--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Is this what growing up \"without\" means…" description: "\"“Is this what growing up \"without\" means — that I can (almost) afford a fancy coat, but can't enjoy it? What about the American Dream, the theory that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ce/terri-griffith-282031_america_is-this-what-growing-up-without-means-th_3157379.jpg" --- # Is this what growing up "without" means — that I can… ![“Is this what growing up "without" means — that I can (almost) afford a fancy coat, but can't enjoy it? What about the American Dream, the theory that with hard work and perseverance people can transcend the class into which they are born? I want to believe in it, but I don't. Class is about more…” quote by Terri Griffith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ce/terri-griffith-282031_america_is-this-what-growing-up-without-means-th_3157379.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ce/terri-griffith-282031_america_is-this-what-growing-up-without-means-th_3157379.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ce/terri-griffith-282031_america_is-this-what-growing-up-without-means-th_3157379.jpg) > ““Is this what growing up "without" means — that I can (almost) afford a fancy coat, but can't enjoy it? What about the American Dream, the theory that with hard work and perseverance people can transcend the class into which they are born? I want to believe in it, but I don't. Class is about more than money; it's about safety and security, knowing that what you have today, you will have tomorrow. It's about having faith and feeling safe in the knowledge that when my coat gets worn out, there will be other coats.”” Terri Griffith ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The American Dream promises safety and security through hard work, but class constraints limit true freedom and security. **In simple terms:** Dreams feel limited by class. Key Takeaway Address systemic barriers to equality. Themes Class Dream Security Work Equality Hope Society American Dream Mood reflective concerned Type essay critical When to use this quote - Policy debate - Personal finance - Community activism Key Concepts Social mobility Economic disparity Psychological safety Questions to Reflect On - What defines true security? - How can class barriers be broken? 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When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-blyleven/it-enrages-me-to-see-only-certain-players-singled-out-for-the-hall-of/) [Bert Blyleven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-blyleven/) > [“Blacks must learn that true freedom from poverty is available only through hard work and perseverance, not through affirmative action programs, protesting, or blind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rev-jesse-lee-peterson/blacks-must-learn-that-true-freedom-from-poverty-is-available-only/) [Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rev-jesse-lee-peterson/) > [Life is difficult no matter what, but hard work and perseverance make it a lot easier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/life-is-difficult-no-matter-what-but-hard-work-and-perseverance-make/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobe-bryant/great-things-come-from-hard-work-and-perseverance-no-excuses/) [Kobe Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobe-bryant/) > [Dig into almost every overnight success story and you’ll find about a decade’s worth of hard work and perseverance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/dig-into-almost-every-overnight-success-story-and-you-ll-find-about-a/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Hard work and perseverance trumps talent most of the time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-c-harrelson/hard-work-and-perseverance-trumps-talent-most-of-the-time/) T.C. Harrelson > [It was a miracle that I became an actress. 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