Spring has Sprung

Though AI is changing the job market, the need for creative artists and writers will remain constant.

According to a survey of 1,568 young adults conducted by the American University in Washington, D.C., their visions of the American Dream differ from those held by older generations. Youth prioritizes happiness, fulfillment, and the freedom to make life decisions above all else. Meaningful personal relationships follow, with financial success next. High school dropouts and college-bound students share the belief that they will have a happy, successful life. That is, until asked to consider political and environmental factors when their confidence diminishes. The study made me question the likelihood of their dreams being realized.

Understanding Finland’s Model of Well-Being and Its Lessons for America

Finland consistently ranks among the happiest countries in the world, a distinction attributed to several key factors: high levels of trust in government, robust social support systems, personal freedoms, a strong sense of community, and a comprehensive focus on overall well-being. The Finnish social safety net allows citizens to embrace the joys of nature and family life without the constant stress of meeting basic needs. Public funding plays a crucial role in supporting essential services such as education, healthcare, childcare, and assistance for the elderly. As Professor Arto Salonen eloquently states, “When you know what is enough, you are happy.”

In stark contrast, American society prioritizes individualism, which can lead to a lack of awareness regarding the collective welfare. True happiness, as evidenced by Finland’s success, is rooted in the well-being of the community. Those who are fortunate recognize their responsibility to care for those who are less fortunate.

If we aspire to make America great again, we must first address several human factors that create barriers to health, wealth, and security: intelligence, health, education, wealth, and age.

• Intelligence Distribution: The breakdown of intelligence categories reveals significant disparities:
  • Genius (130–145 IQ): 6.6 million
  • Gifted (115–130 IQ): 46.6 million
  • Above average (100–115 IQ): 113 million
  • Below average (80–100 IQ): 113 million
  • More below average (70–85 IQ): 46.6 million
  • Most below average (55–70 IQ): 6.6 million Society must extend its support to the 53.2 million individuals in the lower two categories, many of whom struggle to earn a living wage.

• Health and Wellness: According to the CDC, approximately 70 million adults in the U.S. live with a disability. It is imperative that society provides care and support for these individuals, ensuring they have access to the resources needed to thrive.

• Age: As of 2023, about 17.3% of the population—approximately 50.15 million individuals—are retired and reliant on Social Security. Alarmingly, a quarter of these retirees lack supplemental savings, leading many into homelessness. Additionally, 21% of the population, or 72.8 million people, are under the age of eighteen. Society bears the responsibility for the well-being of both retirees and children.
• Education: Each year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school, and an estimated 39 to 40 million adults lack a high school diploma. This growing trend leaves many youth unprepared for the workforce. It is vital to provide training and job opportunities that engage these individuals and prepare them for success.

• Employment: Currently, more than 28% of Americans are seeking employment. While artificial intelligence presents new opportunities for skilled workers, it poses significant challenges for those in manual labor and low-skill jobs. Many fields, such as finance, media, and customer service, are particularly vulnerable to automation. Conversely, there will be a growing demand for roles in cybersecurity, healthcare, and skilled trades. Society must ensure that ample job opportunities exist at every skill level and commit to retraining programs to help workers adapt to technological advancements.

The U.S. population stands at approximately 346 million. With around 250 million people classified as young, old, or disabled, only about 95 million individuals are actively supporting the rest. This stark statistic highlights the urgent need for a collective effort to support vulnerable populations, particularly those unable to secure a living wage.

As we consider who should bear the responsibility for the well-being of the elderly, young, disabled, and unemployed, the answer likely lies in a combination of government action, community support, and individual responsibility. In Finland, a culture of shared responsibility prevails, where citizens contribute to a collective safety net that prevents homelessness and supports those in need. Wealth distribution is more equitable, minimizing the extremes seen in the U.S., where fortunes are often amassed for personal luxury rather than community benefit.

Finland’s democratic engagement stands as a testament to its citizens’ commitment to social welfare, evidenced by an 80% voter turnout in the 2024 elections compared to just 63.7% in the U.S. Entrepreneurs and businesses in Finland contribute fairly to the economy, fostering a low-crime environment and a generally content populace.

To emulate Finland’s success and meet the expectations of young adults, the U.S. must prioritize community welfare and equitable wealth distribution. We need to collectively determine how to care for our most vulnerable citizens and retrain those displaced by technological changes. Only through a communal approach can we create a society where happiness and well-being are accessible to all.

Resources

Website ( 2025) Reimagining The American Dream: Views from Young Americans. Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University. Retrieved from https://www.american.edu/sine-institute/

Website ( 2025) Dropout rates. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=16

2024 World Happiness Report. Retrieved from https://happiness-report.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/WHR+24.pdf

Colston, P. (2023) The Finnish Secret to Happiness? Knowing When You Have Enough. New York Times

Website (2024) CDC Data Shows Over 70 Million U.S. Adults Reported Having a Disability. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0716-Adult-disability.html#:~:text=The latest data, as having a disability in 2022.

Website. Dropout Rates. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/coj/status-dropout-rates

Website. Voting Turnout 2025. Statistics Finland. Retrieved from https://stat.fi/en/publication/cln47x0wh2keq0avtslszg9x0website.

Election results, 2024: Analysis of Voter Turnout in the 2024 election. Ballotpedia. Retrieved from https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024:_Analysis_of_voter_turnout_in_the_2024_general_election

Stelmah, A. 2025. How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming The Job Market: A Guide To Adaptation And Career Transformation. Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2025/01/10/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-the-job-market-a-guide-to-adaptation-and-career-transformation/

_________________

Art is available for sale. Spring Has Sprung is a 40” x 30” acrylic painting on canvas. It is available for $ 585 (includes shipping in continental U.S.) Purchase online at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/2033414#/ or contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com