The inflation of the American dream:

“I don’t want kids. I don’t want 2.1 children and a white picket fence and a mini-van. I like my life how it is. Still…”

“But then they managed to do it anyway, and they got married in a big, gay church and then they all lived happily ever after in a house with a white picket fence, a minivan, and 2.2 children…god please just let it end now please please please… WHY???”

“Asian Man: You will grow up to have 2.3 children, live behind a white picket fence and drive two domestic cars that get bad gas mileage. Twinkie Boy: Yes. I will.”

“We usually remember the 50s as the movies present it, America’s golden decade, a time when Elvis was king, baseball was America’s pastime, and everyone had a white picket fence and 2.4 children.”

“Women often dream of the “big white wedding,” the “house with the white picket fence,” the 2.5 children, etc., etc. Don’t do this! The image is fine, but it leads to unreasonable expectations.”

“There are plenty of good people who live lives of prevailing middle-class standards — a white picket fence, 2.6 children, and all that — and who are certainly individuals, with their own unique stories and their own unique lives.”

“Today I am feeling maternal – this from a woman who cannot make her own bed – what a great role model. Today I want a white picket fence, 2.7 children, a puppy – and for a note of discord, I want my puppy to be a big-assed rottweiler.”

“Work 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. Enjoy your weekend. Aspire for the white picket fence, the 2.8 children, the dog and the new car. Graduate and find yourself behind the counter of a fast food restaurant.”

Total Google search results for “white picket fence” and “2.x children”:

2.1: 5
2.2: 20
2.3: 67
2.4: 52
2.5: 276
2.6: 1
2.7: 3
2.8: 1
2.9: 0

For what it’s worth, the average American household with children has 1.89 children. Total Google search results for “white picket fence” and “1.89 children”: 0. For “1.8 children”: 0. For “1.9 children”: 0.

29 April 2004

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