Demographics+of+Happiness

=__Overview: Demographics of Happiness__ =

Overall, Americans are a fairly happy people with 34% reporting that they are very happy and 50% reporting that they are pretty happy. The below categories provide statistics on correlations of happiness with various characteristics such as gender, race, level of income, etc. It is important to note that these are correlations, not causes of happiness. Research shows that a person's level of happiness is largely influenced by individual traits such as life events (getting a promotion, scoring high on a test, getting a divorce) and psychological traits (optimism, self-esteem, a sense of belonging). Nonetheless, looking at happiness from a demographical standpoint provides an important insight into happiness and the general population. [|3] Help · About · [|Blog] · Ter = =

=__Income__=

When it comes to the age-old question, "Does Money Buy Happiness?" the answer appears to be yes. 49% of families earning $100,000 a year or more report that they are very happy when compared to only 24% of those making below $30,000 a year. However, this doesn't exactly mean money leads to happiness. Happiness could lead to money, in fact. Those are the limitations of correlations. Also, it is possible that the increase of happiness with increase of income levels off at a certain amount of money. This would mean that at that specific point of income, all material comforts are met. Also, it is worthy to point out that even though the average income of American families has more than doubled since the 1970's (with salaries adjusted for inflation), a consistent one-third of Americans have called themselves very happy since that time. So even though Americans have more money than ever, overall happiness has yet to increase. [|3] 

=__Race and Ethnicity__=

Blacks are somewhat less like to report being very happy than whites or Hispanics. This may be caused by a disparity in income levels among the two groups. One interesting finding is that although the happiness of whites is directly proportional to the level of happiness, no such correlation exists among blacks. [|3]

=__Political Party Affiliation__ =

E ver since 1972, Republicans have been consistently happier than Democrats. If one assumes that it is because Republicans generally make more money, it is disproved when you break down each party into three income levels: upper-class Republicans are happier than upper-class Democrats, middle-class Republicans are happier than middle-class Democrats and the same is true for the lower class. One may also assume that ideology plays a factor. After all, conservatives are happier than liberals. But conservative Republicans are happier than conservative Democrats and moderate/liberal Republicans are happier than liberal Democrats. This correlation seems to be unexplainable. [|3] 

=__Age and Gender__=

There is virtually no difference in happiness between gender and only slight variations in age. However, data shows that the young are less happy than the middle-aged and elderly. This variation is greater among males also. [|3] 

=**__Teen Depression Affects Adulthood__**= This article looks at how depressed childhoods affect adulthood negatively. People who had MMD in their teen years are more likely to face adulthood depression, pessimism, and have a more negative habits 4. It discusses how much more likely adults are to have MMD, and works into demographics as such. The article also warns adults who had MMD in their teens to be wary of adulthood signs of depression 4.

__**Child Demographics**__  Happiness is often portrayed with society's youth. And that is a rightful corrilation... most of the time. Happiness is caused mainly by the self assesmet of one's own appearence and personality 1 . The differences in clothing or money do not play a key role in the self assessment of small children. This takes away a great deal of stress that the average adult or adolecents may put on themselves. However, the happiness of childeren is very much affected by the approval children recieve from their parents 1 . Because of this, the happiness of childeren can vary from hour to hour do to external stressers (report cards, sporting event, etc.) 1 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. The general happiness of childern generally grows until puberty. During these years of adolecents, the overall happiness in a childs life drastically decreases. This is no suprise, for at this period in one's life, self appearence, self esteem, and social aproval are on the forefront of a child's mind. After a child leaves the years of puberty, happiness generally increases as they age <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">1 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">.

Childern under the ages of adolecents seem to be more happy as well do to their ability to laugh. According to studies, pre-school students laugh, on average, an incredible 300 times a day <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. This is compared to the 15 laughs that the average adult expiriences daily <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. Laughter is able to activate happiness into the body by releasing endomorphines ("happy hormones") into the body <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. Laughing also cleanses the body through steady breathing, active blood flow, and light stimulation of the body's muscles <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: super;">2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Resources

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 88%;">1 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 79.2%;">. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 87.12%;">"Are kids happier than adults?" <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">2. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 89.1%;">Laughing and Happiness: When a child can teach an Adult <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 3. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 88%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Are We Happy Yet? 4. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teen depression can affect adult happiness <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 79.2%;">5. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happiness Graph <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 88%;"> 6. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Demographics of Happiness