Here is the private link to my 500px.com "American Dream" Album:
https://500px.com/g/7052dd59ed06b5b022a57291aaa74d3c7b26fac35f3af0c1c1e54cd1c78768db
From Left to Right
1. The American Dream really changes from person to person and can also change based on their experiences. There is usually common themes strung through the thought of "American Dream", but you really can't expect every person to be happy with a cookie cutter picture. For example: At one time being married was part of my dream. I have friends that never had Marriage in their dream. I have friend that have a happy marriage and support each other, their dream continues to work for them. As, time spent and my experience grew, this no longer stayed my dream. My dream is to break the chain and feel "free" to take care of myself and my family in the "dream" that I redefined.
Kravchenko, Andriy. Steel Chain with a Broken Link over Blue Background. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
2. It was very clear that I could not continue putting work into something that was not benefitting me. Being used, and taken advantage of was literally draining my my health. Legal papers never looked so good. They became appealing in the sense that they bring opportunity.
XiXinXing. Papers in a Ring Binder. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
3. In the sense of "opportunity" nothing is free in America. Money is central to the American Dream.
Gordon. Money Background. 2014. 500px.com, n.p.
4. Money must to used to provide the basic necessities: food, water, heat, shelter, and clothing. I remember becoming envious of my neighbors pantries when I was younger. I want to be able to buy healthy, quality foods, as part of my American Dream. This is very hard to do with the price of food rising.
Caia Images. Woman Pushing Full Shopping Cart in Grocery Store. 2015. 500px.com, n.p.
5. Some meals can be cheap. I don't mind spaghetti, and when I can hide vegetables in it for my kids, I know they are getting some of the nutrients they need. Keeping them healthy and active is a joy to me.
Jovanovic, Jelena. Spaghetti. 2015. 500px.com, n.p.
6. Kids get sick so often. Since they aren't the best at telling other people what they are feeling like, being able to take them to the doctor when they are sick is peace of mind. Health Insurance is caught up in politics and affordable healthcare is not available. Nothing is "affordable" in healthcare, but this is still part of our society and wanting the better option is part of my American dream. I have a child that requires additional support and making sure he is off to the best possible start is my dream in action.
Toemkraisri, Linggnil. Health Insurance Claim Form. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
7. Getting my children their checkups to avoid a larger cost later, is great. The problem that can arise is the scheduling. Being a single mom who works full time, this type of scheduling is always a challenge.
Hero Images. Woman Filling out Paperwork at Dentists Office. 2014. 500px.com, n.p.
8. Providing, clothing and shoes is a necessity. As I was able to reach this dream for myself, I was able to find quality clothing and shoes, that I can trust to withstand abuse and use after use. With my circumstances changing, I liked shopping and testing products, less and less. I always have buyers remorse now days. I continue to get practical items, by keeping up with hand-me-downs and saving for nice pairs of snow boots. This method is almost always better than actually buying new and my kids don't know the difference yet.
Tulian, Gabriela. When I First Met You, I Never Realized How Much You Would End up Meaning to Me. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
9. My two girls share clothes. I stopped sorting them after I folded them. The clothes get mixed up anyway. All three kids have the clothes they need and although, right now, their american dream might be to have more dress up clothes, my dream (to keep the warm) is very much in rhythm right now. Having other mom's to swap clothes with helps out greatly, otherwise I can see how expensive this dream can be.
Liviu, Pazargic. Little Girl Hanging Her Clothes to Dry. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
10. Work, Work, Work, for the sake of opportunity and the American Dream! It's funny how a dream can have two complete polar opposites within it. My American dream is to have time. Family time, nap time, homework time, play time, ...free time. The other side is to provide for my family. All of this work is tiring, but there's no time to nap yet. This is still a dream I hope I can reach.
Caia Images. Serene Mother and Daughters Napping on Living Room Sofa. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
11. Having the time, to play with my children is important. Mother's guilt is not part of my American Dream, but it feels like a mother must go through it in order to reach the other side of the dream. At these points, The America dream doesn't seem as important. Why continue on the path? I think at this point a lot of mother's take a break from their ambitious dreams to follow the underbelly of it, the dream of having an American Family. Maybe dreams and motivations change, maybe the dreams stay the same and merely slow down, everyone is different. An Adult being able to have time to spend with others is a result of either a very poor paycheck, or a very good paycheck that has be the accomplishment of a good career.
Jenkin, Aaron. Family Winter Vacation in Wales. 2015. 500px.com, n.p.
12. Part of my dream is to be able to put down the money to have to children participate in sports and extracurricular activities. Sports and extra activities help build confidence, which they will each need to overcome their own issues and struggles. This is important in our American society because most parents work and independence is greatly valued. The parents don't always have the time to teach life lessons. Most times, even if parents do have the time, the kids will listen to their peers or coach better than their parents. Being creative in how to accomplish two goals at one time is a challenge that many people can understand.
Denims, Gable. Little League Team Cheering. 2014. 500px.com, n.p.
13. Letting a child play, nurtures their sense of identity. Part of my American dream is having capable children who can express themselves.
Altenburger, Andreas. Child Painting. 2014. 500px.com, n.p.
14. Allowing my children to learn about the diversity in America can enable understanding without dividing themselves. Helping them understand that opportunity is not usually dispersed fairly and we need to be grateful for what we have. After we take care of ourselves we can help others.
Tomsickova, Tatyana. Christmas Stories. 2013. 500px.com, n.p.
15. Our society pushes education and we've come to accept that you have invest in yourself to get a good job to obtain your dreams. Many people don't know how to afford this and really don't have many options to disagree. College graduation is a milestone in most people's American Dream. My dream is to be a elementary teacher, however I do not dream of making poverty wages. This is one aspect of my dream where I need to practice my self negotiating skills.
Cuong, Nguyen. Special Moment Aplenty at Graduation Ceremony. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
16. Education is important all around. As, I stated before, giving children a head start is very valuable. This will help children keep progress on track.
Milic, Igor. Teacher and Primary School Student Using Tablet. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
17. To keep my children on track for a higher standard, I recognize that I will need a better career. My American Dream changed from years before and I have started going back to school. I hope I manage a degree in Occupational Therapy so that I can contribute a little more to my children's future.
XiXinXing. Student Graduation Ceremony. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
18. Part of my American Dream is to work with children. I feel my purpose is to build confidence and give support in young children. I am looking forward to helping children in the school district through my Occupational Therapy Degree.
Caia Images. Physical Therapist Preparing Man in Wheelchair. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
19. I really want a home. I small, clean, comfortable home in a good neighborhood where I can build memories with my family. I feel that this is a further dream, as I am expecting not to reach it. I do not make enough to afford my own place and extra money is being invested in my schooling. I figure the cost of living in Flagstaff is what it is.
Shake, Michael. Home. 2015. 500px.com, n.p.
20. This picture look like the cookie cutter American Dream to me. The space of a nice yard, is not attainable in flagstaff on one income, unless I have a better job. I feel similar about this picture as the one before it. These pictures I feel refer more to the unrealistic American Dream. These pictures reflect more on middle class Americans.
Herreid, Mark. Back Yard Wooden Swing Set. 2014. 500px.com, n.p.
21. I think that vacations are typical of middle class americans. Vacations and relaxation are part of my American Dream. As, with my children I would like to be in a position to take mental and physical breaks that benefit our family relationships and health. I figure if I reach my own American Dream of being in the middle class, I would definitely appreciate a vacation.
Suárez, Alberto. Complicity. 2015. 500px.com, n.p.
22. I appreciate everything I have right now and everything I lost and will continue to lose. There is a give and take rule that is always present. There is always trade off in trying to maintain or accomplish an American Dream. Everyone is trying to get ahead and compromise is important when you put yourself in the category of a million others. It's important to decide what you want and know what other people want. Acceptance is greater at achieving happiness than toiling over a imaginary promise that you can do whatever you want and be whatever you want to be.
Pavlovski Photographe. Mother with Son Adn [and]Daughter on a Walk in Park in Late Summer Afternoon. 2016. 500px.com, n.p.
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