This is what Americans hope to see change in their lifetime
What would you like to see the United States achieve in your lifetime?
A new study of 2,000 Americans found over half want to see affordable health care and access to quality education (51 percent each).
Forty-two percent of those surveyed also said they want to see dedication to 100 percent renewable energy in their lifetime.
Other dreams for America included no firearm-related deaths (30 percent), no government corruption (28 percent) and no homelessness (26 percent).
Nearly a quarter of those surveyed also said they would like to see poverty eradicated in their lifetime.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Canva, the survey examined people’s dreams for America, as well as what the “American dream” means for people today.
For over half of those surveyed – today’s American dream still includes owning their own home and car and having a family.
For 40 percent of respondents, just paying off their student loans would mean they’ve accomplished the American dream.
Another aspect of today’s American dream is being able to provide their children with a high-quality education one day, at 31 percent.
One in five respondents said their version of the American dream is being a positive role model and inspiration for their children.
And speaking of inspiration, the survey found this dream seems to be working – as 44 percent of respondents said they go to their family to find inspiration for achieving their goals.
Fifty-two percent of respondents also go to teachers for inspiration and 47 percent said they go to their friends as well.
“For far too long, white picket fences have been synonymous with the traditional American dream,” said a spokesperson for Canva.
“For many, this aspiration is unachievable — and even incomprehensible in this time and age. But things have changed, as we expand the concept of what it means to achieve our crazy big goals.”
Sometimes the American dream is a bit more abstract, however.
Nearly a quarter of respondents said the American dream means realizing your potential, seeing the world and having a positive impact on it.
It appears all of these aspirations have paid off for most of those surveyed, too – 68 percent of respondents believe that they’ve already “made it” in life and have met their goals and achieved their dreams.
“It’s important to break through the self-imposed confines and limitations of our own minds,” said a spokesperson from Canva. “Inspiration can be found in everything – and it only takes a small idea to make a huge positive impact to the world we live in.
“You can only grow as big as your dreams.”
Top things Americans want to see achieved in their lifetimes
- Affordable health care: 51 percent
- Access to quality education: 51 percent
- Access to public transportation: 46 percent
- 100 percent renewable energy: 42 percent
- No criminals re-offend: 36 percent
- No firearm-related deaths: 30 percent
- No government corruption: 28 percent
- No homelessness: 26 percent
- No poverty: 24 percent
- No unemployment: 23 percent
- No police corruption: 22 percent
- No suicides: 21 percent
- No single-use plastics: 17 percent
Today’s American dream
- Owning your own home: 56 percent
- Owning a car: 53 percent
- Having a family: 50 percent
- Starting your own business: 43 percent
- Paying off student loans: 40 percent
- Providing a high-quality education to your children one day: 31 percent
- Living in the suburbs: 29 percent
- Getting a good job: 26 percent
- Being out of credit card debt: 26 percent
- Realizing your potential: 23 percent
- Having a positive impact on the world: 23 percent
- Seeing the world: 23 percent
- Retiring in your 60s: 22 percent
- Being an inspiration to your children: 22 percent
- Getting a great education for yourself: 21 percent