Twenty-seven percent of American parents are American Dreamers.
These moms and dads are not much better off economically than Detached parents, but they are far more optimistic. They believe their children will have more opportunities than they did, and they are willing – eager, really – to invest time and effort into giving their kids any advantages. Education is of particular importance to American Dreamers. Almost all (92 percent) say that it is “very important, if not essential," that their children become highly educated; 71 percent of other parents feel the same way. American Dreamers are more likely than other parents to believe in public schools.
American Dreamers are more worried than other parents about predators, drugs, and other risks, and 68 percent say they invest heavily in protecting their children. They also say they invest heavily in shaping their children’s moral characters. While they are religious, they are not as concerned with religious dogma as Faithful parents; they are more similar to Engaged Progressives in trusting their own ability to decide what is right and wrong in any given situation.
Nine out of ten American Dreamers describe becoming “loving” as an “absolutely essential” quality for their children, compared with 50 percent of other parents; they are also more likely than other parents to hope that they become best friends with their children when those kids are grown. That said, they have a greater willingness than other parents to discipline their children, although only a quarter “strongly endorse” spanking.
The demographics: The American Dreamers are the only majority-minority parenting culture. They are 22 percent black, 26 percent Hispanic and 46 percent white. One in four live below the poverty line, 52 percent have a household income below $50,000 and 75 percent have less than a college degree. They are less likely to be married than other parents, but tend to have stronger extended family connections. They are concentrated in the South and lean Democratic, although more say they are Independents or have no party affiliation.
