The death or even the weakening of the American Dream is a false conclusion, according to at least one expert, and in a world full of opportunities for worry, the often-cited Gen Z concerns about home affordability and lack of jobs are a way of coping with stark reality.
"For decades, the American Dream meant upward mobility," goes one argument, "but many young people today define it as simply achieving stability."
Contrast that to the criticisms for decades from the political left, which dismissed the Dream as too materialistic, an argument that remains.
It is materialistic in some ways, says Dr Brad Schwall, president and CEO of the Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology, but part of the dream is facing facts and being creative, and that includes self-creation.
For instance, some members of "Gen Z" complain that the average age of home buying is now around 38, higher than in previous years -- but that's likely to eventually change, with improving home-to-population ratio.
"Though it may be frustrating to think that the dream of house ownership may be later in their lives, that they focus on what they want to accomplish and who they want to be" is essential, Dr. Schwall says.
Tough times for young people is not a new phenomenon, and the pendulum swings, "with views of longevity in jobs having [changed over the years] and I do think that goes back a little while.," he says.
Looking at the facts of the world around us, understanding and doing all we can with it, utilizing the freedoms America offers to, for instance, move to the areas we choose or start our own businesses, are ways of keeping the dream alive.
And when it comes to coping with the realities of today, parents of grown children can still help their kids by keeping them focused on self-determination.
"I think it is a matter of still being in support to help them navigate through all the changes that continue to happen," Dr. Schwall adds.
It's important to remember the personal freedoms that have survived for 250 years under a Republican Democracy, as opposed to the materialism of the most successful capitalist society in history.