The Crushing Weight of the American Dream: A Millennial's Reality

For decades, the promise of the American Dream has been the guiding light for generations. "Finish college, and the world will open for you." That's what many of us were told, often by parents who built their lives in an entirely different economic landscape. But for millennials, this dream has become a mirage, and the path to success is littered with insurmountable obstacles.

I come from a family of seven kids. My father, a retired military and police officer, a public servant for more than 35 years. My stepfather, a lawyer, earns over a million dollars a year. Growing up, my parents constantly emphasized education as the key to success. I took their advice to heart, spending over a decade in college to earn three degrees in creative writing, film production, and biology. But here I am, with diplomas that feel meaningless in a job market that no longer values them.

The Generation Burdened by Debt

The cost of education has skyrocketed. When my parents went to college, tuition was $500 a semester, and a Super Bowl ticket cost $50. Fast forward to today, and the average student graduates with over $37,000 in debt—a figure that continues to climb. This debt is not just a financial burden; it’s a chain that keeps us from achieving milestones like buying a home, starting a family, or even pursuing our dreams.

We’re told we’re the first generation that won’t make more than our parents. The reality is that many of us are still working the same jobs we held in college or even high school. Why? Because those degrees we worked so hard for don’t guarantee meaningful employment. If you didn’t spend your college years building a professional network or gaining experience in your field, good luck even getting an interview, let alone a job that can sustain you.

The Reality of "Opportunities"

Let’s talk about opportunities—or the lack thereof. The job market has become a game of who you know, not what you know. Internships, often unpaid, are a prerequisite for many careers, making them inaccessible to those who can’t afford to work for free. Meanwhile, the jobs we can secure barely cover the basics, let alone provide a pathway to financial stability.

Health insurance? That's another battle. Many of us are stuck in jobs we hate simply to ensure we have coverage. And even with health insurance, the costs can be devastating. Friends refuse to go to the doctor because a single ER visit for an MRI can cost $10,000, or a simple urgent care visit for pneumonia can run up to $3,000. This isn’t healthcare; it’s financial ruin.

A World That’s Melting—Literally

As if personal struggles weren’t enough, we’re also grappling with existential threats like climate change. Our earth is literally melting, and yet, meaningful action is stymied by political gridlock and corporate greed. What kind of world are we leaving behind? One where the air is unbreathable, the oceans are rising, and opportunities are shrinking?

Meanwhile, our food is poison, filled with chemicals and additives that prioritize profit over health. Housing, another basic need, is being snapped up by foreign investors, driving up prices and pushing homeownership out of reach for the average American. I’m not anti-capitalist—I just want a system where our generation can thrive as our parents did.

The Potential for Change

Despite these challenges, there remains a potential for America to fulfill its promises. However, foreign wars and mismanagement have derailed this progress, and over 200,000 people die from overdoses every year. We need to wake up to the urgency of these issues. Even as divisive as Trump has been, he has put people in place who aim to address some of these systemic problems. I’m no Trump supporter, but as our president, we need to hear him out because without change, an entire generation risks being forgotten.

Why Are We Here?

The root of this generational crisis isn’t a lack of effort. It’s a system that has fundamentally changed. Housing costs have soared, wages have stagnated, and the cost of living continues to rise. Meanwhile, the opportunities our parents had—affordable education, stable jobs, and pathways to homeownership—have all but disappeared.

This isn’t just a personal story; it’s a generational anthem. Many of us are terrified to have kids, not because we hate children, but because we can’t imagine providing them with the same life we enjoyed growing up. And how can we? When we’re struggling to make ends meet, the idea of investing in the stock market or saving for a future feels laughable.

We are a generation that’s been let down, and it’s time to hold the system accountable. Our voices deserve to be heard, and our struggles deserve to be addressed. The American Dream may feel out of reach, but we can’t stop striving for change.

We need systemic reform:

1. Affordable Education: Tuition costs must be brought down, and student debt forgiveness should be a priority.

2. Fair Wages: The minimum wage needs to reflect the current cost of living.

3. Accessible Opportunities: Companies must reevaluate hiring practices to value skills and potential over connections and unpaid internships.

4. Healthcare Reform: Affordable healthcare must become a reality so that no one has to choose between medical care and financial stability.

5. Climate Action: Urgent steps must be taken to address the climate crisis for the sake of future generations.

6. Substance Abuse Crisis: Comprehensive programs must be implemented to address the overdose epidemic that claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year.

To anyone reading this who feels the same frustration: You are not alone. Together, we can demand better. Let’s make our voices so loud they can’t be ignored.