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Science Happiness in men and women reverses as they age
Science Happiness in men and women reverses as they age | Happiness in men and women reverses as they age |
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| by William Atkins | |
| Thursday, 31 July 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 2 From the data they analyzed, the two researchers found that men are the unhappiest, in general, in their 20s. Plagnol and Easterlin found that by the age of 34 years, more men than women are married. However, men overtook women in general happiness at around the age of 48 years. Featured Whitepaper
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Science DiscussionsHe adds, "Of course, one doesn't have to be married to be happy, but if that's something you really want - and it is for most people - then the failure to attain it can have an impact on your overall happiness.” [Reuters] In addition, the researchers also found that women have higher expectations than men with respect to their general happiness and satisfaction with their lives. The abstract to their paper states, "Aspirations, along with attainments, play an important role in shaping well-being. Early in adult life women are more likely than men to fulfill their material goods and family life aspirations; their satisfaction in these domains is correspondingly higher; and so too is their overall happiness. Material goods aspirations refer here to desires for a number of big-ticket consumer goods, such as a home, car, travel abroad and vacation home. In later life these gender differences turn around. Men come closer than women to fulfilling their material goods and family life aspirations, are more satisfied with their financial situation and family life, and are the happier of the two genders. An important factor underlying the turnaround in fulfillment of aspirations for material goods and family life is probably the shift over the course of the life cycle in the relative proportion of women and men in marital and nonmarital unions." The study is critiqued at the blog of Samuel J. Scott. The Scott blog begins by saying, “This new study is sure to be controversial.” Scott continues by stating, “Apparently, women are happy with their lot earlier in their lives, whereas men have bigger financial goals and tend to be unfulfilled during their 20s, both financially and in their family lives, which makes them miserable.” “But by middle age, men have fulfilled their financial and family life goals and have cheered up, whereas women are more likely to be unfulfilled and unhappy.” “The authors think a major factor underlying this is the shift in the proportion of men and women in relationships: men are more likely to be single in their 20s, and women are more likely to be alone in middle age.” Read more of the blog at “Men, Women, and Happiness.” |
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