How The American Dream Has Changed Different Aspects of Life Over Time

The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream. All people can strive to achieve the American Dream. The American Dream is subject to change for all types of different people such as women's rights have improved, African-Americans have more opportunities in the workforce, and the chance to get health care has improved tremendously.

The Evolution of Women's Rights

The American Dream has improved greatly in its role with women's rights. In the 1800s, women had a set role of working in the house. All they did was cook and clean while their husbands went to work on the farm usually. When World War One started in the early 1900s, women started to work in the factories when the men went to war. After the war, women started getting more recognition for their hard work. Ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed giving women the right to vote. This was a big step in the women's movement towards gender equality.

Advancements for African Americans

The American Dream has changed for the better with more opportunities in the workforce for African Americans. In the year 1619, the first 19 or so Africans were brought to the city of Jamestown. Slavery only intensified until the year 1865 when President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery with the ratification of the 13th amendment. After slavery, life for Blacks didn't improve. They were now free from slavery, but with the fast up and coming Jim Crow Laws, they were still harshly discriminated. Segregation in America never really started to change until the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when Martin Luther King Jr. and many others started a movement to desegregate Whites and Blacks in America. This led to the Civil Rights Act. This act led to greater social and economic mobility for African Americans across the nation. It also banned racial discrimination, providing greater access to resources for women, religious minorities, and low-income families. With the abolishment of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans have a better opportunity at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Improving Access to Healthcare

Over many years, people have gotten the chance to seek medical help even lower class and the poor. In history, people that live their lives with less money have not gotten the privilege of receiving professional medical help. In the past 50 or so years, hospitals have started accepting more patients regardless of their circumstances. It used to be where if you didn't have enough money or you didn't have health insurance. Now that hospital policies have changed dramatically, hospitals cannot turn you down for any reason. On March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare was passed. This law provides customers with subsidies that lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty rate. In other words, people that have a low income can apply for Obamacare and have a form of healthcare at a lower cost. With the changing of hospital policies and the passing of the ACA, people can have healthcare cheaper. When people have healthcare, it gives them life and life is the main piece in the saying 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness'.

A Brighter Future for All

When women's rights go from just about nothing into what they come to today, race inequalities are far more improved than they were 60 years ago, and healthcare is possible for all people rich or poor, it will tell you that the American Dream has changed for the better. With these changes, Americans can strive to achieve great things not possible in history or many other countries.