The percentage of U.S. adults who believe it is possible for themselves and their families to achieve the American Dream has dropped to 50 percent, down significantly from the 68 percent who said the same in November 2008.
Faith in the American Dream falls even further when respondents are asked if it's possible for middle class families to achieve it, from 62 percent in November 2008 to just 44 percent today.
These latest results are from an IBOPE Zogby interactive poll conducted from July 15-18.
Do you feel it is possible for you and your family to achieve the American Dream, or would you say it does not exist?
|
Response
|
July 2011
|
Nov. 2008
(Post election)
|
|
American Dream possible
|
50%
|
68%
|
|
It does not exist
|
30%
|
19%
|
|
Not sure
|
20%
|
14%
|
Do you agree or disagree that most middle class families can achieve the American Dream?
|
Response
|
July 2011
|
Nov. 2008
(Post-election)
|
|
Agree
|
44%
|
62%
|
|
Disagree
|
37%
|
24%
|
|
Not sure
|
20%
|
14%
|
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding
In our recent poll, we found these notable demographic differences over the belief it is possible for individuals and their families to achieve the American Dream.
More likely: Republicans (60%), conservatives (57%), adults who attend religious services weekly (59%), household incomes of $75,000 to $100,000 (67%) and more than $100,000 (62%), NASCAR fans (57%) and those who shop at Wal-Mart weekly (57%).
Less likely: adults 65 and older (36%), liberals (40%), adults who never attend religious services (43%) and household incomes of $25,000 to $35,000 (39%), and below $25,000 (33%).
We also asked voters how they define the American Dream.
Do you and your family consider the American Dream to be mainly about achieving material goods, or is it more about finding spiritual happiness?
|
Response
|
July 2011
|
Nov. 2008
(Post-election)
|
|
Material goods
|
40%
|
38%
|
|
Spiritual happiness
|
38%
|
43%
|
|
Not sure
|
22%
|
19%
|
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding
The most notable current demographic differences on this question had to do with religious practices, as both adults who attend religious services more than weekly (58%) and born-again Christians (53%) are more likely to choose "spiritual happiness."
IBOPE Zogby International conducted an online survey of 2,188 adults. A sampling of IBOPE Zogby International's online panel, which is representative of the adult population of the US, was invited to participate. Slight weights were added to region, age, race, religion, party, gender, education to more accurately reflect the population. The margin of error is +/- 2.1 percentage points. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. The MOE calculation is for sampling error only.
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.