Affiliated Institution
How does happiness and freedom change over time? Definition of happiness by American media advertisement, and the 1931 concept of the American Dream by James Truskow Adams
Culturally it is believed that in the olden days, the happiness of the society was considered as superior to individual happiness. It was not all about what is good for the society and the people were contented with that (Chan, Wing-tsit, 1963). This is far from the truth because if people were indeed contented with the happiness of the society as theirs, then the change to happiness being all about the individual would not have taken place.
The definition by the American Media of happiness is that money brings happiness. This money turns you into a celebrity and fame is the other source of happiness. This has turned very many young people into looking for fame, money and power because they believe that is truly where happiness is (Frey Bruno, 2001).
According to James Truslow Adams, true happiness is not achieved by the inventions and ownership of motor cars, it is not due to earning high salaries, it comes from allowing men and women their freedom. Freedom is to be able to achieve their maximum potential and attain their fullest stature. This to him, he believes that this is not determined by the social class or position that one belongs to in a society.
This definition of upward social mobility through hard word still holds up to today (Library of Congress, 1931). One can only be happy and contented if they achieve what they always dreamt of, this is only possible through hard work.
References
Library of Congress. (1931), American Memory. “What is the American Dream” lesson plan
Wallis, Claudia, (2005), Science of Happiness; New Research on Satisfaction, time Publishers , New York
Chan, Wing-tsit,(1963), The Source of Happiness, Princeton University Press, Princeton
Frey Bruno et al, (2001), Happiness and Economics, Princeton University Press, Princeton
