How Married Couples Perceive the American Dream

America has long been described as a land of opportunity. It should come as no surprise, then, that the American public has traditionally been enamored with an idea that taps into this ethos—that of the “American Dream.” A popular interpretation of the dream holds that “[anyone] in the United States, regardless of class or position, can achieve success and enjoy a quality of life better than their parents if they are willing to work hard.” Families have long pursued the dream together, creating a shared sense of purpose and determination to overcome challenges that they face. What better way for an individual to enjoy a higher quality of life than with their loved ones?

However, the allure of the American Dream seems to have waned in recent years. At this present moment, the public seems extremely hesitant to fully embrace the tenets that it contains. Modern challenges such as economic disparities and rising costs of education appear to have shaken confidence in the dream; numerous studies now indicate diminishing confidence in Americans’ financial futures. In a recent poll published by the Wall Street Journal, for example, a mere 36% of respondents believed that the American Dream still held true today. The declining belief in the dream poses a profound challenge to a narrative that has long held the potential to unite Americans when few other ideas could. 

But is there a more optimistic group? Yes, those who are married. Compared to the rest of the public, those who are married appear to hold a more positive view of their own economic trajectories. Findings from the 2022 American Family Survey (conducted annually by researchers at Brigham Young University) illustrate this phenomenon. On one portion of the survey, respondents were asked to evaluate their own economic standing relative to their parents at corresponding times in their lives: are they “better off,” “about the same,” or “worse off” than their parents were? Married respondents were over 10% more likely to believe that they were “better off” than their parents were at their age, in direct contrast to individuals who are not married. Similarly, the married were 10% less likely to believe that they were “worse off,” indicating that their heightened optimism corresponds directly with a departure from pessimism and not merely just a slimming of ambivalence. While some may argue that this optimism is attributable to specific, generational mindsets, it is worth noting that this optimism is consistent across different age groups. Among both the old and the young, married couples maintain their brighter outlook.

This heightened sense of optimism among married couples does not end with perceptions of their own prosperity—it also projects into the future for the generations that follow. Some Americans seem to recognize the possibility of economic prosperity for past generations, but they are more hesitant to believe that future generations will continue in their upward trajectory. However, when respondents were asked if they believe that their children will be “better off” than they are at a corresponding age, married couples were again more likely to believe that they would be, this time at a rate more than 5% higher than non-married individuals. These higher rates of positivity mark a stark divergence from the national narrative that is becoming increasingly more cynical regarding the economic prospects of future Americans.

Marriage, as an institution, seems to provide a sense of security to respondents. But it’s important to acknowledge the potential for reverse causality in this analysis. Married couples seem to perceive greater economic stability and resilience, but it is crucial to consider that individuals with more positive outlooks might be more inclined to enter (and maintain) marriages. The observed relationship between marriage and optimism could be a two-way street of sorts, where marriage contributes to an optimistic outlook, but pre-existing optimism influences one’s decision to marry. 

Nevertheless, the idea of marriage as a partnership remains central. Marriage allows individuals to share goals and resources and make important decisions together. This joint approach to matters (including finances) lends itself to confident decision-making and secure economic foundations. Perhaps most importantly, marriage fosters an environment for stable families— ones who are more secure, interconnected, and ultimately more optimistic. 

Belief in the tenets of the American Dream can foster unity and bridge ideological gaps. Thus, nurturing and revitalizing faith in the possibility of a better life for everyone represents a pivotal step towards uniting the public. How does this restorative process begin? If we are to rekindle belief in the American Dream, then it ought to begin at the level of the family; the optimism that we see among married couples regarding future generations presents a compelling case for the influence of family dynamics on one’s outlook. The positivity found within married relationships has the potential to ripple outward, infusing society with a broader hope for generations to come. Advocating for policies that both emphasize and enhance family stability (like family counseling and parental support programs) is a good start, as is implementing educational initiatives that stress the benefits of marriage with regards to stable family environments. Initiatives that alleviate economic pressure on parents could also help eliminate some cynicism while encouraging healthy relationships. These measures could foster an environment that promotes strong marriages and rebuilds belief in the American Dream, ensuring that it stands as a beacon of hope long into the future. 

Bryant Lee is a senior at Brigham Young University currently pursuing a major in Political Science with a minor in French. Outside of academic pursuits, he enjoys watching baseball, finding solace in the pages of a good book, and advocating for the use of the Oxford Comma.