by Allison Floyd
This past week, I was watching an episode of MTV’s Teen Mom (yes, I have, on occasion, been known to watch this particular reality show, but let’s be serious, what else am I really doing at 10pm on a Tuesday…I don’t have a real job). Anyhow, this particular episode featured one couple on the show, Caitlyn and Tyler, the couple who chose to give up their daughter for adoption, discussing their future plans for higher education. They discussed how one of the reason’s they gave their kid up for adoption was because they were kids themselves and wanted the opportunity to go to college. Both teens talked about how they would be the first in each of their families to graduate high school and attend college. Caitlyn then said, “I want to go to college so I can make something of myself.”
This really got me thinking. I know, a reality show is thought-provoking? Who knew. But I thought about how glamorized and romanticized the prospect of going to college is for someone who hasn’t had the opportunities I have had. What’s more, this teen truly believes that a college degree will help make something of herself. That’s a very lovely thought. I believed it before and during college. But now that I have graduated college, I am wondering what I have made of myself. True, it is an accomplishment to earn one’s degree, but in this economy, it hasn’t gotten me any closer to getting a real job.
The American Dream is founded on the concept that everyone can make something of themselves if they work hard enough. Sadly, this is not the case, as it is clear that achieving the American Dream is impacted by many factors. Your economic income, your location, the job market, and of course the dreaded economy! When there are no jobs to be found, its difficult to achieve certain career goals, no matter how hard you try.
My overall point this evening is that like a college degree, the American Dream doesn’t get you as far as it used to. Hopefully that will change soon, but for now all I can say is: Caitlyn, I hope you’re right and that your college education does help you make something of yourself– because that’s what a college education is supposed to do, regardless of the economy.
