Reading for June 27: NYT Article

The New York Times article, "The Five-Bedroom, Six-Figure Rootless Life” details the life of the Link’s family and how living the “American dream” is not all what it seems to be.

Mr. Links earns $200,000 a year, has a comfortable home, can afford the luxuries in life, and is able to support his children in one of the best schools in the county. But he is the breadwinner of the family with his wife sporadically volunteering at community events and only earning about $4,000. The nature of Mr. Link’s job means that he and his family must relocate from time to time and so their social capital in essence is ever-changing as they must constantly navigate through new communities and try their best to assimilate and make new friends.

At first glance, the Links’ seem to be living a life that the average American strives for. But it becomes apparent that they too are still struggling even with a stable income. Constantly moving around is taking a toll on Mrs. Link who is unable to make friends, as well as their children who must make new ones. Mr. Link’s job is also taking a toll on him as he finds himself constantly traveling. They also must constantly adapt to the lifestyles of their community; whether it be joining the country club, playing golf, or enrolling their kids in the soccer program.

What this article shows is that maybe it’s not just money that is important in life. Sure, money no doubt makes things easier but at what cost? There are different ways of looking at this article and determining whether or not their family is the ideal and something we should all strive for. But the high stress associated with Mr. Link’s job and the rootless life their family partakes in begs one to questions whether this really is the American dream.