Abstract
Karen A. Cerulo on social identity and realizing imagined futures.
There’s no question about it. In the United States, we encourage people to dream and dream big. But aside from works addressing the iconic “American Dream”—a well-entrenched ideal that promises success via hard work and education—we really don’t know much about the specific dreams everyday Americans imagine for their futures.
Recently, my colleague Janet Ruane and I talked with 272 U.S. men and women about their dreams for the future. Some were students, others working adults, some retired or unemployed. We talked to financially secure, economically challenged, and homeless people. We spoke to people of different races and ethnicities, and to those whose lives were disrupted by serious illness or natural disasters. In each case, we asked the same question: “If you knew you could not fail, what would you do... or where would you go... or what would you want to have... or who would you want to be?” Here’s what we learned.
What Do People’s Dreams Look Like?
Surprisingly, those we interviewed reported a limited number of “dream themes”: career and adventure were the two most common, followed by fame, wealth and power, philanthropy, self-improvement, and family.
Many of the dreams we heard were rather practical or realistic. Halle, a young woman in her 20s, told us, “I’d like to become a professional actress. If I don’t make it on the stage, I could direct in a community theatre and pass on what I learned.” John, a man in midlife, dreamed of opening his own restaurant at the beach. “A couple of lucky breaks and some momentum and it becomes a reality.” We also heard dreams about becoming a doctor or policeman, traveling, establishing a rescue farm for animals, and starting a family.
Others shared more adventuresome dreams. Frank, a college student, dreamed of taking to the skies as either a test pilot or an astronaut, saying “I want to feel g-forces. I want to push the limits.” Maria, a senior citizen, wanted to motorcycle cross-country. “I’m going with my granddaughter—she’s game. We’ll have matching leather jackets that say, ‘We’re on Harleys.’“ We also heard dreams about learning all the languages of the world, being a famous athlete or rock star, brokering Middle East peace, becoming an angel-investor, and starting a new railroad.
Fantastical dreams were relatively rare. Jeffrey, a man in late middle-age, dreamed of levitating his body. “I’m just lifting off the ground through my willpower... taking control of myself.” Jeremy, a third-grader, told us “I want to become invisible.” We also heard dreams about being able to fly, ending all violence and wars, and eradicating all economic inequality.
Conventional wisdom suggests that dreams are unique to the individual. However, the authors found that a person’s “social profile”—their age, gender, and life circumstances—impacts how they imagine their future.
iStockPhoto.com // Ridofranz
Dreams are Socially Shaped
Conventional wisdom suggests that dreams are unique to the individual. However, we found that a person’s “social profile”—their age, gender, and life circumstances—impacts how they imagine their future. We saw that women, more than men, were committed to dreaming and were more optimistic in thinking their dreams would come true. Those in both the early and later stages of life were highly committed to the act of dreaming. But those in early midlife felt they could not dream freely; they had to think about everyday obligations such as building careers or tending to family. Interestingly, those facing serious health challenges not only embraced and savored dreaming about the future; they were the most confident about achieving their dreams. In contrast, the unemployed were least likely to expect their dreams to come true.
We were most struck by the impact of social class and race on people’s dreams for their futures. The higher our participants’ social class, the more grandiose and varied their dreams, discussing everything from celebrity to political power (usually as the U.S. President), corporate success, and great wealth. Further, those in upper-middle or upper classes were most likely to see their dreams as realistic and doable, and once accomplished, saw themselves moving on to something new. Dennis described it this way: “Keep dreaming. Achieve one, move on to the next. Keep moving forward.”
Those in the lower social classes described dreams that were comparatively restrained: starting a shelter for the homeless or a thrift shop for those less fortunate; establishing a small business like a flower shop or a cafe; getting a college degree and subsequently getting a stable job like teaching or police work. As Rena told us, “I’ll work hard, earn my pay, hopefully collect a pension. I’m satisfied with that.” Those in the lower classes also saw their dreams as singular and lifelong—a one-time thing to strive for. “I don’t know if I’ll get my dream,” said Michael, “but I know I’ll never give up on it.”
When it came to race, Latinx respondents were most restrained in their dreaming, followed by Blacks, then Whites, then Asians. Moreover, people in different racial groups expressed the meaning of dream themes quite differently. For example, two themes—career and self-improvement—were most frequently mentioned by both Asian and Latinx respondents. When we dug deeper, however, we found that these themes meant something different for members of each group. Asians expressed grandiose meanings of career. Nancy told us, “I want to be a world-famous doctor and find a cure for type 1 diabetes.” And Rick said, “I want to be an architect and build something huge that I am in control of.” Other Asian participants spoke of creating million-dollar businesses and working in professions such as finance, law, and medicine.
Latinx respondents, in contrast, reported less lofty careers. Alfie, a college student and member of the military, was about to be deployed to the Middle East. “It’s dangerous over there, but I know I’ll come home. When I do, I want to live in a town like Mayberry—do you know that show? I’ll be the sheriff or something like that.” Elana, in midlife, told us, “I just want to get my high school diploma.” Others spoke of owning a food truck, a card shop, and a beauty salon. Asians and Latinx respondents also defined self-improvement in different ways. Asians spoke about improving their circumstances—their work/home environments, while Latinx respondents talked about improving themselves— their appearance or education.
Cultural Lessons On Dreaming
Every culture contains lessons on dreaming—ideas about envisioning the future that are central to public culture. We used data from books, films, historical narratives, myths, songs, etc. to explore the central lessons taught in American culture. We identified four positive lessons: opportunity is boundless; dream big; never give up on your dreams; and optimism makes anything possible. We also discovered two negative lessons: the higher they rise, the harder they fall and the deck is stacked.
Our study participants used these lessons in describing their dreams, and the lessons they chose were associated with their social class and race. Lower-class and Latinx respondents were particularly notable here. Over 80% of lower-class participants and 60% of Latinx participants referenced negative cultural lessons—the only groups to prioritize the negative. Members of these groups firmly believed that dreaming is a critical part of life. Tisha, a lower-class woman, said, “If you don’t have dreams, you may as well be dead.” This echoed the sentiments of those in all social classes. Yet, less than half of the lower-class and Latinx respondents saw dreams as under their control or achievable. Jorge, a Latinx man, said: “You’ll want to keep going, but if your chances are slim, what’s the point? Opportunity ain’t equal in this country.”
Our study suggests that legacies of exclusion were especially central in shaping the imagination of lower-class and Latinx study participants. When collecting our data, the lower class was battling the structural inequality that, more than ever, characterizes the U.S. economic system. Latinx people faced increased discrimination, immigration bias, and economic hardship. These issues were readily discussed by those we interviewed. This is not only important, but of some concern, for our findings broaden the scope of what inequality means. When dreams are blocked by culturally biased assumptions about a group’s capabilities, culture limits one’s possibilities before action can even take place.
What To Do
How can we make dreaming a more positive, productive experience for all groups? Structural inequality is baked into the American system. Class and racial privilege carry the resources and networks that help make people’s dreams come true; disadvantage and oppression do not. Clearly, large-scale, systemic changes are needed to make it equally possible for anyone to achieve their dreams. One thinks of the Justice Department’s new “Combatting Redlining Initiative” or President Biden’s forgiveness of student loan debt as “top-down” examples of such change. But top-down change is slow and difficult to accomplish. Perhaps there are some “bottom-up” solutions that can hasten equal-opportunity dreaming.
Consider this: Once formulated, dreams require a transformation. They must become what sociologists call “projects”—not just imaginings, but purposive plans for action aimed at specific ends. Dreamers must work toward the future imagined—even when myths and claims surrounding dreaming may suggest otherwise. Dreamers cannot fall prey to arguments suggesting that dreaming alone will make something happen. (Remember Rhonda Byrne’s bestselling book The Secret? She argued that thinking about something could make it come to fruition. We respectfully disagree.)
Transforming a dream to a project is a skill that must be learned. Success requires that dreamers be guided in this task, given the necessary tools, and connected to the proper networks. Those in privileged classes and races already have access to such resources. Those in underprivileged classes and races do not.
The thought occurred to us. Just as some students need targeted help to better prepare for college work, some dreamers may need advisory support in the steps needed to convert a dream to a pursuable project. Happily, some organizations are taking up this cause—reputable organizations with transparent information on funding, mission, and associations. These organizations create a partnership between individuals and social systems, bringing bottom-up change that opens opportunities for accomplishing dream-related projects.
The U.S. Dream Academy, usdreamacademy.org, targets disadvantaged youth from historically oppressed groups, offering guidance and resources to help children create and realize dreams. The organization is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, the states of Maryland and Texas, and several corporate partners listed on their website. The group’s focus “...builds on three pillars—skill-building, character-building, and dream-building. The overall goal is to nurture the whole child while altering attitudes, enhancing self-esteem, supporting emotional and intellectual growth, and sparking dreams.”
The I Have A Dream Foundation (IHDF), ihaveadreamfoundation.org, started in 1981 when businessman Eugene Lang innovated a small program that funded high school and college educations for sixth graders at P.S. 121 in Harlem. Lang was especially interested in encouraging students “to dream their own dreams,” and he established the IHDF to provide the resources necessary to develop dreams and turn them into accomplishable projects. Among the first funded class of dreamers, “90% earned their high school diplomas or GED certificates; and 60% pursued higher education.” Now, over 200 IHAD programs operate in 28 states, Washington, D.C., and New Zealand, together serving 18,000 Dreamers.
Some dreamers may need advisory support in the steps needed to convert a dream to a pursuable project. Happily, some organizations are taking up this cause.
iStockPhoto.com // BitsAndSplits
Another group, the Chase Your Dreams Initiative, chaseyourdreamsinc. org, is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the economic life of U.S. communities and providing equal opportunities to those most in need. The group argues, “Dreams require action with the intent to listen and learn. Our goal is to help people achieve their dreams!” Its largest funder is the JPB Foundation, jpb-foundation.org, which has, historically, “helped those denied power to build it, so they can change unjust systems and create a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society.”
These organizations are targeting those most in need and attempting to combat structural impediments by providing the steps and tools needed to complete a dream-related project. We need more such groups and initiatives, not just for the young, but for all those who have dreams that they conjure but cannot enact. Until we take more steps in this direction, too many dreams will lie dormant, turning into nothing more than a cruel reminder of what won’t (or can’t) come true.