Direct correspondence to Christopher T. Stout, Department of Political Science, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 1000 Faner Dr., Mailcode 4501, Carbondale, IL 62901-4501 〈cstout@siu.edu〉.
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Original Article
Living the Dream: Barack Obama and Blacks’ Changing Perceptions of the American Dream†
Article first published online: 8 OCT 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2012.00915.x
© 2012 by the Southwestern Social Science Association
Additional Information
How to Cite
Stout, C. T. and Le, D. (2012), Living the Dream: Barack Obama and Blacks’ Changing Perceptions of the American Dream. Social Science Quarterly, 93: 1338–1359. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2012.00915.x
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 NOV 2012
- Article first published online: 8 OCT 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Objective
Our objective is to examine whether positive symbols of progress for the black community, such as Obama's election as president, increase black optimism in the American Dream.
Method
Logit regression and ordered logit regression with predicted probabilities and odds ratios.
Results
Using several surveys conducted between 1987 and 2010, we show that blacks are much more optimistic about the American Dream after Obama is elected to the White House, in spite of their worsening economic status.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that positive symbols of progress are a better gauge of the American Dream for blacks than objective economic indicators. Moreover, previous racial gaps in beliefs in the American Dream may be attributed to lack of black representation at high levels of government, rather than solely based on differences in socioeconomic standing.