1
00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:06,110
Struggling in America
2
00:00:06,119 --> 00:00:15,300
The United States of America is often seen as a nation
3
00:00:15,309 --> 00:00:19,020
in which the pursuit of happiness is not a dream but a reality.
4
00:00:19,029 --> 00:00:23,940
The sad truth is that although portrayed as an unusually easy life,
5
00:00:23,949 --> 00:00:27,770
life in America is as much of a struggle as in any other nation.
6
00:00:27,779 --> 00:00:33,240
For example, higher level education for Americans does not come easy.
7
00:00:33,249 --> 00:00:37,060
Although there are scholarships, grants and loans available,
8
00:00:37,069 --> 00:00:42,640
if the student fails to meet the criteria he is left with only personal resources to draw from.
9
00:00:42,649 --> 00:00:47,670
This takes him into a life with not only a school schedule to follow but perhaps,
10
00:00:47,679 --> 00:00:50,190
also, a work schedule and family life.
11
00:00:50,199 --> 00:00:55,330
These are often the difficulties that are not portrayed through the TV and movies.
12
00:00:55,339 --> 00:00:58,320
These are also the difficulties which many believe
13
00:00:58,329 --> 00:01:01,780
they will not encounter by attending an American college.
14
00:01:01,789 --> 00:01:05,060
In the second place, there is financial security.
15
00:01:05,069 --> 00:01:10,970
Many times what is portrayed of life in America is a life where “money is no object”.
16
00:01:10,979 --> 00:01:13,050
The fallacy in this is that,
17
00:01:13,059 --> 00:01:13,050
Each person has their own personal struggle
18
00:01:13,059 --> 00:01:13,260
and money is an object for the majority of the people.
19
00:01:13,269 --> 00:01:16,110
in spite of the comparatively higher wages available,
20
00:01:16,119 --> 00:01:18,300
the cost of living is also higher.
21
00:01:18,309 --> 00:01:21,690
Even though it may seem like one is making more money,
22
00:01:21,699 --> 00:01:30,330
just as much is spent in surviving.
23
00:01:30,339 --> 00:01:35,250
Thirdly is the belief that in the American way of life everyone has a good job.
24
00:01:35,259 --> 00:01:38,420
With the increasing advancements in technology,
25
00:01:38,429 --> 00:01:43,240
a well-paying job for those currently in the work force is getting harder to find.
26
00:01:43,249 --> 00:01:46,630
Those who have not been exposed to computers
27
00:01:46,639 --> 00:01:50,310
and other new methods of communication are finding this to be true.
28
00:01:50,319 --> 00:01:52,110
As it stands now,
29
00:01:52,119 --> 00:01:56,680
the job market is requiring at least a two-year degree from college,
30
00:01:56,689 --> 00:01:58,770
in order to make enough to live comfortably.
31
00:01:58,779 --> 00:02:02,480
Even then well-paid jobs are not easy to find,
32
00:02:02,489 --> 00:02:04,480
as it is sometimes believed because of the portrayal of life in America.