Dan Hart, senior editor at The Washington Stand, recently reflected on the American Dream and its endurance in his article, “American Dream 2.0: The Remarkable Rise of J.D. Vance.” Through the story of J.D. Vance—a man who rose from a turbulent childhood to become the vice president-elect of the United States—Hart highlights the resilience of this iconic dream and underscores the valuable Christian lessons within it.
Traditionally, the American Dream has symbolized the belief that anyone, regardless of background, can succeed through hard work and determination. However, as Hart observes, recent years have seen a rise in pessimism, with many intellectuals, pundits, and the public declaring the Dream dead, pointing to rising inequality and a sense that hard work no longer guarantees upward mobility. Economic studies suggest that half of today’s working Americans earn less than their parents did, adding weight to this sentiment. Nonetheless, Vance’s life story exemplifies the Dream’s continued relevance, demonstrating that despite significant personal and societal challenges, success and fulfillment remain possible.
Raised in the struggling steel town of Middletown, Ohio, Vance’s upbringing was marred by domestic strife and instability. He witnessed drug addiction, alcoholism, and violence, with over a dozen stepfathers moving through his home. Through these hardships, his grandparents, “Papaw” and “Mamaw,” provided a semblance of stability and deeply influenced him. His grandmother instilled values of hard work, discipline, and self-reliance—qualities that Vance credits for his eventual success.
Hart identifies a key Christian lesson in Vance’s story: the transformative power of mentorship and support. Christians, he suggests, can help renew society by fostering strong values within their own families and reaching out to support others who may lack these advantages. As Vance’s grandmother helped him develop a work ethic, Christians can mentor young people, volunteer in after-school programs, or assist at pregnancy resource centers to uplift those in need. Such efforts can offer young people the encouragement and guidance to overcome difficulties, making it possible for more “J.D. Vances” to rise above challenging circumstances.
As Vance’s path illustrates, his story was further shaped by formative experiences after high school. Following his enlistment in the Marine Corps, where he learned discipline and teamwork, Vance earned a degree from Ohio State and later attended Yale Law School, where he found mentors who provided career guidance. These relationships helped propel him from a life of hardship to a career in corporate law, technology, and eventually politics. In 2022, he won a U.S. Senate seat, and by 2024, he had become one of the youngest vice presidents-elect in American history.
While Vance’s future impact as vice president remains to be seen, Hart emphasizes that his story is a testament to the American Dream’s resilience. The rise of individuals like Vance, who have overcome difficult backgrounds, reaffirms that the Dream is alive, albeit facing modern challenges. Hart argues that the unique freedoms America offers—free enterprise, the rule of law, and constitutionally protected rights—create the fertile ground needed for the American Dream to thrive.
As Christians, Hart encourages us to view Vance’s journey as a call to action: with God’s grace, we are tasked with preserving and building upon the American Dream. By investing in our children and communities, mentoring those in need, and striving to live out values of service, integrity, and compassion, we contribute to creating not only a prosperous nation but a virtuous one.