Despite its widespread use, no term epitomizes what it means to be an American like the American Dream. People and politicians alike have tried to define it but all seem to come up short.

One of the more negative interpretations is that the American Dream is dead. It does not take long to realize this notion is wrong and represents a misunderstood idea of the dream. Another interpretation is that the American Dream is simply going to college. While going to college is a great dream for many, I find that constricting the American Dream to this is limiting to many people.

Others define it as the idea of the “rags to riches” story. Because this story is so rare, it gives people the ability to claim the dream is dead. For obvious reasons, this interpretation is harmful to everyone who strives for success by measuring themselves by the money they earn. Although common, both of these interpretations fall flat.

Still, the question remains: What is the American Dream?

It has been simple in the past. It is the idea that your children should have more than you had. For every opportunity you receive, the next generation should have more than that.

Over the years, this has been skewed and changed. The idea of securing more for future generations seems to be just natural. In fact, this the most valuable thing one can do. Preparing for the future of children is a popular idea in both the Republican and Democratic platforms.

The Republicans claim it with the market and wanting to reduce the debt. The Democrats claim it with the environment and wanting to protect the planet. Both major parties want you to prepare for your children’s future, so why is this not the American Dream?

Reality does not match political rhetoric. People do not truly value the future as much as the present. They believe that the idea of rags to riches is better because it is cooler and easier to sell. They believe in the idea of college because it is perceived as an avenue through which people could achieve riches.

But realistically, the American Dream did not warrant a shift from posterity to wealth. If we had kept to its original idea of giving your children more opportunities than you had, then the dream is much easier to achieve. Providing for the future should be the first priority of anyone; however, people are naturally selfish. They do not want to prepare for the future, as they are satisfied in just worrying about now.

Although, if you asked a parent their greatest desire, they would overwhelmingly respond that they want their children to have better opportunities then they had.