"Your American Dream Score" Quiz

[wildbeast]

This is an interesting quiz!  My score was 88.  What's yours?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/quiz-see-much-success-came-134838208.html

My soundtrack:
If your life had a soundtrack, it might feature Self Made by Little Big Town singing your praises for what you've done.

[Bateaux]

I got a 56. 

[bacchi]

I got 56 as well, which is surprising given that I grew up in the 'burbs in a 2 parent household and my parents paid for college and grad school. The quiz didn't ask about student loans.

[wildbeast]

What was your soundtrack?

Mine was Self Made by Little Big Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q0vCj1bqHM&list=PL-ViMNRGCrVRNmgnxlRYCCDshK_mLbbJo&index=25

It seems the quiz is geared more towards the circumstances that you had growing up, rather than as an adult.  A score of 56 is pretty darn lucky, isn't it?

[Undecided]

What was your theme song?

Mine was Self Made by Little Big Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q0vCj1bqHM&list=PL-ViMNRGCrVRNmgnxlRYCCDshK_mLbbJo&index=25

It seems the quiz is geared more towards the circumstances that you had growing up, rather than as an adult.  A score of 56 is pretty darn lucky, isn't it?

It seems odd that it doesn't consider the outcome.

[wildbeast]

What was your theme song?

Mine was Self Made by Little Big Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q0vCj1bqHM&list=PL-ViMNRGCrVRNmgnxlRYCCDshK_mLbbJo&index=25

It seems the quiz is geared more towards the circumstances that you had growing up, rather than as an adult.  A score of 56 is pretty darn lucky, isn't it?

It seems odd that it doesn't consider the outcome.

Well, I think the outcome is self-evident in terms of how it has affected your life (by it I mean the circumstances).  If we take bachi for example, the good circumstances continued through college and grad school and I imagine that as result he/she is doing pretty well.  And doing well has come relatively easily.

Someone with a higher score might also be doing well despite more difficult circumstances but I think there is a price that is paid in the process.  And I think that's why they chose the theme song.  Those with more difficult circumstances often forget just how much they've accomplished and it's a good reminder.

[wildbeast]

Note scores range from 45 to 91.  The lower the score the more you had to overcome.  Higher scores indicate you had it easier.

No, dude!  It's the opposite.  :)

[JayhawkRacer]

Note scores range from 45 to 91.  The lower the score the more you had to overcome.  Higher scores indicate you had it easier.  63 for me, somewhere in the middle.

It's definitely the other way around. Here's the breakdown:

<53: Nearly every factor has been working in your favor.
54-65: The majority of factors have been in your favor.
66-79: You've had more working against you than for you.
80+: Almost every factor has been working against you.

[Sarah Saverdink]

This is a good quiz, although it does leave some items out. I am absolutely aware of the fact that a huge reason my husband and I are so successful is that privilege has worked in our favor at almost every turn. Yes, we've both "worked hard" over the years, but the game was rigged in our favor from the beginning. Coming from highly educated and financially stable households are two of the biggest factors in my opinion. Being non-minorities is another major contributor across all facets of life.

[Optimiser]

I got a 53. Not surprising. I grew up in a 2 parent household in the suburbs and went to private school.

I should probably be better off financially than I am considering all of my privilege. Becoming a dad before I was ready and getting married and then divorced before I had planned on it didn't help though.

[bacchi]

Note scores range from 45 to 91.  The lower the score the more you had to overcome.  Higher scores indicate you had it easier.  63 for me, somewhere in the middle.

It's definitely the other way around. Here's the breakdown:

<53: Nearly every factor has been working in your favor.
54-65: The majority of factors have been in your favor.
66-79: You've had more working against you than for you.
80+: Almost every factor has been working against you.

Oops, reading comprehension.

Yeah, 56 is pretty privileged then.

[Jouer]

I got a 60 which is lower than I expected since I grew up in a low income single parent family in a 2 bedroom basement apartment. Seems I got a lot of points for being healthy and educated. Also scored points for being a white male.

[RetirementDreaming]

My score was 74.

If your life had a soundtrack, it might include Tubthumping by Chumbawamba, as a sign of what you've done with the opportunities you've had.

[Luck12]

I got a 56.  Pretty privileged for someone who was on Pell grants throughout college. 

[Bracken_Joy]

I got a 67, which surprised me. I feel much more privileged than this reflects.

And my soundtrack was "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.

[Raenia]

I got a 67, which surprised me. I feel much more privileged than this reflects.

And my soundtrack was "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.

I got the same, and was very surprised.  I expected to have a much lower score - I don't feel like I've had to overcome, well, anything really.  Other than being female, but I haven't felt that much as a hurdle either.

[Frankies Girl]

77. Wow.

[south of 61]

I got a 67, which surprised me. I feel much more privileged than this reflects.

And my soundtrack was "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.

I got the same, and was very surprised.  I expected to have a much lower score - I don't feel like I've had to overcome, well, anything really.  Other than being female, but I haven't felt that much as a hurdle either.

Same - I got 67 and I don't feel like I overcame anything big.

[Dicey]

I got a 60. The surprising thing was that there was no distinction between college degrees. Sure, I graduated and have a diploma, but it's an AA from a Junior College, wah, not the same thing! FWP, I know ;-P. As a cancer survivor, my gratitude for all I've been given is off the charts.

Oh, and I got Elvis Presley's version of "You'll Never Walk Alone". Whatever.

[Ocinfo]

67 and definitely overcame some obstacles. Grew up in lowest income quintile but reached top 5% by age 30.


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[RWD]

49 here. I also was expecting this to be more about where you are now rather than what you had gone through. Someone could easily have a perfect childhood, get all the breaks in the world, and throw it all away in adulthood.

[LaineyAZ]

56, with the songtrack "Happy" by Pharell. 

[By the River]

I scored a 56 as well...seems like the mode for this board.   

[cj25]

60 with soundtrack "Youll Never Walk Alone" by Elvis.

[Chris22]

53.  I went to public schools, but they were in Connecticut in the 'burbs, so...

[ScottsdaleSaver]

63 for me. The summary, while vague, is accurate. I've had several factors I've had to overcome - female, from a traditionally poor area with poor public education - but I also have had many working in my favor - access to great public higher education at a reasonable price in a neighboring state (ahh, the 90's/early 00's), a strong group of peers with a similar background to mine & similar goals of movin' up and out, white privilege, and what can only be described as pure luck thrown in for good measure.

And my soundtrack is "Believe" by Justin Bieber...does this mean I have to go listen to Justin Bieber now?

[tarheeldan]

Also 56, seems to be a common number here!

[babystache89]

60 with soundtrack "Youll Never Walk Alone" by Elvis.

twinsies

[TwoWorlds]

60

[begood]

Another 56, with the soundtrack "Imagine" by John Lennon. I definitely had a privileged upbringing - married parents in a college town where many our friends were associated with the university - and the setbacks I did have were cushioned by financial security, a supportive community, and a steady spouse.

[Mustache ride]

53

[Dave1442397]

53 for me, which makes sense. I grew up in a different country, with a very stable family life.

As someone else said, you could grow up with everything in your favor, but still end up in a bad situation.

I know a guy who comes from a rich family. All his siblings are very successful and healthy. At some point, something happened that caused him to start eating non-stop. Last time I saw him he was just over 550 lbs. Since then he has lost his job, has gone on welfare, and is generally not doing well.

[Undecided]

What was your theme song?

Mine was Self Made by Little Big Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q0vCj1bqHM&list=PL-ViMNRGCrVRNmgnxlRYCCDshK_mLbbJo&index=25

It seems the quiz is geared more towards the circumstances that you had growing up, rather than as an adult.  A score of 56 is pretty darn lucky, isn't it?

It seems odd that it doesn't consider the outcome.

Well, I think the outcome is self-evident in terms of how it has affected your life (by it I mean the circumstances).  If we take bachi for example, the good circumstances continued through college and grad school and I imagine that as result he/she is doing pretty well.  And doing well has come relatively easily.

Perhaps, but there's a big difference between growing up in an environment with significant challenges and lacking important support, then landing in a (real) middle class lifestyle as an adult, on the one hand, and growing up in the same situation then landing in "the 1%," on the other hand. Both may be covered by "doing pretty well," but I think the relative challenge presented by disadvantages increase at an accelerating rate higher "up" the "scale" of outcomes, and the effect of a little more challenge on those "elite" outcomes seems to be much more pronounced than on more modest ones. (All based purely on my experiences and observations, of course.) And to me that's why it feels strange to talk about an "American Dream Score" without considering where someone ends up. 

[BeanCounter]

That was cool. The description was pretty darn accurate.

[dreadmoose]

I ended with a 60/100 and the soundtrack "With a little help from my friends - Joe Cocker"

I think I got more breaks than that number really shows as well, definitely believe I'm blessed with privilege in most aspects of my life. Working hard has been quite easy for me to accomplish with raises / promotions happening fast and furiously.

[Roots&Wings]

^Hey same! 60, soundtrack "With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker, as a sign you remember those that helped you along the way. Seriously lucky in so many ways.

[mm1970]

70.  "Try Everything", Shakira

[Vindicated]

I got a 67, which surprised me. I feel much more privileged than this reflects.

And my soundtrack was "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.

I also had a 67, pretty balanced.

My song was "Somewhere over the rainbow", which I feel matches me pretty well.  I'm always thinking about the other side of the rainbow... "where trouble melts like lemon drops, high above the chimney top, that's where you'll find me."

[stoaX]

60.  I think I'm more of a high 50's.  Soundtrack was "I never wanna be your Dog" by Sid Viscious  "With a Little Help From My Friends".

[pachnik]

I came in at 70 with a soundtrack of "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson.   I guess even though I am a Canadian I am living the American dream.   :)

[WhiteTrashCash]

I scored a 74, which is a lower number than I expected. I guess it really helped that I went to a good public school and my parents stayed together. So, yay me!

[Caoineag]

81/100 Soundtrack is Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen.

Well I knew my background was a little on the marginal side but surprised I got so high a score. A long way from my life now though so no regrets.

[Lila8]

67/100

Your score of 67 means you've had just about as many things working in your favor as factors you've had to work to overcome.

If your life had a soundtrack, it might include The Climb by Miley Cyrus as a symbol of the hopeful journey you've been on.

[Dicey]

60 with soundtrack "Youll Never Walk Alone" by Elvis.

twinsies

Nope. Triplets. See reply #19.

[Dicey]

My song was "Somewhere over the rainbow", which I feel matches me pretty well.  I'm always thinking about the other side of the rainbow... "where trouble melts like lemon drops, high above the chimney top, that's where you'll find me."

I love this version, so here it is for you to enjoy:

https://g.co/kgs/BGGUdS

[big_slacker]

74/100 here. I guess the point of this quiz is to show that 'coming from nothing' and 'pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is a bit of a myth. And I would agree with that even with a relatively higher score. Having two parents at home and having some of the professional mentors that I did are both things I'm eternally grateful for, regardless of the 'bad' stuff.

[SomatoseVisions]

Another 67 here. Not terribly surprised by the outcome. In addition to the expected benefits stemming from my ethnicity, I benefit from having a strong social network, good health, use of public services, and access to good education. All nice reminders for the days that feel longer than others.

[Moustachienne]

56 and Happy by Pharrell.  But since I'm living the Canadian Dream I'll make that Four Strong Winds or maybe Mon Pays.  :)

[damnedbee]

70. Stronger by Kelly Clarkson.

Yeah, I've overcome some stuff in life. Part of the reason I'm so amazed by the quest for FIRE is that I never envisioned something like this would be possible. Yet it totally is. Amazing!

[Joeko]

67.  Don't stop believing- Journey