Americans have always been entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In World War II Americans fought to preserve lives. Martin Luther King Junior fought for the entitlement to freedom. Many have immigrated to the United States in search of the pursuit of happiness. These entitlements were founded with our country and have been in the core of the U.S. since its birth, but Americans have been misled and have tried to make additions to the privileges of living in the U.S.

Sadly, it seems that the entitlements that are in the heart of the U.S. are being altered in the modern American. Americans have been misled into thinking that they are entitled to ‘the good life’ and prosperity, but the truth is that success and wealth don’t just fall from the sky. Americans do not deserve to be entitled to wealth and pleasure simply because they were born in the U.S.

Students are showing their views of American privileges in school. In 2009, a CBS study showed that high school freshmen had the worst study habits in fifteen years. These Freshmen do not care about school because they think that fame and fortune will come to them.

This view of American entitlement is not of little consequence. Americans thinking that they will be given everything they want in life will result in a dramatic change in the U.S. culture.

This large issue has potential to hinder America. The only way that the U.S. can be saved from this disaster is if Americans as a whole do something about it and readopt the views of entitlement that their forefathers possessed.

Americans are not entitled to wealthy and prosperous lives but to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This must be taught to the younger generation so that they actually know what being born in America means.

Schools should teach children to change their perspectives of school from “My parents make me go and ‘learn’ five days a week,” to, “School gives me the opportunity to take a step forward in making my biggest dreams come true.” Students must know that although their dreams of being the next big football player or one day owning their own company are possible, they will require hard work and effort to make into realities.

The next American generation needs to know exactly what being an American means: entitlement to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.