{
  "id": 3686786,
  "title": "Why the dream of ‘having it all’ is finally dead",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/why-the-dream-of-having-it-all-is-finally-dead",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-27T06:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91596454/why-the-dream-of-having-it-all-is-finally-dead"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ange, a 32-year-old freelance consultant in experiential marketing, no longer adheres to the traditional concept of \"having it all.\" This typically included a stable corporate job, a wedding, a house, and the ability to buy nice material goods. Now, Ange works independently and finds it more challenging to achieve her dream life. Despite this, she remains hopeful as her career cannot be replaced by AI, which has been a growing concern in the workplace.\n\nYoung people are facing various challenges that threaten their ability to achieve even some semblance of \"having it all.\" These include AI disruption, the cost-of-living crisis, political strife, and a mountain of debt. A 2026 Deloitte survey found that 55% of Gen Z and 52% of millennials are delaying significant life decisions like starting a family or starting a business due to financial concerns. Furthermore, 37% of people in these age groups struggle to pay all their monthly expenses, and 47% live paycheck to paycheck.\n\nAssistant Professor of Management Stephanie Bilderback at Austin Peay State University emphasizes that disillusionment in the workplace should not be automatically attributed to a declining work ethic. In many cases, it is a rational reassessment of the value employees receive from their work. This reassessment has brought about a shift in dreams, with some, like Ange, detaching from the systemic paths imposed by a capitalistic society, particularly for women.\n\nThe rise of AI-powered advancements has also significantly impacted workers and their future aspirations. Tools such as AI chatbots and program-based solutions have become commonplace in workplaces. This shift has raised concerns about job security and the appropriate use of AI in the workplace. Some employees have faced layoffs due to AI investment, with companies like Block, Snap, and Cisco attributing it to the technology's adoption. Dev, a 33-year-old software engineer, believes that AI-driven economic disparity will widen and that he may need to work longer hours to achieve financial independence.\n\nThe cost-of-living crisis exacerbates the challenges young people face in achieving \"having it all.\" In 2024, nearly half (45.5%) of U.S. households did not earn enough money to cover their basic expenses, with this figure rising to 55% when looking at households of color. The number of households able to make ends meet has decreased by 10% since the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors contributing to this decline include high inflation, growing income inequality, political strife, and rising healthcare expenses. Some, like Ange, rely on side gigs and additional income streams to make ends meet.\n\nIn summary, the dream of \"having it all\" is becoming increasingly elusive for many young people due to a combination of factors such as AI disruption, the cost-of-living crisis, financial struggles, and the challenges posed by a capitalistic society. These challenges force individuals to reassess their aspirations and make difficult decisions about their careers and personal lives.",
  "summary": "Ange, 32, used to have a clear idea of what “having it all” meant: a stable corporate job, a decent-size wedding, a house, and the ability to buy nice material goods every so often. But, like many young people, Ange has found that checking all of these boxes has felt less and less possible. She no longer works a nine-to-five, opting instead to use her skills as a freelance consultant in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}