Yes, that is what i am saying- the degree that the Self-Made Man can be self-made in the US also causes all the more turmoil for those who crave being self-sufficient/successful and aren’t. “If I’m in the place where i can pull myself up by my own bootstraps (and I’m not), is it a failure on my part? Or is the promise of this place a lie?”

Rags-to-riches is basically the American Tale – with some good reason. (On other hand from the “poor them” take above), when the perception of how this is achieved changes from earning it to being swept up in it/major success being easily grasped, i think the amount of gnashing of teeth grows. As you imply in your post, superstardom requires a remarkable confluence of reasons, many simply happenstance and fortuitous, not the least of which includes (generally ) legitimate musical and vocal skill.

Also ties to the immigrant observation – their perception of what The Dream is, and how it’s had. (Likely a perception seasoned by knowing that a simple dream isn’t necessarily achievable: raising a family and pursuing employment in a steady, safe(r) environment). It’s a more realistic (and sensible) perception.

There’s an almost willing-deafness in the contestants leaving the American Idol judging upset- their “dreams” are “shattered” but it was being turned down that is to blame – not the brazen, non-parental statements of the Judges letting them know that “no, you do not have a good voice.” In this way, the nonsensical idea that you can achieve ANYTHING! you put your mind to, the deception is shared by the parents and pumped-up child. (Or, perhaps, the critiques don’t even show up on their radar, being simply more attuned to a Yes/No set-up instead of seeing themselves on a spectrum that they should be seeking to improve upwards.)

My own experience also suggests that you’re onto something re: immigrants, although I might add second generation immigrants in there. But again, there is a potential book in the observation. Why is a working family and honorable work no longer enough for some? Or maybe it is, and we just don’t hear about it because of the character of media coverage.

Finally, you mean that Lady Gaga can’t really sing? I’m shattered.

(Noted: first-generation immigrants to the US often seem to have a different definition of how this Promise is fulfilled: to them, often a place to raise a family in safely and pursue a successful living of any form is fulfillment of it).

The irony of using American Idol as the example is that modern voice & recording studio technology can erase the majority of glaring issues with a recorded voice — multimillion-dollar stars can (tragically?) be both tone-deaf and successful.

Well said. Your point that educators often perpetuate this is insightful. It’s like college professors encouraging their students to attend graduate school–”I did it, so it’s clearly the thing to do!” But often it isn’t the thing to do. Graduate school, or college, are wonderful opportunities for those who want and need them. But educators shouldn’t assume that because they went to college, no one else can live a complete life without doing so.

What is so frustrating about telling students they can be anything they would like is that they may miss out on wonderful opportunities to be successful in their own way. Not every student needs to go to college and, for many, vocational training could be a much better path to success.

And yet so often teachers assume that everyone should go to college and encourage students to go that route regardless of aptitude. This is rooted in the idea that a college education somehow leads to a life that is better or people that are better. Educators are often those who have bought in to this myth the most, that’s why they become educators, to “make a difference.”

Thanks for your comment.