Final answer:
The American Dream faces significant challenges such as a shrinking middle class and a less accessible pathway to upward social mobility. Economic factors, like the 2008 recession, have deeply affected job stability and wealth distribution, making the Dream more difficult to achieve for many Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the article 'Is the American Dream Still Possible?' by David Wallechinsky and considering the survey commissioned by PARADE and conducted by Mark Clements Research Inc., there are notable challenges in achieving and maintaining a middle-class lifestyle in America. The concept of the American Dream, being access to prosperity and success through hard work, has historically been a driving force in the narrative of American life. However, in recent years, this Dream has become more difficult to attain due to a variety of factors, including a significant recession, a shrinking middle class, and an uneven economic recovery.
A June 2014 CBS News Poll indicated that six out of ten Americans believe that the American Dream is no longer achievable. From 1971 to 2020, the middle class has decreased from comprising 69 percent to 51 percent of society, and its share of wealth dropped dramatically in a few decades. The cause for concern is not only about current living standards but also the feasibility of upward mobility for future generations, questioning the persistence of motivation that the American Dream once provided. The 2008 recession had a profound impact, resulting in over 8 million job losses and unemployment rates exceeding 10 percent. Although the economy has partially bounced back and unemployment rates have diminished, the sense of stability and confidence required to aim for and sustain the American Dream has been undermined. Opportunities that were once deemed readily available now come with additional barriers and require more than just hard work and education.