Are we better off than ever?

An ex-Brit, who will remain anonymous, once said at a Meetup that Americans are better off than ever before. Many people were in disagreement. So this prompts the question and discussion:

Is this the golden age of American prosperity and freedom—or a time when progress masks deepening divides and new forms of hardship?

The Case for “Never Been Better”

By many traditional measures, Americans today enjoy unprecedented advantages. Violent crime rates have plummeted since their 1991 peak—down by more than half, with homicides and robberies falling even more dramatically. Life expectancy has climbed from 68 years in 1950 to 79.0 years today, and infant mortality has dropped from 29.2 to just 5.6 per 1,000 live births. The average household income has risen 49% since 1970 (adjusted for inflation), and access to entertainment, technology, and information is virtually limitless compared to any previous era. Streaming, social media, and the internet have democratized culture and opportunity, making it possible for anyone with a smartphone to access the world’s knowledge and creativity.

Civil rights have expanded since the last quarter of the 1900s: same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, and legal protections for many marginalized groups have grown (although we are seeing a retreat from civil rights today). Homeownership, long the cornerstone of the “American Dream,” remains at a robust 65.7%—a far cry from the 45.6% rate in 1940. For many, the American Dream is alive, if not always easy to achieve.

The Case for “Progress Is a Mirage”

Yet, beneath these averages, the story fractures. Most income gains occurred before 2000; since then, wage growth has stagnated, and productivity gains have far outpaced paychecks. The middle class’s share of national wealth has shrunk from 32% to 17% since 1983, while the top 1% now claims over 20% of all income—nearly double their share in 1944. The CEO-to-worker pay ratio has exploded from 42:1 in 1980 to 324:1 today.

“Better off” isn’t evenly distributed
The unevenness is really the core of the story. It’s not just that outcomes differ—it’s that the system now amplifies differences more than it used to, and those differences stack over time.

• High earners have seen large gains
• Middle and lower-income groups have seen slower progress
• Racial, geographic, and generational differences remain significant

For example, a homeowner who bought decades ago may feel far better off than a young renter today—even though both live in the same country and era.
People often focus on income (what you earn), but wealth (what you own) is where inequality really explodes.

• Since the 1980s, a large share of economic gains has gone to the top 10%, especially the top 1%
• Generational differences: wealth grows through assets—stocks, real estate, businesses—not just wages. Those who already own assets (eg, Boomers) benefit from growth; those who don’t (eg, Millennials and Gen Z ), you’re mostly on your own.

Homeownership
Homeownership rates have flatlined since the late 1970s, and young adults are stuck at around 39% ownership—barely better than their grandparents. Intergenerational mobility has declined: children born into poverty are less likely to climb the economic ladder than in decades past.

Healthcare outcomes
Healthcare is one of the clearest places where inequality turns into real, physical consequences. In the United States, disparities show up not just in who gets care—but when, how, and with what outcomes. Millions remain uninsured or underinsured while even insured people may avoid care due to high deductibles.

Healthcare outcomes, while improved overall, reveal stark disparities. The U.S. now ranks 31st among industrialized nations for infant mortality, down from 12th in 1960. Black infants die at more than twice the rate of white infants, and life expectancy for Black and Native American populations lags significantly behind whites and Asians. Since the overturning of Roe, women’s reproductive healthcare has been sharply curtailed in a majority of states.

Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech faces new threats: government surveillance of social media is widespread, with chilling effects especially among minority and activist communities. The “spiral of silence” is real—many self-censor, fearing reprisal or loss of livelihood. And the impact has been felt unevenly, with non-citizens and members of some political parties experiencing the more extreme limits more heavily.

Civil Rights
Discrimination persists and, in some cases, intensifies. Over 530 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in 2024 alone; 27 states now ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth, with six making it a felony. LGBTQ+ people of color face staggering rates of poverty (up to 59% for Native American transgender women) and violence (61% of transgender homicide victims are Black women). Racial and ethnic minorities continue to experience higher poverty, lower wealth, and worse health outcomes.

Outlier Groups: The American Divide
For some, the “best of times” narrative rings hollow. Native Americans endure high poverty, health disparities, and limited access to technology. The rural poor face barriers to healthcare, education, and broadband. The U.S. leads the world in incarceration, with prisoners stripped of civil liberties and opportunity. Undocumented immigrants live under constant surveillance and legal precarity. For these groups, the American promise remains elusive—if not out of reach.

Optional Discussion Questions

1. Is the “average” American experience a myth?
How do outlier groups—by race, class, age, geography, or identity—reshape our answer to whether Americans are better off today?

2. Does technological and cultural access outweigh economic and social divides?
Has the democratization of information and entertainment truly leveled the playing field, or do digital divides reinforce old inequalities?

3. Are rising incomes and safety enough if inequality and mobility worsen?
Should we measure progress by averages, or by how the least advantaged fare?

4. Is freedom of speech expanding or contracting in the digital age?
How do surveillance, cancel culture, and new forms of discrimination challenge our assumptions about liberty?

Optionally, as usual, bring a dish or beverage to share.