the environment.
Between 2004 and 2014, we came through — and are still going through — some pretty hard times economically. We used to hear how buying more goods would get us out of any recession, and we were encouraged to keep spending, whether we needed or wanted those things or not. But we are finally getting smarter. Our consumption patterns are shifting away from getting more stuff and toward personal satisfaction and sustainable communities.
This year, Americans see the American Dream differently. These are the things they say are most important to them:
- 78 percent want personal freedoms
- 75 percent want their basic needs met
- 71 percent want to achieve their personal potential
- 67 percent want to have enough free time
- 54 percent want to be in harmony with nature, and
- 23 percent list achieving affluence as important.
Personally, I would wish that more people emphasized being in harmony with their natural home, but it is delightful that so many have abandoned their dream of achieving affluence, or at least moved it down in importance. I think this coincides with a significant shift the survey uncovered: people who have chosen fewer hours are reporting an overall improvement in the quality of their life.
They also found a majority of Americans know that we are producing too much waste, and that our excessive consumption patterns are having an effect on the global environmental problems. This is accompanied by seeing a need to make considerable changes in the way that we live.
How about you? What is your version of the American Dream? Does sustainability for Earth and our communities play a role in your dream?
(Information from Stillwaters Environmental Center & The Center for a New American Dream.)
Stillwaters is hosting a new Sustainability Discussion Group in the fall. If you are interested in getting on the list, call us at 360-297-1226.
— Naomi Maasberg is director of Stillwaters Environmental Learning Center. Contact her at naomi@stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.
